Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Battery Suggestions (Read 337 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.
Battery Suggestions
1990 Chevy 350, 8cyl. I am looking for suggestions for the recommended battery based on experience and knowledge. TIA. When I first bought this 3 1/2 years ago, I bought a battery simply to get it going...
LD 22', 1989 Custom Build. Chassis 1990 Chevy Van G30, 5.7l.
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #1 –
Mindi,
Are we talkin' truck engine battery or house batteries? You questions often seem mysterious like your avatar....
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #3 –
I have been using an Interstate battery for my LD's Ford engine that I bought from Costco. I have not been very happy with the way their batteries have held up but I do like the way Costco has handled replacements. I use a hydrometer to check individual cells and it just doesn't seem like the Interstate from Costco have held up. I replaced one again this year and was told that the free replacement coverage had been reduced to 2 years. (They have only charged me for the price increase the 2 previous exchanges)

Then again, with my wife's Subaru, the Costco battery needed replacing early but they exchanged it for minimal charge. I had to do the installation though.

When I needed a new battery for my Chevy pickup, I got a Delco through a Chevy dealer. I have never been disappointed in a Delco battery and the dealer was very competitive on the pricing too. I am curious as to what other people may recommend for a traditional flooded cell battery.

I think if I had to pay for a new battery for the LD's engine, I might get one at a Ford dealer.

Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Steve K.  - 
I have been using an Interstate battery for my LD's Ford engine that I bought from Costco. I have not been very happy with the way their batteries have held up but I do like the way Costco has handled replacements. I use a hydrometer to check individual cells and it just doesn't seem like the Interstate from Costco have held up. I replaced one again this year and was told that the free replacement coverage had been reduced to 2 years. (They have only charged me for the price increase the 2 previous exchanges)

Then again, with my wife's Subaru, the Costco battery needed replacing early but they exchanged it for minimal charge. I had to do the installation though.

When I needed a new battery for my Chevy pickup, I got a Delco through a Chevy dealer. I have never been disappointed in a Delco battery and the dealer was very competitive on the pricing too. I am curious as to what other people may recommend for a traditional flooded cell battery.

I think if I had to pay for a new battery for the LD's engine, I might get one at a Ford dealer.

Steve K.
I used up 2 engine batteries from Ford and they lasted longer than I expected.

Chris


Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #5 –
I use the KISS principle.
My 1988 was designed and is equipped for flooded Lead Acid.  I install a FLA 5 years ago and it is still going. I will stay with that until some thing forces a change.
i installed 200 watts of solar to save $200/month while an adult child lived in it in the RV parking place.  The solar controller does the battery equalization one a month.  I only plug in to pre cool the refrigerator. I added a third solar panel to accommodate adult children's computers for two day camping trips.  I will see how it does with CPAP when that time comes.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #6 –
I use a good 5 year battery from our local distributor. He handles a house brand battery that calls itself American Western but only in our area. His battery's last regularly 7 - 8 years. I think he once said the manufacturer was Johnson controls. Long story short, buy a good 5 year battery and keep it up. I hate changing a battery when it's -10.

Jon
1994 MB
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #8 –
I use Costco batteries for the starting battery in our LD, they are not the best but, as mentioned, they are easy to return and widely  available.
A longer starting battery life has been achieve by adding a needed wire, allowing using the Blue Sky 3000i solar controller to charge the starting battery, as well as the coach battery.

In case of a dead battery, our LD has an added marine battery switch that is wired so it can be used to jump start the engine.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
I use Costco batteries for the starting battery in our LD, they are not the best but, as mentioned, they are easy to return and widely  available.
A longer starting battery life has been achieve by adding a needed wire, allowing using the Blue Sky 3000i solar controller to charge the starting battery, as well as the coach battery.

In case of a dead battery, our LD has an added marine battery switch that is wired so it can be used to jump start the engine.

Larry


Wired to where/what? Do you have a backup batt.?

LD 22', 1989 Custom Build. Chassis 1990 Chevy Van G30, 5.7l.
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Mindispower  - 

Wired to where/what? Do you have a backup batt.?

The battery switch has a 2-gauge cable leading to the terminal on the engine’s starter that has a cable connected directly to the battery. The switch allows a direct connection between the coach and starting batteries, bypassing the battery isolator.
The coach battery is more than capable of starting a cold engine.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #11 –
Kent says:
"I also use a Costco chassis battery that I replace before the warranty expires. The replacement is cost free and has a new 3 year warranty."
As I understand that statement, you are returning a perfectly good battery for a free replacement.  Costco has a wonderful return policy, but if others do as you say you do, they won't be able to continue much longer.  Do you sleep good at night?
Rich
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Rich Gort  - 
Kent says:
"I also use a Costco chassis battery that I replace before the warranty expires. The replacement is cost free and has a new 3 year warranty."
As I understand that statement, you are returning a perfectly good battery for a free replacement.  Costco has a wonderful return policy, but if others do as you say you do, they won't be able to continue much longer.  Do you sleep good at night?
Rich


I am afraid you are way off the mark. I have never bought a battery from Costco. How you came to deduce this leaves me flabbergasted to say the least.
LD 22', 1989 Custom Build. Chassis 1990 Chevy Van G30, 5.7l.
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #13 –
Quote from: Mindispower  - 
Quote from: Rich Gort  -  17 minutes ago
    Kent says:
    "I also use a Costco chassis battery that I replace before the warranty expires. The replacement is cost free and has a new 3 year warranty."
    As I understand that statement, you are returning a perfectly good battery for a free replacement.  Costco has a wonderful return policy, but if others do as you say you do, they won't be able to continue much longer.  Do you sleep good at night?
    Rich

I am afraid you are way off the mark. I have never bought a battery from Costco. How you came to deduce this leaves me flabbergasted to say the least.

? ? ? Rich was clearly quoting Kent Heckethorn's post.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Battery Suggestions
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Mindispower  - 
I am afraid you are way off the mark. I have never bought a battery from Costco. How you came to deduce this leaves me flabbergasted to say the least.

Oh dear. I am so very sorry Rich....
LD 22', 1989 Custom Build. Chassis 1990 Chevy Van G30, 5.7l.