bodar Posted September 9, 2015 Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 Approx 6 years ago we purchased DieHard batteries for our Class C. It's time to replace them and we are wondering if there is any other battery that is better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted September 9, 2015 Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 There are a lot of good brands, Trojan, Surrette and the like but if Sam's, Costco or the like have a true deep cycle RV battery that fits your rig I'd say go with that one at the much lower cost. What type battery do you need, voltage and size, for your rig? Someone will likely have a link to something good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodar Posted September 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 Thank you Stanley and we so appreciate your input. Costco it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodar Posted September 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 Stanley we had Interstate SRM-24 deep cell batteries with a 12-14 month guarantee that lasted 16 months. Honestly, we just don't understand why the battery mfgs have become so stingy with their warranties. We have been out and about today and Interstate only guarantees their batteries now for 12 months. Sears only 12 months versus the 4 year guarantee we had on the DieHard that lasted for over 6 years. Finally we found Les Schwab which has a 36 month guarantee for $119.00 each. We guess that will be our choice this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 I bought an AGM battery at O'Reilly's last month for my TV. 3 yr warranty. Clerk said manufacturers these days are starting to give 3 yr full replacement warranties. Batteries seem to last about 4 yrs. Probably cheaper for the manufacturers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Short warranties on sealed batteries makes sense to the manufacturer as even a slight amount of overcharging can really shorten their lives. Flooded (refillable) batteries usually get a bit longer warranty as do the more expensive AGM types mentioned above. Being cheap and willing to keep them watered I like the flooded type, at some point in life I'm going to get lazy enough to go with something like an AGM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest THE TRAILERKING Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 I have the Interstate's. Wet cell golf cart 6-volt. I did the mineral oil trick to them and now the gassing is kept to a minimum with no more mess. Very little adding of distilled water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodar Posted September 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Thanks to all of you for the input. We made a quick stop at O'Reilly's last night and having more time today we will check out the AGM batteries. TRAILERKING: What is the mineral oil trick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 You can pour some mineral oil into each cell on a flooded battery, it is supposed to reduce water use. There is a company called Thermoil or something similar that sold batteries that came that way. Google turned up the Thermoil info, http://www.thermoil.com/about/ which sounds interesting. I don't know either way but I do know in all the years I was RVing I saw one set of the Thermoil batteries. I have never done it to a flooded battery myself as I worry about getting warranty service if the dealer sees the oil, it makes taking the specific gravity of the cells a lot more aggravating and I worry about what happens when the electrolyte and oil slosh during travel and the oil gets on the plates. If I'd had water use issues I might have tried it to save a battery after I had exhausted the more conventional remedies but they always worked for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest THE TRAILERKING Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 I've had mine done for 3 years now and no problems. The oil floats well above the plates. No more adding as much water as I used to and the battery tops stay nice and clean. My batteries are way past any available warranty so I don't worry about that. The battery needs 12oz of mineral oil. That equals 4oz per cell for 6v and 2oz per cell for 12v. (I only did my 6v ones not the 12v) My 12v ones don't gas like the 6v ones. I drew out the electrolyte to the top of the cells with a turkey baster and saved it in a container. I then added 4oz of oil to each cell. I then finished by topping off the cells with the left over electrolyte. Has worked good for me and a lot of others that I've heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodar Posted September 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Very interesting information. We ended up getting the Les Schwab 36 month batteries this time. We will most certainly be back searching for your thoughts. Thanks again to all, Bob & Darlene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.