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Old 04-07-2022, 11:53 AM   #21
Bus Crazy
 
s2mikon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NM USA KD6WJG
Posts: 1,515
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE 40 FEET
Engine: Cummins 8.3
The most important thing that you can do is get a good battery charger / maintainer system installed. The fire department uses progressive dynamics units for their trucks and that is what I bought. It is a 30 amp unit and is keeping my 2 8d batteries going. Once a year I have to add a little water. Going on 3 years now for the batteries. We'll see how long they go.

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Old 04-07-2022, 12:11 PM   #22
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 671
Coachwork: Busless for now
Quote:
Originally Posted by s2mikon View Post
The most important thing that you can do is get a good battery charger / maintainer system installed.

Absolutely!!!

My aluminum bass boat came with a Guess onboard charger with a pair of 5 amp outputs. I leave the boat outside during Kentucky winters with the charger plugged in. It has a group 24 cranking battery and group 27 for the trolling motor.

I finally replaced the original Interstates with identical ones after 9 years, but they were still going strong. Keep them charged and clean, add DISTILLED water every year or so, and they will last many years.
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Old 04-09-2022, 07:07 AM   #23
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 229
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP ER
Engine: Cat 3126b 210 HP 605 ftlbs
Sams club duracell are a bargain. I usually go with AMG, due to lower self discharge rate. My group 31 are 4 years old and still work fine, even though i switched them to my tractor, as i had a weak starter and though it was the batteries. The duracel are made by east pen (deka). have the duracells amg in my truck that are still going strong for 4 years also
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Old 04-13-2022, 11:34 PM   #24
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Sanford Florida
Posts: 215
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP/ER
Engine: Cat3126B 230hp
Rated Cap: 48
I agree with THEHUBBARDBUS that you do not need the more expensive AGM battery which is more of deep cell storage type .the sealed acid truck battery is designed for CCA boost to crank engine.definitely invest in a battery maintainer. I had a 4A tender for my 2 group 31 batteries but it died after 6 months. I bought a Schmaucer brand charger at autozone and very happy with it.
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Old 04-13-2022, 11:58 PM   #25
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Near Flagstaff AZ
Posts: 1,951
Year: 1974
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: "Atomic"
Engine: DD 8V71
I don't know where you are...but in the Boise area, the locally-owned Sterling Battery shops have refurbished 8D batteries for right at $100 each. What a deal. One of those ought to replace those 3 group 31s. I see lots of buses which were set up for an 8D but which got reconfigured to hold 2 or 3 cheaper Group 31s. It would be easy to revert.

Locally, here in AZ, I get Exide 8D batteries from Battery Systems for about $210 each. I have an account, so they're a bit cheaper than the $250+ list...but that's still a decent price.

And, for Group 31s, our local Napa has their basic 1-year-warranty Group 31s for $75 each. The next step up costs me about $110 each. Again, I have an account, but I'll bet you can get the same price if you ask politely.
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Old 04-16-2022, 04:20 PM   #26
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 56
, but I'll bet you can get the same price if you ask politely.



Yes, amazing what a big smile and a little dancing can get you.

And it never hurts to ask for a discount.

All they can say is No

Or more assertively,, "What discounts do you offer ??"

That puts the shoe on the other foot
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