Advice on finding best new coach batteries

[JoeDS]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

I think you win. I don't see how you go wrong here.

Before I bought my RV I was thinking I needed to get those 6V batteries because the ACE 29.3 I was looking at had Residential Fridge. My RV came with the NAPA 31 with 105ah each so I have total of 210ah now. I check the water in batteries; but I don't like it even though I have easy access, and I don't want a distilled water filler upper or whatever it is called

So if I follow, if I could find two of these, I was would 2 smaller batteries (Group 29) with total of 240ah; maintenance free, 2 year warranty for total of $175 What am I missing? Will I be giving up something go from 31 to 29 that I don't know?

Before this thread, I hads assume my 1st set of batteries that I buy for this coach was going to be Group 31, AGM and as many amp hours as possible ,but most all of the AGMs are like 105 ah

AGMs are nice but pricey. Usually have a better warranty tho. As for me the group 31 wont fit in my Vegas tray. The two 29s are the biggest battery I can go with and at that price hard to beat.



My Dodge Diesel has 2 of the 31 series with like 1100 cranking amps each. Now hears a story no one is going to believe. My 06 Ram had 2 of those factory batteries, that I finally replaced after 10 1/2 years. Never had to add a drop of water!!!!!!

[Rysiek]

I just replaced on my 2015 Axis 24.1, factory installed Harris Batteries with OPTIMA D34M AGM BlueTop batteries. They are much smaller and will easily fit inside your storage area leaving plenty of room to work arround them including having finally an easy access to the battery breaker which is mounted in such a tight space.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Rysiek

I just replaced on my 2015 Axis 24.1, factory installed Harris Batteries with OPTIMA D34M AGM BlueTop batteries. They are much smaller and will easily fit inside your storage area leaving plenty of room to work around them including having finally an easy access to the battery breaker which is mounted in such a tight space.

Now I am getting confused. I thought Group refers to size? if so how it possible that Optima D34M be smaller than Group 29.

I google and could not find the rate ah or reserve time the OPTIMA D34M AGM BlueTop batteries?

Final, given both batteries have two warranties, maintenance free, why pay $170 more per battery for AGM? I know the Wal Mart EverStart Battery has 120ah so total of 240ah.

Unless I am missing something all I (think) want in a battery...

1. Fit with post not anywhere near risk of hitting something
2. ah I want at least 105 ah each but would like to have 120 ah or more / per battery
3. Maintenance Free ( when it dies I do what I do for my flashlight, take batteries out and put in new ones)
4. Price For $87 / battery versus $248/ battery; I could get new batteries Everstart batteries every year or even every other year if it were necessary.
5. Battery brand sold in common places so I could bring it for exchange if warranty situation did occur.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

Now I am getting confused. I thought Group refers to size? if so how it possible that Optima D34M be smaller than Group 29.

I google and could not find the rate ah or reserve time the OPTIMA D34M AGM BlueTop batteries?

Final, given both batteries have two warranties, maintenance free, why pay $170 more per battery for AGM? I know the Wal Mart EverStart Battery has 120ah so total of 240ah.

Unless I am missing something all I (think) want in a battery...

1. Fit with post not anywhere near risk of hitting something
2. ah I want at least 105 ah each but would like to have 120 ah or more / per battery
3. Maintenance Free ( when it dies I do what I do for my flashlight, take batteries out and put in new ones)
4. Price For $87 / battery versus $248/ battery; I could get new batteries Everstart batteries every year or even every other year if it were necessary.
5. Battery brand sold in common places so I could bring it for exchange if warranty situation did occur.

Group does refer to a specific physical dimension but a bigger group number does not necessarily mean a bigger battery:

[JoeDS]

The optima battery are re-portability more durable although not everyone finds that to be true. Their AMP Hour rating is considerably less than many of the larger wet-cell batteries although their are a lot of variables in methods of that rating.

Info from their website

https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-u...e-and-starting

Model: D34M
Weight: 43.5 lb
C20 Capacity:55 Ah
Post Type: dual SAE & 5/16 Stainless Stud
CCA:750 Amp
Width:6.88 in
Length:10.06 in
Height:7.94 in

A note about AGM batteries. No magic there. They are a lead acid battery but using a different construction technology. Here is a good article about them. Lead content is the key ingredient. Note the difference in weight between the two types. That will give you an idea. They excel in several ways but not all.

https://www.solar-electric.com/learn...echnology.html

Personally if you are going to spend $500 on 2 of them you might want to investigate Lithium battery technology. Many high end RVs are going that route.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Group does refer to a specific physical dimension but a bigger group number does not necessarily mean a bigger battery:

Got, so one should view group simply as a category or classification of size, but need to the bigger number does not necessarily mean bigger size.

I once had a Worldwide Battery Rep tell me that I my next set of batteries should be their Group 31 as if it it all of that and more too He may have talking down to me as to not confuse me, but I took his emphasis on Group 31 as if it really meant something.

FWIW, I did not see Group 29 or Group 31 on your chart? But no worries, I get the picture and understand. As long as the battery will fit, that is all I should be concerned with. For now I will assume the Group 29 is smaller than my existing Group 31. If I had to buy a battery today, (and I don't) That 120ah, maintenance free, and 2 year warranty for $87 has me wanting too

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by JoeDS

The optima battery are re-portability more durable although not everyone finds that to be true. Their AMP Hour rating is considerably less than many of the larger wet-cell batteries although their are a lot of variables in methods of that rating.

Info from their website

https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-u...e-and-starting

Model: D34M
Weight: 43.5 lb
C20 Capacity:55 Ah
Post Type: dual SAE & 5/16 Stainless Stud
CCA:750 Amp
Width:6.88 in
Length:10.06 in
Height:7.94 in

A note about AGM batteries. No magic there. They are a lead acid battery but using a different construction technology. Here is a good article about them. Lead content is the key ingredient. Note the difference in weight between the two types. That will give you an idea. They excel in several ways but not all.

https://www.solar-electric.com/learn...echnology.html

Personally if you are going to spend $500 on 2 of them you might want to investigate Lithium battery technology. Many high end RVs are going that route.

I had to Google "re-portability" and I am ashamed to say, I still don't think I am clear on what it means Whatever it is; not sure I have had to do it with my existing batteries?

The 55aH is the deal breaker for me, I know Optima are top quality batteries but capacity is one of main reasons for house batteries. I had a boat that came with 2 of the Optimas, I believe they were the Red tops and they were GREAT never an issue, but they were used mainly for starting, one was a backup. I never worried about running extended periods of time off my batteries while on the boat. My new boat has 2 Interstates but with the disconnect switches and I love it. No corrosion no mess.

These optimas are about 12 lbs lighter than my existing NAPAs Group 31 on RV, and the Group 29 Everstart is about 2 lbs lighter. Even so no way I pay $500 plus for the Optimum. If I was going to spend $400 and up, I would actually consider the 6VC batteries.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by JoeDS

The optima battery are re-portability more durable although not everyone finds that to be true. Their AMP Hour rating is considerably less than many of the larger wet-cell batteries although their are a lot of variables in methods of that rating.

Info from their website

https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-u...e-and-starting

Model: D34M
Weight: 43.5 lb
C20 Capacity:55 Ah
Post Type: dual SAE & 5/16 Stainless Stud
CCA:750 Amp
Width:6.88 in
Length:10.06 in
Height:7.94 in

A note about AGM batteries. No magic there. They are a lead acid battery but using a different construction technology. Here is a good article about them. Lead content is the key ingredient. Note the difference in weight between the two types. That will give you an idea. They excel in several ways but not all.

https://www.solar-electric.com/learn...echnology.html

Personally if you are going to spend $500 on 2 of them you might want to investigate Lithium battery technology. Many high end RVs are going that route.

Optimas are made by Johnson Controls, so any Interstate dealer can get them. My Interstate dealer got 2 Optima 31M batteries (105 amp-h) at a dealer meeting and both were sold as salvage because of cracks in the corner. The dealer filled the cracks and holes with hot glue and sold the to me for $150 total and said if they failed within 3 years, he would replace them at his cost. I used them in the previous class a for 10 years and they were still working when I sold the 1968 UltraVan.
I have a red top optima (24R) in my 1965 Corvair (318,000 miles) that is 11 years old and a yellow top (51R) optima in the 1961 Rampside (188,000+) that is 14 year old. They seem to be the only battery design that can stand up to the air cooled engine's heat. Plus, they do not out-gas and corrode the magnesium fan. The round cell design makes them somewhat inefficient in filling a small battery compartment with max amp-h capacity. Hard to beat the Walmart deep cycle/marine 29DC to get the max amp-h at the least cost the small Hurricane's battery compartment

[ducksface]

I too can tell the 14 year optima stories.
Not anymore.
If I make it out to the junkyard I'll get a picture.
I think I have five of them out there, red and yellow tops.
All lasted four years then went to 9volts and stay there.
All bought 2014 at the oldest.
I think I still have a good 1999 red top(OK, pink top. It sees a lot of sun) in a friend's welder....

I switched to oddessey(sear platinum is maybe the same thing.)
No.word as to longevity yet.
Optima in the past six or so years have been nothing special except they lay on their sides and you can't collapse a cell with offroading jolts and drops.
Time seems to kill them now.
My last one doesn't have 2,000 miles or 50 starts on it, but it crapped out anyway.

[JoeDS]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

I had to Google "re-portability" and I am ashamed to say, I still don't think I am clear on what it means Whatever it is; not sure I have had to do it with my existing batteries?

The 55aH is the deal breaker for me, I know Optima are top quality batteries but capacity is one of main reasons for house batteries. I had a boat that came with 2 of the Optimas, I believe they were the Red tops and they were GREAT never an issue, but they were used mainly for starting, one was a backup. I never worried about running extended periods of time off my batteries while on the boat. My new boat has 2 Interstates but with the disconnect switches and I love it. No corrosion no mess.

These optimas are about 12 lbs lighter than my existing NAPAs Group 31 on RV, and the Group 29 Everstart is about 2 lbs lighter. Even so no way I pay $500 plus for the Optimum. If I was going to spend $400 and up, I would actually consider the 6VC batteries.

You couldnt find "re-portability"!?!? Well small wonder, it only exists in the figments of my imaganation. Would you belive "reported" maybe

[Lt Keefer]

Plenty of videos on youTube about what brand of battery is the best. Most batteries come from a couple of manufacturers and most of the tests lean towards WalMart batteries being the best bang for the buck. The way I look at it, a couple of hundred dollars at WalMart or Sams every two or three years is one of the cheapest expenses on the coach. A tank of gas in California or Washington probably costs more than a pair of batteries at WalMart in Arkansas. Don't over think it.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

Plenty of videos on youTube about what brand of battery is the best. Most batteries come from a couple of manufacturers and most of the tests lean towards WalMart batteries being the best bang for the buck. The way I look at it, a couple of hundred dollars at WalMart or Sams every two or three years is one of the cheapest expenses on the coach. A tank of gas in California or Washington probably costs more than a pair of batteries at WalMart in Arkansas. Don't over think it.

Amen! Best post of the thread IMHO.