What drive battery for a 1980 Blue Bird Bus

[newmodelgypsies]

I have a 1980 Blue Bird All American. It has very low miles. Unfortunately, as I've not had a lot of money to pour into it lately, the battery is dead/dying and not jumping. I'm pretty sure it's gone bad.

Also, it hasn't ever turned over very well and I'm wondering if the battery was the right size to begin with. Anyone know what kind of battery I should be looking for for a replacement? (By the way, it is gas, not diesel.)

Also, do you think it would be worth even trying to recondition it?

[PNW_Steve]

My A3RE has 3 group 31 batteries.

I would measure your battery tray and look at the existing battery cables to get some clue as to what was in there originally.

[Booyah45828]

Take several pictures of what you currently have and the battery box.

As steve said, a lot of buses use group 31's.

Some buses use one 8d battery.

But we don't know what you currently have so that limits the help we can provide.

Being a gas engine, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to get by with just 1 group 31 battery.

[Booyah45828]

As far as reconditioning goes, it depends on how much you value your time and whether or not you want to mess with charging it for a week or two, only to have the possibility of having something subpar at best.

[brokedown]

My BB TC/2000 has a pair of 8D batteries. When its time to replace them I'll use a pair of Group 31 from Tractor Supply. and use the empty space to hold jumper cables and other stuff.

[Ciscokid]

I use two of the blue optima 12 volt batteries and it starts my dt466 with no issue. Little pricey but had them left over from my crashed power boat after the hitch broke and the front of the boat went through the back door of my bus. Now I know what gwr rating means.