starting batteries, house batteries

[Don Bradner]

There is no perfect battery for a combined bank. The engine needs a lot of CCA,
but the house needs deep-cycle. The two are not found at their best in any
single battery type.

Since, with 6 batteries, any type will start the engine if reasonably charged,
most choose to put in deep-cycle. It is hard to beat a 6-volt golf cart battery
in that application. My coach came with 6 12-volt group 24s, and the footprint
of the taller 6-volt is very close, so I can fit them in. I boondock most of two
months every winter, and use a lot of power to run multiple computers routers,
satellite modems, etc., so I don't skimp. That means Lifeline AGMs. $120 each 18
months ago, probably more now.

Someday I may decide to find a place for a couple of big starter batteries, or I
may not. Hard to say.

On 6/1/2008 at 9:35 PM Ryan Wright wrote:

>Don,
>
>I take this to mean my '86 PT-40's (6) batteries are supposed to be
>tied together, yes?
>
>I was under the impression I had (4) house batteries and (2) engine
>starting batteries, until I left the marker lights on all night
>boondocking this weekend. The engine would not crank over in the
>morning. Started my generator and it ran for all of 2 minutes before
>blowing through a brush. Double uh-oh. Was able to start the coach
>with the aux battery switch, but just barely. I just went out and
>looked at my batteries and, indeed, they are all tied together.
>
>OK, so here's a question: Given this, what type of batteries SHOULD
>these (6) be? Previous owner put Optima Blue Tops on there. They don't
>last long boondocking. I'd like to replace 'em with something better
>and get a battery monitor to keep an eye on state of charge.
>
>-Ryan
>'86 PT-40 8V92
>
>
>On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Don Bradner
>wrote:
>> AFAIK, 91 was the first year that start batteries were split out. Mine is
>> 6+1 like Leroy's.
>>
>> Don Bradner
>> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
>> Eureka, CA
>>
>> On 5/29/2008 at 6:27 PM mbulriss wrote:
>>
>>>> My 83 PT40 had 4 6-volt batteries for everything.
>>>Ooops, had a separate 12V for the genset.
>>>
>>>Mike Bulriss
>>>1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
>>>San Antonio, TX
>>>
>>>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> My 83 PT40 had 4 6-volt batteries for everything.
>>>>
>>>> I thought there were split arrangements for the 90. Leroy did that
>>>> come that way, or is that another Royale feature?
>>>>
>>>> My 91 has three start and 8 house batteries.
>>>>
>>>> Mike Bulriss
>>>> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
>>>> San Antonio, TX
>>>>
>>>> -- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Leroy Eckert
>>>> wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> > Yes sir, my coach has 6 house batteries which start the engine and
>>>> provide power to the coach. It has one separate genset battery. All
>>>> charge off the inverter/charger. Works great.
>>>> >
>>>> > Leroy Eckert
>>>> > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
>>>> > Dahlonega, GA
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> > Dorn Hetzel wrote: I see
>>>> folks talk about separate banks of starting and house batteries, but
>>>> on my 77FC35 there seems to be just one set of batteries (excluding
>>>> the generator battery), am I correct in this observation?
>>>> >
>>>> > Regards,
>>>> >
>>>> > Dorn Hetzel
>>>> > 77FC35
>>>> > Hogansville, GA
>>>> > Flat Freek Campground
>>>> > http://www.campground.flatcreek.us
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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