Battery Choices - Re: Getting Back on the Road this Weekend...

[Andy Coleman]

Wow!

Thank you all for you battery posts! I didn't realize there was so
much passion for batteries! As it turns out, there is a Trojan
battery dealer about 10 miles away from my house in NJ. I'm going to
visit them today.

They are asking $105 for each Trojan T-105. The T-125 battery is
special order, and costs about $160 each.

The slight extra performance of the T-125 is not worth the extra 50%
in cost, in my opinion.

Thanks Stephen for the post showing all the manufacturers that make
Interstate batteries. Interesting.

Could not find a post from anybody complaining about problems with
their Trojans. Guess that makes up my mind!

May also install a large 4D battery for starting the Cat some time in
the future.

Thanks again everyone!

Andy
83' FC-35
Spring Lake Hts., NJ


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Birtles"
wrote:
>
> Tom in november you posted that you just bought 6 interstates and now
> you post you just bought 6 interstates how many batteries does your
> coach use or do you have an electrical problem?? VBG
> here is a list of who makes interstate battery nothing more than a
> marketing firm with a nascar team number 18
>
>
> interstate Batteries are privately branded batteries the various
> flavours and brands are produced by the following companies
>
> Interstate Battery System of America, Inc., (US) +1-972-991-1444,
> 1-888-772-3600 or http://www.interstatebatteries.com/
>
> 50-Month, (Green Top) [SLI] by Johnson Controls
>
> AGM Series [spiral wound] by Optima
>
> Ameriton by Johnson Controls
>
> BBG Series [VRLA] by C&D Technologies
>
> Big Joe [Deep Cycle] by U.S. Battery
>
> BPS Series [SLA] by Power-Sonic
>
> Bulldog [Motive Deep Cycle] by Bulldog Battery
>
> CATV Series [VRLA] by C&D Technologies
>
> Cycle-Tron [SLI] by Yuasa
>
> Cranking [SLI] by Johnson Controls
>
> DCS, (Deep Cycle Series) by C&D Technologies
>
> Extreme Performance [SLI Sprial Cell] by Optima
>
> GC Series [Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
>
> Mega-Tron, (Gray Top) [SLI] by Johnson Controls
>
> Plus, (Black Top) [SLI] by Johnson Controls
>
> Motorcycle [SLI] Yuasa
>
> MVP, (Mobility Valu-Plus) Series [Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
>
> PC Series by [SLA]Power-Sonic
>
> PowerVolt [SLI] by Johnson Controls
>
> PS Series [SLA] by Power-Sonic
>
> SG Series [Gel Cell Deep Cycle] by East Penn
>
> SC, (SpiralCell) Series by Optima
>
> SDCS Series [Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
>
> TCOM Series [SLA] by Power-Sonic
>
> TEL Series [Standby Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
>
> U Series [Motive Deep Cycle] by U.S. Battery
>
> UPS Series [Standby Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
>
> V Series [SLI] by Enertec Grupo IMSA
>
> Workaholic [SLI] by Johnson Controls
> The manufacturer's code number will be on the battery and is only sure
> way of identifying the manufacturer. Ask the dealer who made the
> battery. In the United States, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), can
> provide a useful source of information on the manufacturer of the
> battery. Manufacturers, joint ventures or distributors will sometimes
> have lines within a trademark or brand, for example, Bronze, Silver,
> Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Premium, Heavy Duty, Commercial, Standard,
> Plus, Turbo, Calcium, Classic, Maintenance Free, etc., for
> differentiating quality, features or warranty periods. They will also
> contract with other manufacturers to build special purpose batteries
> and batteries to complete their product lines that are not
> economically feasible to build themselves. A good manufacturers cross
> reference list for Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) batteries can be found on
> Battery Solutions Web site.
>
> Stephen 77fc35 with batteries 7 years old just like the everready
> bunny still going strong
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Birtles"
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Interstate is a marketing company they job the maunfacturing to the
> > lowest bidder
> > and I really doubt they are just as good
> > For trojans go the website use the dealer locater
> > And yes the the t105 and t125 are the same physical size the
> > difference is in the internal makeup of the battery
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner wrote:
> > >
> > > Boy I thought the T125 was taller then the T105 also and I am
sure I
> > > checked the spec's when I thought about making the change for my
1982
> > > fC35. But checked them just now and they are indeed the same
> > > physical size. But after using the Interstate batteries I would
not
> > > spend the extra money to get a Trojan battery. In my area
Trojans are
> > > almost impossible to find. Interstate batteries are built just as
> > > good and you can find them anywhere in the US in case you need to
> > > replace one in warranty while travelling. I just got 6 new
Interstate
> > > 6V deep cycles from a wholesaler in Syracuse,NY and paid $58 each
> > for them.
> > > tom warner
> > > vernon center,ny
> > > 1985 PT40
> > >
> > > At 10:15 AM 5/31/2007, you wrote:
> > >
> > > >Andy,
> > > >
> > > >More is almost always better, But recheck the height of the T125.
> > > >It is taller and this height would not fit into our 88 FC, Also the
> > > >T125 is a really heavy battery. Take a look at Deka batteries.
> > > >
> > > >http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/
> > > >
> > > >The specs for the 6 volt Deka batteries are about the same as the
> > > >popular Trojans. The Deka is mfg. in Pennsylvania , A battery
> > > >distributor stated there is about a 15 to $20, savings per
battery if
> > > >you are located East on the Mississippi because of the Trojan
> > > >shipping cost from the West coast.??...
> > > >But this may just be a sales pitch............
> > > >I purchased 6 Deka batteries, because they were available, had the
> > > >post type connectors, and yes they were less cost than the Trojans,
> > > >Only six months old , But so far they are good.,
> > > >
> > > >Bill 88 FC with lots of stored energy
> > > >
> > > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Hello Dan,
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for your battery advice. It seems that others agree with
> > > >you too.
> > > > >
> > > > > I was on Trojan's website and also came across the T-125
golf cart
> > > > > battery. It is the same size as the T-105, but a little more
> > > > > powerful... But that does not mean it is better... Anybody
have
> > > > > experience with the T-125?
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks so much!
> > > > >
> > > > > Andy
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ac7880"
> > > >wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > If your coach still has 4 6 volt golf cart batteries, then I
> > > >would
> > > > > > do Trojan T105s. I would replace all 4 at the same time.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On your gen you should have 2 rocker switches too start
it, one
> > > >by
> > > > > > driver, one in kitchen. Hold the rocker switch in the down
> > > >position
> > > > > > for the preheat for approx 15 to 20 seconds then push on the
> > > >upward
> > > > > > position and see if gen fires. If not, repeat.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Dan previous 83 FC35, now 94 BB BMC 37'
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > After sitting around for 10 months, I'm finally getting
ready
> > > >to
> > > > > > drive
> > > > > > > out my 83 FC-35 and get it back on the road. During that
> time,
> > > >I
> > > > > > did
> > > > > > > the following;
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Modified my air intake system.
> > > > > > > Rebuilt and modified my power steering system.
> > > > > > > Adjusted the valve lash.
> > > > > > > Had the radiator cleaned and pressure checked.
> > > > > > > Replace the racor and fuel filters.
> > > > > > > Replaced all cooling hoses in front of the front tires.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Two things I still have to tackle this weekend...
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Two of my four 6v starting batteries are showing a weak
charge
> > > >under
> > > > > > > load - even after charging for many hours. Can somebody
> > > >recommend
> > > > > > to
> > > > > > > me the best brand battery to replace them? A battery with
> good
> > > > > > > starting power and good reserve to run lights and
assessories?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Finally, I'm having trouble starting my Perkins generator.
> The
> > > > > > > previous owner used starting fluid to turn it over. I
wonder
> > > >if
> > > > > > there
> > > > > > > is a pre-heating device on the geny that isn't working?
Might
> > > > > > anybody
> > > > > > > know how to replace it? The battery is fine.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Any advice you can offer would be great!
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Looking to break in my coach on a cross country road
trip this
> > > > > > summer.
> > > > > > > I turn the big 4-0, and can't think of a better way to
spend
> > > >it.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I hope to post photos of my air intake and power steering
> > > >upgrades
> > > > > > > shortly.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks everyone!
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Andy Coleman
> > > > > > > 83' FC-35
> > > > > > > Spring Lake Heights, NJ
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>