Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Gail43 on February 09, 2017, 05:00:11 pm
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What kind should I buy to replace the ones I now have in 2012 2350 PC?
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Do you have 2 -12v batteries or 2-6v batteries?
If 12v, buy deep cycle 12v to replace, you won't have enough height to install 6v Golf Cart batteries.
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I don't know about the 2012 Sprinter 2350, but I replaced our coach batteries last year on our 2013 Ford 2350 with two deep cycle golf cart batteries I bought at Sams Club for about $115 each.
Our PC was eleven months old when we bought it from the first owner. They were new to rving and I suspect they simply had zero knowledge of battery care/maintenance. On our previous rig, I got five years out of a couple of sixes.
I had zero trouble getting the batteries out of the 2350 and new ones back in but it is a little tight in there. And those are not light weight batteries. Battery discussions always bring in all the high dollar battery lovers but I am just a cheap sort of guy. With care and observation of maintenance I have always gotten good service out of coach batteries. Probably 80% of our use of the PC is in boondocking so monitoring and maintenance become important fast. I buy all our batteries at Walmart or Sams.
Paul
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Our two 2 year old batteries need replacing due to being overly discharged so am considering installing a 4 battery pack inside under a bed near the inverter. Because they'll be within our living space they can't be regular flooded cell batteries that must be vented to outside so must buy AGM or Gel or Li but wouldn't feel safe yet sleeping ontop potentially explosive Li ion.
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Not to start a Lithium argument but the Lithium batteries used in automotive situations are a different chemistry than what is used in phones and laptops. Not to say there is no danger, there is with any battery. Lithium has never hurt me but I've been burned by exploding lead-acid batteries twice so anything that stores that much power can cause harm.
Note that Pleasure Way RV, a large Canadian maker of B class RVs, is now supplying their units with a lithium battery which I believe lives under the bed.
My only concerns with lithium at this point is one, they are a bit too expensive and two, mechanics and people in general are not well trained up on handling them. I think the price will be dropping dramatically over the next 3 to 4 years. And as the knowledge-base is increased on how they need to be maintained and monitored they will become mainstream.
In your case you have little choice but AGM and lithium and either would work though the lithium would deliver a much higher amount of amp hours for the space weight, but at a much higher cost.
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Hi Gail,
If you want to go cheap & easy and just get it over with, you could drive your PC to an Autozone. They will match up your batteries (assuming they have replacements in stock), install the new batteries, and dispose of your old batteries. Installation is free. I am not sure of disposal, but I think that is also free. Autozone offers fairly reasonable prices and the free installation.
Walmart auto centers might also offer the same services.
BUT..........
If you are particular as most of us here have become, you will want to do some research.
As for me, I got tired of dealing with battery trouble and seemed to have come up with a good resolve HERE (http://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php/topic,2092.0.html). Being only 2 years to-date, the jury is still out, but so far it has been very promising.
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Excellent and informative PBS program about current and future battery technologies, a must see for anyone considering lithium batteries. May decide to wait a few years for safest designs coming.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/super-battery.html
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;)
Do you have 2 -12v batteries or 2-6v batteries?
If 12v, buy deep cycle 12v to replace, you won't have enough height to install 6v Golf Cart batteries.
;) ;) thanks you for your help. We have 2 12V and will buy deep cycle.
Gail
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Gail, Make sure they are Deep Cycle and not called Marine Batteries. those are a combination of starting & deep-cycle.
Another thing, is monitor your battery voltage without any loads on with a digital voltmeter. Try to never go below 12.10 volts (50% discharge ). This will ensure batteries will last at least 4 years. Watch battery cell water level at least every couple of months and use distilled water.