replacement battery questions

[Deb]

Good morning. My coach (still waiting for that first real trip!) decided to die. The 10 year old starting battery (6/07!) discharged over a period
of 2 weeks of no running and trying to troubleshoot the Onan (my bad!). I put her on the trickle charger but it will not take a full charge (NoCo
Genius 1100 Charger - maintenance charger that works on everything else). Best I can get is up to the 75% mark on the LED's (100% flashing but never
going solid). Checked the battery on the multimeter and came up with 11.8 V. Which from what I am reading is 25% charge at BEST or completely DOA
(depending on whose page you read). That is after 4 days on the charger. Got just enough juice to by-pass & test the temperature sending unit (yes,
it is dead & I have a replacement). But won't even consider trying to turn over (just growls at me! Briefly!). So it can RIP I think. I killed
it.

I have a new Interstate AGM house battery in the generator bay that is holding a nice 12.9 V. I am considering dropping that in as my starter battery
and getting 2 6V golf cart batteries for the house. The Interstate is a top post battery - my cables are side mount. Anyone have any experience with
the adapters for side to top post cables? Canadian Tire here has some that are short cables - helps to eliminate the possibility of insufficient
cable length when you add on the adapter.

There is also a disconnect lever switch attached to the positive post - (should be on the negative post?). I plan to try to check to see if there is
some phantom power drain (once I have enough power to drain!) in case that is the reason that switch was installed.

Opinions on the move Interstate to starter and add 2 golf carts? Will be pricier than just getting a new starter battery but a good new battery will
be about $150+ anyway. So I am not averse to dropping another $100+ for the golf cart batteries if that is worth it. And also - opinions on the
adapter scenario.
--
Deb McWade

"Li'l Sister"

'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;

TZE167V101404

It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[jim kanomata1]

Deb,
Always make sure the connections are good.
You should be able to use the Battery Boost button to start the engine.
That is one thing I love about that switch.

> Good morning. My coach (still waiting for that first real trip!) decided
> to die. The 10 year old starting battery (6/07!) discharged over a period
> of 2 weeks of no running and trying to troubleshoot the Onan (my bad!). I
> put her on the trickle charger but it will not take a full charge (NoCo
> Genius 1100 Charger - maintenance charger that works on everything else).
> Best I can get is up to the 75% mark on the LED's (100% flashing but never
> going solid). Checked the battery on the multimeter and came up with 11.8
> V. Which from what I am reading is 25% charge at BEST or completely DOA
> (depending on whose page you read). That is after 4 days on the charger.
> Got just enough juice to by-pass & test the temperature sending unit (yes,
> it is dead & I have a replacement). But won't even consider trying to
> turn over (just growls at me! Briefly!). So it can RIP I think. I killed
> it.
>
> I have a new Interstate AGM house battery in the generator bay that is
> holding a nice 12.9 V. I am considering dropping that in as my starter
> battery
> and getting 2 6V golf cart batteries for the house. The Interstate is a
> top post battery - my cables are side mount. Anyone have any experience
> with
> the adapters for side to top post cables? Canadian Tire here has some
> that are short cables - helps to eliminate the possibility of insufficient
> cable length when you add on the adapter.
>
> There is also a disconnect lever switch attached to the positive post -
> (should be on the negative post?). I plan to try to check to see if there
> is
> some phantom power drain (once I have enough power to drain!) in case that
> is the reason that switch was installed.
>
> Opinions on the move Interstate to starter and add 2 golf carts? Will be
> pricier than just getting a new starter battery but a good new battery will
> be about $150+ anyway. So I am not averse to dropping another $100+ for
> the golf cart batteries if that is worth it. And also - opinions on the
> adapter scenario.
> --
> Deb McWade
>
> "Li'l Sister"
>
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
>
> TZE167V101404
>
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502

 

[Ken B]

Your plan is exactly what I would do.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[Ken B]

The AGM battery is a starting battery and should be used for the engine. It supplies high current for a short time. The golf cart batteries are deep
cycle with higher storage capacity and like longer term smaller loads like what you have in the house section of the coach. The disconnect switch can
go on either side of the battery. Mine is on the positive side.

That disconnect switch is what saved me when I had an engine fire many years ago.

I accidentally hit send in the previous posting before I had finished typing.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[Deb]

Thanks Ken - It made sense to me, but what the heck do I know. I killed my other battery!

And Jim - yes, thank god for the batt boost. Started up just fine - Vroom! no hesitation even after sitting collecting dust for the last 2+ weeks.
Connections on the battery are very good. Battery just wont' take a charge, and although I haven't checked it while "cranking", based on the fact
that I get nothing, I'm pretty certain it is 0. The battery is 10 years old, so I guess it doesn't owe anyone anything. It just wouldn't handle the
full discharge I threw at it after all those years.

Thank you for the input - off to Canadian Tire on my way home from work tomorrow to pick up a couple of golf cart batteries & cable adapters; and then
next weekend I will swap things around.

Won't have time this week - The new semester starts tomorrow and the poop will be hitting the fan pretty steadily weekdays till December. I am hoping
to get out to Harrison for one rally later in September, before the snow flies and before the insurance expires.
--
Deb McWade

"Li'l Sister"

'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;

TZE167V101404

It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[hal stclair]

> Thanks Ken - It made sense to me, but what the heck do I know. I killed my other battery!
>
> And Jim - yes, thank god for the batt boost. Started up just fine - Vroom! no hesitation even after sitting collecting dust for the last 2+
> weeks. Connections on the battery are very good. Battery just wont' take a charge, and although I haven't checked it while "cranking", based on
> the fact that I get nothing, I'm pretty certain it is 0. The battery is 10 years old, so I guess it doesn't owe anyone anything. It just wouldn't
> handle the full discharge I threw at it after all those years.
>
> Thank you for the input - off to Canadian Tire on my way home from work tomorrow to pick up a couple of golf cart batteries & cable adapters; and
> then next weekend I will swap things around.
>
> Won't have time this week - The new semester starts tomorrow and the poop will be hitting the fan pretty steadily weekdays till December. I am
> hoping to get out to Harrison for one rally later in September, before the snow flies and before the insurance expires.

At 10 years, I don't think you 'killed' that battery. You did very, very well indeed.
I'm with Ken on going to the twin 6 volt's also, good plan.
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1975 Eleganza II, 101230

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout

 

[Deb]

> The AGM battery is a starting battery and should be used for the engine. It supplies high current for a short time. The golf cart batteries are
> deep cycle with higher storage capacity and like longer term smaller loads like what you have in the house section of the coach. The disconnect
> switch can go on either side of the battery. Mine is on the positive side.
>
> That disconnect switch is what saved me when I had an engine fire many years ago.
>
> I accidentally hit send in the previous posting before I had finished typing.

Good to hear Ken. I won't bother trying to switch the disconnect. Just what i saw when reading about them. Cdn Tire has deep cycle 6V for $200 each
- the AGM 12V I was looking at was $160. So - I will be putting up an extra $250-ish but I think worth it in the long run - especially since my Onan
still isn't running. I'd like to give myself as much house juice as possible!

Well, although I can't get in to shop today, I can take out the old and pull out the Interstate in preparation for the switch. Not going anywhere
wight now anyway.
--
Deb McWade

"Li'l Sister"

'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;

TZE167V101404

It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Deb]

> > Thanks Ken - It made sense to me, but what the heck do I know. I killed my other battery!
> >
> > And Jim - yes, thank god for the batt boost. Started up just fine - Vroom! no hesitation even after sitting collecting dust for the last 2+
> > weeks. Connections on the battery are very good. Battery just wont' take a charge, and although I haven't checked it while "cranking", based on
> > the fact that I get nothing, I'm pretty certain it is 0. The battery is 10 years old, so I guess it doesn't owe anyone anything. It just
> > wouldn't handle the full discharge I threw at it after all those years.
> >
> > Thank you for the input - off to Canadian Tire on my way home from work tomorrow to pick up a couple of golf cart batteries & cable adapters;
> > and then next weekend I will swap things around.
> >
> > Won't have time this week - The new semester starts tomorrow and the poop will be hitting the fan pretty steadily weekdays till December. I
> > am hoping to get out to Harrison for one rally later in September, before the snow flies and before the insurance expires.
>
>
> At 10 years, I don't think you 'killed' that battery. You did very, very well indeed.
> I'm with Ken on going to the twin 6 volt's also, good plan.
> Hal

Maybe I didn't kill it outright - just put it out of it's misery! Maybe a new battery might give me better luck starting the Onan too. Can only
hope. :roll:
--
Deb McWade

"Li'l Sister"

'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;

TZE167V101404

It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[john phillips]

​I would shop a little harder if I were you. That is about twice as much
as I paid for group GC2 at Costco for the two I got last month even after
doing the canaidan to us conversion.​ The prices in the US seem to be
fairly stable.
This is not me and he is mixed up on how to hook these up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y07Q5P_HbM

> > The AGM battery is a starting battery and should be used for the engine.
> It supplies high current for a short time. The golf cart batteries are
> > deep cycle with higher storage capacity and like longer term smaller
> loads like what you have in the house section of the coach. The disconnect
> > switch can go on either side of the battery. Mine is on the positive
> side.
> >
> > That disconnect switch is what saved me when I had an engine fire many
> years ago.
> >
> > I accidentally hit send in the previous posting before I had finished
> typing.
>
>
> Good to hear Ken. I won't bother trying to switch the disconnect. Just
> what i saw when reading about them. Cdn Tire has deep cycle 6V for $200
> each
> - the AGM 12V I was looking at was $160. So - I will be putting up an
> extra $250-ish but I think worth it in the long run - especially since my
> Onan
> still isn't running. I'd like to give myself as much house juice as
> possible!
>
> Well, although I can't get in to shop today, I can take out the old and
> pull out the Interstate in preparation for the switch. Not going anywhere
> wight now anyway.
> --
> Deb McWade
>
> "Li'l Sister"
>
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
>
> TZE167V101404
>
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*

 

[Ken H.]

Deb,

That price for golf cart batteries sounds at least twice as high as it
should be -- I take it you're in Canada, but even then, that sounds STEEP!
Aren't you close enough to the border to buy them at a USA Sam's Club or
some such? Even Sam's best EGC-2 is only $118; GC-2 is only $85:
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell-golf-car-battery-
group-size-egc2/prod3590220.ip?athcpid=prod3590220&athena=
true&athpgid=pdp&athmtid=VaV&athznid=sams_ip_VaV&parentpid=
prod3590228&xid=pdp:carouseleople-who-viewed-this-item-also-viewed:2

Oh yeah, you asked earlier about terminal adapters: There are top terminal
to stud adapters readily available cheap; you should be able to use those
with no problem. I'm not familiar with the extension/adapters you
mentioned, but the idea doesn't appeal to me -- I see no need to add
additional potential problem connections.

Ken H.

 

[Deb]

I know they sound pricey. I am going to stop into Costco (borrowed my neighbour's membership!) where it should be a bit better than Cdn Tire.
It isn't just the exchange (~25%) it's also the import costs. The import costs are around 10%+

I wish I could pop across the border I'm about 4 hours from a border crossing. Not worth it for a battery (even 2). Now if I could find a few
other items to make it worthwhile.....

My neighbour has offered me a 12V deep cycle RV/marine battery that he isn't using. He no longer has the coach and won't be using it. I'm going to
put a charge on it and see how it goes. Might use it until I head down to the US and can pick up a couple fo 6V at a better price. I'll see what it
looks like at Costco tomorrow.

I'll take a close look at the battery cables - if it looks like I can use the straight up adapters, I would rather go that route too.
--
Deb McWade

"Li'l Sister"

'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;

TZE167V101404

It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[john r. lebetski]

I would just get the correct Group 78 engine battery. Addapting from top to side is hoakey and an invitation for more exposed positve to short to
something grounded.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

 

[Bruce Hart]

Deb,
Napa has an adapter for the side post
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PHI86411

This is actually a hex sided adaptor so it can be snugged with a wrench.

On Mon, Sep 4, 2017 at 1:24 PM, John R. Lebetski
wrote:

> I would just get the correct Group 78 engine battery. Addapting from top
> to side is hoakey and an invitation for more exposed positve to short to
> something grounded.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class

 

[Deb]

That's a good point John. That was the down-side that I was seeing when I was checking into these. That and if you have short cables and minimal
maneuvering space, you may not have enough length to attach to your posts. I do have protective covers for both pos & neg terminals and there is a
bucket-load of room in there!
But since I do want to upgrade the house power to golf cart batteries, and I have a VERY good 12V AGM Interstate there, I think I will take advantage
of what I have. Same battery - top post instead of side post - might even just change out the cables to top-mount connections. Solve both problems

--
Deb McWade

"Li'l Sister"

'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;

TZE167V101404

It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Deb]

Thanks Bruce. But I have side mount cables and I am needing to fix onto a top-post battery (the Interstate) I wish it was the other way around.
Would be a bit easier with those adapters!
--
Deb McWade

"Li'l Sister"

'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;

TZE167V101404

It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[john r. lebetski]

Keep in mind any add on addaptor stuff WILL cause voltage drop. When clean it will not be much but as connections degrade it gets worse. The GM guys
knew what they were doing with side terminals as junk is less likely to collect on the side of the case and cause parasitic drains. Some hate em, some
love em
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

 

[don adams]

> Thanks Bruce. But I have side mount cables and I am needing to fix onto a top-post battery (the Interstate) I wish it was the other way around.
> Would be a bit easier with those adapters!

Hi Deb
This is probably the easiest, cheapest thing you will ever fix on your GMC.
Any shop that sells batteries should have a battery terminal adapter, 5 to 12 bucks American for a pair.
Welcome to the group and many happy miles.

http://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/duralast-battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/257145_0_0
--
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba

"]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG][/url]

 

[don adams]

and by the way, you might want to hold off on getting those house batteries until closer to Spring, so they are not just sitting around.
--
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba

"]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG][/url]

 

[d c *mac* macdonald]

Get a 34/78 battery. It has BOTH sets of terminals. That's what I use in my 99 GMC Sierra 2500 pickup. Side-mount terminals came with the truck but I use the top terminals to run my ham radio and other accessories by using clamp battery terminals like the ones shown in the message below for the extra wires.

D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Don Adams
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2017 17:50
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] replacement battery questions

> Thanks Bruce. But I have side mount cables and I am needing to fix onto a top-post battery (the Interstate) I wish it was the other way around.
> Would be a bit easier with those adapters!

Hi Deb
This is probably the easiest, cheapest thing you will ever fix on your GMC.
Any shop that sells batteries should have a battery terminal adapter, 5 to 12 bucks American for a pair.
Welcome to the group and many happy miles.

http://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/duralast-battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/257145_0_0
[http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/azb/DL06071/image/3/]http://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/duralast-battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/257145_0_0

Duralast Battery Terminal End and Adapter - AutoZone.comhttp://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/duralast-battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/257145_0_0
www.autozone.com
Shop for Duralast Battery Terminal End and Adapter DL06071 with confidence at AutoZone.com. Parts are just part of what we do. Get yours online today and pick up in ...

Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba

"]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG][/url]

 

[dave king]

Deb, I have not seen golf cart batteries at Costco in the
Toronto area.
I was in a Canadian Tire in Perth Ontario and they had a big AGM
Deep cycle for 450 dollars (cdn)

--
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada