Replacement Battery

04-13-2007, 08:22 PM

Does anyone have any recommendations for replacement batteries? Ours is totally d-e-a-d.

Thanks.

**grill-n-go** · 04-14-2007, 04:22 AM

Battery requirements are driven by your camping habits. Do you normally go to campgrounds with electrical hook ups or mostly dry camping? Primarily weekend outings or do you go out for longer periods? There are several folks on this forum that have gone with two 6V batteries. You may want to visit http://www.batterystuff.com, they have a "battery tutorial" section which is pretty informative.

After trashing the battery that came with our TM I decided to go with two 6 volt AGM type batteries because AGM type batteries don't require maintenance.

I think that the key to selecting the size (Amp Hour Rating) of your battery is to assess your usage and getting a battery size that will enable you to stay above 50% or preferably 75% of capacity at all times. This will ensure optimum battery life (protect your investment).

Somewhere in the solar panel section Rocky Mountain Ray has a detailed analysis of how he calculated his power use.

**JonS55** · 04-25-2007, 06:05 AM

I didn't fool around. I got a group 31 Odyssey. It's what the military uses and it can sit for years and retain almost a total charge. They're expensive but then I'll never have to worry about it either.

Virginia Deacon · 04-25-2007, 10:34 AM

Our original Interstate battery had a cell go bad while we were at the Dixie Chapter Rally of the Trailblazers, in Jacksonville, FL.

I replaced it with a Johnson Controls battery from Wal-Mart. It's a 24DP-4 Deep Cycle battery and cost was about $65. I figure when I need to replace it again, I'll probably be near another WallyWorld store. I believe this battery has a two-year non-prorated period. WallyWorld took my old battery (no hassle, so I didn't need to dispose of it).

Our tow vehicle battery conked out in the driveway, as I was getting ready to hook up to the TM for our trip to Jacksonville. Had to buy a new battery for it, before we could leave. Of course, the blessing was that it didn't die while we were on the road, and I was able to go to my trusty local mechanic for a replacement battery! Two batteries for one trip; maybe I should buy stock in battery companies!

Happy Camping!

**kempert** · 04-25-2007, 11:10 AM

VA Deacon -

It looks to me like you should have bought stock in a battery company before you planned your trip.

**commodor47** · 04-25-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amp17408

Does anyone have any recommendations for replacement batteries? Ours is totally d-e-a-d.

Thanks.

Our TM (bought used from a private party) came with a Wal-Mart Everstart deep cycle trolling battery: part number 27DC-6. Seems to work fine (going on 3 years). I do keep an eye on the water level.

Link to photo: http://picasaweb.google.com/commodor47/Battery#

**Bill** · 04-25-2007, 03:35 PM

Dick and Jeri -

I am part of a solar power forum sponsored by Northern Arizona Wind and Sun. Solar power systems are particularly hard on batteries, because the batteries are subjected to constant and deep charge/discharge cyles. It is reported by one of the gurus on the group that those Everstart Deep-Cycle Trolling batteries are indeed deep cycle batteries (as Interstate Marine/Deep Cycle batteries ARE NOT), and that for deep cycle applications, they are one of the best batteries for the price that you can buy.

I have not used one myself, but plan to buy one when it's time to replace the OEM battery.

Bill

**commodor47** · 04-25-2007, 04:23 PM

Bill,

Thanks for the additional information on our battery. I have visited the Arizona Wind and Sun Web site . . . good information. Along those lines, as an aside- we built a passive solar energy home in 1978 and have enjoyed the benefits of solar space heating and solar hot water ever since.

**Denny_A** · 04-25-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commodor47

Bill,

Thanks for the additional information on our battery. I have visited the Arizona Wind and Sun Web site . . . good information. Along those lines, as an aside- we built a passive solar energy home in 1978 and have enjoyed the benefits of solar space heating and solar hot water ever since.

Ditto.... but in 1982!

100% passive envelope home...on the frozen tundra near Lammm..beau Field!

Denny_A

04-27-2007, 08:51 PM

In Commodor47's post from the 24 I saw a familure sight a Picture of a roasted fuse holder. The Glass fuse type fuse holder that TM used on his and my battery is not capabile of handling 30 Amps. I believe it is a fire hazzard. I replaced mine with a Maxi size Blade type auto fuse. Maxi fuses are available up to 80 amps. With a 30 amp fuse there is no chance of overloading the fuse holder.

P.S.
Electric Power is my life. I work on /in (they are that big) 1,000 Mega Watt generators.