| Author | Message | ||
| Frank Radosti (Frank4104)
Registered Member Username: Frank4104 Post Number: 41 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 97.104.2.30  Rating: N/A |
picked up 2 battery's at sam's 8D for starting the bus (4104)YEAR AGO NEED TO REPLACE THEM ALREADY 1 HAS SHORTED CELL THE OUTHER AN OPEN CELL MY QUESTION IS WHAT CAUSED THIS?? | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 201 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 24.234.175.26  Rating: N/A |
beats me. My 8d had exactly that same thing. those are worth $60 when buying interstate battery replacement (core charge), so keep it to replace with the new ones. if only a year old, might want to check back with sams if they are covered under warranty. (Message edited by whitebus on January 03, 2010) | ||
| Frank Radosti (Frank4104)
Registered Member Username: Frank4104 Post Number: 42 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 97.104.2.30 Rating: N/A |
Maby should not go to sam's? i thought i would as batts in fl don't last more then 3years last time went to napa.Thanks for advice on replacement core charge pete. | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 576 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.234.224  Rating: N/A |
... how were they shelf maintained & used before you bought them and AFTER are the first question to answer your question. I often ask the battery clerk about birthdate & maintenance since and have yet to receive the proper answer , often only a "ad lib spiel" about the safe warranty and how few warranty returns the clerk can recall, at best. -is the battery tray flat & solid, giving them the full support needed and does your charge/drain system match up to the battery's long term needs? have you fully tested your under demand recently ? (I recall a study of the battery industry "strategy" were the marginal warranty returns were charged up, tested and ship south to warmer climates for re-marketing as new fully warranty battery, but that was many years ago and times are much more "honest" now days ) | ||
| Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member Username: Tekebird Post Number: 406 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.59.75.212 Rating: N/A |
years ago we used to have marginal battery life on my 4104. it was solcved when I put two smaller solar cells on my rear roof a/c and tied them in as trickle chargers next set lasted for 8 years | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 821 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.32.95.26 Rating: N/A |
Frank, buy the Calcium constructed 8d they will have a 5 year warranty.Sam's 8D's are a years warranty, the calcium battery will cost about 20 bucks more each well worth the difference in price good luck | ||
| Frank Radosti (Frank4104)
Registered Member Username: Frank4104 Post Number: 43 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 97.104.2.30 Rating: N/A |
Luvrbus ware do I buy them i am in Daytona?Thanks for the Advice! | ||
| Frank Radosti (Frank4104)
Registered Member Username: Frank4104 Post Number: 44 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 97.104.2.30 Rating: N/A |
Thanks clint-doug for your input | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 947 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 64.55.111.6 Rating: N/A |
As mentioned above, we need a lot more information to be able to answer your question! More importantly, that information will help us give you advice on how to prevent the same thing happening to your new batteries in a year. We need to know how the batteries are used: Starting use only, sitting for months at a time with no maintenance charging? What is your bus voltage regulator setting? Transistor radios with pre-set station memory, stereos, and anything with a remote, draw current while they are "off." How are your house batteries charged while driving? Do you have solar panel(s) without a regulator? Do you have a solar regulator that you KNOW works? Did you have to add a lot of water "too" often, or did you never check you water level? Sorry. Look closely at Tekebird's post above. (He gives good advice on MC6s too!) Please reply with the requested information, and several of us will be able to help. G | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1823 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
Also, don't draw down too far before recharging, as it will drastically shorten life. | ||
| Frank Radosti (Frank4104)
Registered Member Username: Frank4104 Post Number: 45 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 97.104.2.30 Rating: N/A |
10/4 | ||
| Mike Eades (Mike4905)
Registered Member Username: Mike4905 Post Number: 199 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 70.127.150.40 Rating: N/A |
I have had three stes of Sam's 8D's in ten years and had one go bad early. Sam's are Exide batts. I talked Exide and they told me how to treat them. I think I coulld have gotten longer time bbut I didn't want trouble while I was on the road. I was using my coach for a buissiness. I couldn't be down. I put on about 40k miles every eight months. I would lay up in FL for four months. A tickle charger on all the time with complete water maintance. No major problems | ||
| Frank Radosti (Frank4104)
Registered Member Username: Frank4104 Post Number: 46 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 209.236.250.213 Rating: N/A |
These were Eveready made in china I went to napa today and got a new set last time they lasted 3years i am ok with that don't know why I went to sams thought I would try it i guess.the cost is the same go figure | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1057 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 208.54.196.233  Rating: N/A |
This is one reason I changed to Group 31 batteries. 8D warranties are very short, they don't seem to last very long, they are way too heavy for old guys like me to lug around, they take up too much space, I don't need them in my mild climate and they are too expensive for what you get. They were used in the old days because that is all they had. The choice today is vastly better. | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 580 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.238.127 Rating: N/A |
~the bigger chassi batteries are best to keep if your still running the chassi A/C, extra battery reserve capacity when the engine is at lower RPM idle such as at a stop light, with the air condition still running when your not charging at the full 270 amps. Ideally the house battery system should be equilized in parallel with the chassi charge system, then the smaller batterys don't matter for this. - so I see room for improvement in my system includeing more reasonable lifting weights than my 8D batterys at over 170 lbs |