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Best quality battery? Can I use 8 batteries?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by mojoblues, Aug 1, 2011.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Aug 1, 2011 #1
    mojoblues

    mojoblues Bobtail Member

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    Jun 18, 2007
    0
    I usually go threw a set of 4 batteries about once a year...I use a lot of electronics including Satellite TV, DVD, Frig, fans and more..I have a cobra 1500 watt inverter that works great. After about a year the batteries start to loose their ability to charge enough to keep me going. Once in a while I run them too low while sleeping and have to get a jump start...but that takes about a year of abuse before they start to get too weak....but I do love my electronics. My current set of NAPA 950 amp batteries are getting weak but still work ok if you don't let them get too low on juice.
    .I was thinking about installing 2 sets of batteries. Seems to me they are set up in parallel so you should be able to have 8 batteries. 12 volts across all 8. I was reading in other posts that isolators can be used and larger current alternators may be needed.I was hoping to have the aux 4 batteries charge up then automatically disconnect after recharging.



    My questions here is what are the highest quality long lasting truck batteries to buy and also if there is a device that will allow me to set up 2 sets of batteries without any complications.
    One way of another I am going to get 4 new batteries this week.

    Thanks
     
    mojoblues, Aug 1, 2011
    mojoblues, Aug 1, 2011
    #1
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  3. Aug 1, 2011 #2
    black_dog106

    black_dog106 Road Train Member

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    Mar 29, 2009
    MA
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    Only issue i see with extra batteries is weight...:biggrin_25526:
     
    black_dog106, Aug 1, 2011
    black_dog106, Aug 1, 2011
    #2
  4. Aug 1, 2011 #3
    Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

    3,033
    2,044
    May 13, 2011
    Middle Tennessee
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    Best brand I ever used was Interstate.
     
    Semi Crazy, Aug 1, 2011
    Semi Crazy, Aug 1, 2011
    #3
  5. Aug 1, 2011 #4
    calcustom

    calcustom Light Load Member

    123
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    Aug 28, 2010
    Manteca,CA
    0
    Ok this is from a 4wheeler but I'm thinking use a Battery Isolator and a set of deep cycle batteries in addition to your normal batteries.
    The deep cycle batteries would do the duties of running the electronics and you wouldn't have to worry about needing a jump.
    A set of deep cycle battery will take a lot of cycles before you would need to replace them.
    If you decided to run an extra set this would be a cost effective alternative.
     
    calcustom, Aug 1, 2011
    calcustom, Aug 1, 2011
    #4
    MM71 Thanks this.
  7. Aug 1, 2011 #5
    Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
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    an isolator with deep cycle batteries would be the way to go, perhaps better yet 2 pairs of 6Volt golf cart batteries, instead of 12 volt batteries, as they are designed for deeper discharge. Many Rv'ers go this route for the capacity at a lower cost.
     
    Hardlyevr, Aug 1, 2011
    Hardlyevr, Aug 1, 2011
    #5
    MM71 Thanks this.
  8. Aug 2, 2011 #6
    Mr. Haney

    Mr. Haney Road Train Member

    2,693
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    Dec 17, 2008
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    Just buy 4 Optima Group 31 Yellow Top batteries. These are a combination usage battery. They will handle both the hard draw of starting along with the slow draw down of a deep cycle battery. The only draw back to using them is the price, they usually cost around $225 each. The part number is SC31DS, or model number D31T for a threaded 3/8" stainless steel post. They'll last 3 times longer than a standard battery doing what you're doing.
     
    Mr. Haney, Aug 2, 2011
    Mr. Haney, Aug 2, 2011
    #6
    bullhaulerswife and MM71 Thank this.
  9. Aug 2, 2011 #7
    Frenzy

    Frenzy Medium Load Member

    331
    186
    Mar 24, 2008
    Seattle, WA
    0
    I used to go thru a set a batteries a year, then I became paranoid about not starting in the middle of winter Nowhere, Montana. I put in a set of Optimas about 5 years ago and are still running the set.
     
    Frenzy, Aug 2, 2011
    Frenzy, Aug 2, 2011
    #7
  10. Aug 3, 2011 #8
    Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Feb 4, 2009
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    I wish more guys out there were that easy to convince!
     
    Heavyd, Aug 3, 2011
    Heavyd, Aug 3, 2011
    #8
  11. Aug 3, 2011 #9
    Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

    7,604
    1,642
    Oct 11, 2010
    Borispol, Ukraine
    0
    what a reason to use 8 bats? one battery with one bad cell draines all other batteries.
     
    Pablo-UA, Aug 3, 2011
    Pablo-UA, Aug 3, 2011
    #9
  12. Aug 5, 2011 #10
    Dice1

    Dice1 Road Train Member

    1,315
    609
    Jul 1, 2011
    Bessemer City, NC
    0
    Got almost 7 years out of my Optimas and I am hard on them. Replaced them with Optimas and I now have solar panels to keep them peaked off all the time to extend the life of them furhter.
     
    Dice1, Aug 5, 2011
    Dice1, Aug 5, 2011
    #10
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