Trading the ole deep cycle for an 8D

[rthrbelsewhere]

Hello everyone,

I was at the farm store the other day and noticed these tractor batteries that were size '8D' and read that they have more amp hours then 2 12 volt deep cycle batteries. I have one deep cycle now and was going to bite the bullet and buy a 2nd one, but if i can get away with a single deep cycle that will hold even more amp hours and not cause any problems with my inverter, then that's probably the way i'll go. Just curious if anyone else has made this modification to their trailer and if so, what they're experience has been with the inverter plugged in.

I have a buddy that i talked to about it and he said that they can weld in a new platform to bolt a new 8D size box onto it for me so i can store it safely while in motion...I just have to make sure that the drop down door for the front bed and the propane tanks won't have any problems with it's new neighbor.

Thanks and happy camping!

Joe

[hunt4240dw]

Joe,
What is the weight of the 8D? Will it through your tongue weight off?

David

[rthrbelsewhere]

Hi David,

It is less then 100 lbs...something like 86 lbs. It will definitely add to the load, but with a class IV hitch and soon to have firestone airbags and a one piece forged hitch ball mount (limit of 1200lbs on the tongue) on the Ram 2500 Diesel, it probably won't hurt anything.

Joe

[Bama Rambler]

That 8D should have about 250AH, it'll weigh ~160lbs and it's 20-5/8" x 11" x 10". Compare that to two(2) group 27 batteries. They'll have about 200AH, Weigh ~110lbs and will be about 13-1/2" x 12-3/4" x 9-1/2" (combined). So the 8D will weigh 50 lbs more, be 7" longer, 1-3/4" wider, 1/2" taller and have 50 more AH. Is it worth it? Only you can answer that.

Now if you look at a pair of Trojan T-105's they would weigh 124lbs, be 14-1/4" x 10-3/8" x 10-7/8", have 225AH. They would fit in almost the same space as the group 27's and have 25AH more than the 27's but 25AH less than the 8D.

I don't know what they're wanting for the 8D but check the specs and if they're good and the size and weight's not an issue I'd consider getting rid of my group 27's for one.

[rthrbelsewhere]

The battery i was looking at is a Dura Start C8D-3 for 162.95. It's 20-3/4"L x 11"W x 10"H and puts out 225 AH according to a spec sheet for a different model, but same dimensions and ratings. It's an Excide battery sold specifically to the farm stores, so it won't be found at Wally world or local auto store.

Previously, I was thinking about the dual 6V battery configuration that a buddy of mine has in his RV, but then when i looked at the prices to set that up, i couldn't justify spending that kind of money for them when I can buy one battery and have less maintenance and no special wiring configuration to have to deal with as well.

I'm wondering if the inverter is going to notice the bigger battery at all or if it will treat it like any other 12volt. I suspect that it will just take longer to charge, but it won't make much difference to it.

[acadianbob]

Is that really a deep cycle battery though? I've seen those batteries at Fleet Farm and didn't think they were deep cycle.

[rthrbelsewhere]

I have to go back and look. For whatever reason, Excide battery decided not to post up their "farm store only" battery specs on their website. I need to go back before the 1st anyway, the wife found a coupon in the mail for $10 off any purchase over $100, so if i do go with it, at least that helps on the core charge. I'll get back to you on that one...im stopping off at the Redneck trailer "authorized" dealer tonight to look for some new alum rims for the 14's I bought for this camper. Maybe Thursday i'll have that answer. ...news reel at 11...

[rthrbelsewhere]

confirmed...this battery is not a deep cycle. back to the drawing board...plan A - not to spend over 200 bucks for an rv battery setup that lasts longer then a single d.c.27

thank you

[jameseh]

rthbelsewhere, you might want to look into Otpmia batteries . They make a D-34M deep cycle. gel cells ,never spill, no fumes, light weight,smaller then the 27's & recharge faster.

[rthrbelsewhere]

Hey, good idea!

I just looked at the optima website and see that they make a D31M as well that has a bit more Ah and according to Amazon, i can get it for just over 200 minus the 20 dollar rebate. I'm a little confused about the Ah ratings that all these manufactures state tho. For instance, the battery i bought a few years ago for the popup trailer was a size 27 "marine" battery that states that it has 115 Ah (i think it said) @ something like 20 Amps. But then this D31M says that it has 75 @ c/20 rate? ahh....whatever that means. I would think there would be a standard to these ratings so that it would be easier for the consumer to compare 'apples' to 'apples'.

Thanks for the idea tho, i'm going to look a little further into this for sure.

Joe