Battery for International 3700 1993

[jpitz31]

Hey All, I have an International 3700 24' bus. It had a rear Electric/Hydraulic lift that I removed.

The Bus had two batteries.

In the battery box there are 2 + cables and 2 - cables. When removing the lift I removed the + cable from the lift and removed the solenoid and cable leading to the battery box.

So, the question is do I need add two batteries back into the battery box?

Or, since the lift is gone, can I just install 1 battery?

Also what amp hour rating battery do I need, I purchased the bus with no batteries?

Thanks

Joe

[desrtdog]

I had a lift and 3 batteries...removed the lift and the cables back to the battery box; left all 3 batteries and the breaker that was on the (+) line to the lift - just repurposed it. I'm of the opinion that more is better, especially when it comes to cranking the engine...not sure if a single battery is enough, but someone else will likely chime in...

[Albatross]

You still need two batteries to start up the thing.



My bus has a Chevy 6.2L--probably one of the smallest diesels you'll find in a bus, and while it can start with one large, and well-charged battery... It really doesn't like it; it works much better with two. With your larger diesel, you will really want to have both batteries hooked up for the extra current juice, and the easier ability to start it up--much less the ability to fire it up when things get cold, or when you've left some lights on or something like that.



More batteries is pretty much always a good thing until it weighs too much to move.

[nikitis]

It is possible to start the bus with one battery.

Does not mean you should.

The single battery setup will kill the battery MUCH faster. It will draw more amps from the one battery.

Dual or Tripple battery setups will spread the amperage need from each individual battery vastly improving the life of those batteries.

Most buses operate nominally with 2 batteries, it's even better with 3, but definitely not needed. Buses will not operate well with a single battery for long. You should have 2 or 3, but 2 minimum.

All of this above is for cranking over the engine.
If we are talking about keeping them charged, The alternator can do that, but you should add a battery disconnect to prevent the ECM or other items that were tied to the positive of the Bus Battery either from factory or via hacks by previous owners of the Bus.

A battery disconnect will prevent draining of the batteries which will occur whether or not you have 1, 2, or 3 batteries from sitting. Buses were designed to run daily and could be left connected because they were going to be charged the next day. They were not designed to sit in your drive way for weeks on end without driving and no matter your battery setup, it's likely going to drain to where you cannot crank it, so a disconnect acts like a pause on the draining effect till you are ready to drive it. Flip the switch and your battery will be just as charged as when you turned it off just about.

[jpitz31]

Thanks all for the info, yes I have a battery disconnect switch. I will add back two batteries.

Joe

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

my older big bus runs two 8D batteries and am told that group 31's will work.
they are smaller and lighter but i have stayed with 8D's.

[nikitis]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

my older big bus runs two 8D batteries and am told that group 31's will work.
they are smaller and lighter but i have stayed with 8D's.

I use two group 31's no problem with the battery disconnect. Never an issue being drained. Starts up every time. Going on 2 years now.