Coach Batteries for 2000 Roadtrek

[Horseshoecat]

We bought a 2000 Roadtrek 200 and the coach battery just does not hold a charge. Have been thinking about replacing them with two 6-volt batteries.

Any recommendations for brands or other pertinent information would be truly appreciated

HorseshoeCat

[wny-pat]

My 210V was in the same boat. I brought two Deka AGM 12 vdc 92 ah batteries. If one should go bad, I can still run without it. Price came in under $400 and tax at my local independent auto parts store. That will give me 184 Ah. I should get 8 years service. If I buy two 6 volt batteries, I might get another two years out of them. Getting old, so I can deal with the 12 volt batteries cause their lighter weight!

Oh, I like Deka cause they are a top notch company, easy to come by at a parts store, and not as pricey as some of the fancy names!

[Horseshoecat]

Thank you for your input.
Where (which compartment) did they install the batteries?
HorseshoeCat

[wny-pat]

I have a RT 210 Versatile. It has a dedicated battery box which is just forward the right rear tire. Don't know where your are. Would have to do a search.

[Horseshoecat]

The coach battery on our 2000 Roadtrek in under the coach just behind the license plate (positioned on the center-rear of the coach) in a small battery holder of sorts. Our spare tire is located in the passenger-side rear compartment.

I was thinking of have the batteries put in the rear-most driver-side compartment which would provide easy access to rerouting the battery cables from the existing battery.

Thanks for your info.

HorseshoeCat

[SteveJ]

Originally Posted by Horseshoecat

The coach battery on our 2000 Roadtrek in under the coach just behind the license plate (positioned on the center-rear of the coach) in a small battery holder of sorts. Our spare tire is located in the passenger-side rear compartment.

I was thinking of have the batteries put in the rear-most driver-side compartment which would provide easy access to rerouting the battery cables from the existing battery.

Thanks for your info.

HorseshoeCat

Others have done the same on a 200. Obviously, going to the AGM or lithium route would be required unless a closed off vented battery box was built. The side box area is sealed to fresh air but not to the interior of the van, at least in my Versatile with a permanent bed.

Perhaps a fresh group 24 battery(not marine) and a portable solar panel would work. I ran like that for 2-3 years with a 100 watt portable panel with a simple pwm controller and a Walmart "deep cycle" battery. Mostly extended boondock camping. I/we do not use much power. Good for two nights on a group 24 without the solar assuming decent weather(not much if any furnace or fan time).

I did remove the genny and fabbed up a battery mount in it's place, installed a single group 29 battery. That upped our non solar time to three days. Our daily electrical budget was 15-30 amp hours.

How is the van going to be used and your electric usage budget should be the determining factors for what is required. Details on these would get a more accurate answer instead of sort of guessing based on our usage.

[Horseshoecat]

Thank you for your info.

We use the Roadtrek several times a month for overnight trips (without shore power). It seems our coach battery only lasted about 6 hours.

Just had hand surgery so I am not in a position to pull the old battery out (just yet). It is something though that I need to fix ASAP.

HorseshoeCat

[SteveJ]

Originally Posted by Horseshoecat

Thank you for your info.

We use the Roadtrek several times a month for overnight trips (without shore power). It seems our coach battery only lasted about 6 hours.

Just had hand surgery so I am not in a position to pull the old battery out (just yet). It is something though that I need to fix ASAP.

HorseshoeCat

Is it only lasting 6 hours because it is shot or because you use a lot of juice? Or a combination of both?

Sort of related to this topic, we camped out in our new to us Safari Trek last night. I was lost without a battery monitor(long story). I have one, I was just waiting for the rest of the electrics(solar controller and PSW inverter) to arrive so I can install it all in one shot.

[Horseshoecat]

So, this is the first RV we have owned in 17 years. So still new to it.

The coach lites and water pump work fine; we have been unable to start the generator.

So I am kind of starting with the battery.

Thanks again.
HorseshoeCat

[Horseshoecat]

I had a friend pull out the coach battery on my 2000 Roadtrek.

It is a Weize 75ah / 10 hour AGM battery. Is this really sufficient for our RV?

It powers the lights just fine, but we are unable to start the generator .

New to this RV stuff so any info would be appreciated.

HorseshoeCat

[SteveJ]

Originally Posted by Horseshoecat

I had a friend pull out the coach battery on my 2000 Roadtrek.

It is a Weize 75ah / 10 hour AGM battery. Is this really sufficient for our RV?

It powers the lights just fine, but we are unable to start the generator .

New to this RV stuff so any info would be appreciated.

HorseshoeCat

Load test and/or a timed capacity test the battery to ascertain it's fitness for duty. If it checks out I would suggest doing a forum search for the genny not starting. Quite a few threads on genny issues, but it all "starts" with a good battery(see whut I dun there?).

Without knowing how much electricity that you plan on using there is no way that anyone can do anything but give you a guess if that small battery will cut it. If you are very frugal with your electric usage that size battery will probably work if it's not shot.

[Horseshoecat]

Thanks SteveJ for the insight.

I am going to take the battery to O'Reily's and have them run it through their tests.

We don't use the microwave, just the coach refrigerator and lights; well, the water pump too.

More reading to do and check the converter as well. Found an excellent YouTube video to do that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8MD...annel=MRRVTECH

Thanks again.
HorseshoeCat

[SteveJ]

Originally Posted by Horseshoecat

Thanks SteveJ for the insight.

I am going to take the battery to O'Reily's and have them run it through their tests.

We don't use the microwave, just the coach refrigerator and lights; well, the water pump too.


Thanks again.
HorseshoeCat

Yer welcome.

If not done yet, changing the lighting over to LED will help a bunch. Watch what bulbs you get though. The ones rated for only 12 volts tend to over heat and burn out because of the higher voltages from charging. Get the ones that have a voltage range of at least up to 16 volts. Slightly more expensive but they will actually perform as designed.

[ForestLass]

I replaced my 2-12v Renogy AGMs with 4-6v Lifeline GPL-6CT (AGM). Went camping off-grid last month for 3 weeks and the battery/solar system did GREAT. No problem running fridge and freezer, heater fan, water pump, lights and charging electronics.

Highly recommend Lifelines, made in US, good warranty. Renogy was terrible, do not answer phones, instead require you to fill out online inquiry form and never respond.

[rtbill]

That is a ridiculously small battery. Our '00 200 came with a 120 ah group 24 battery if memory serves. That was still a small battery but think over whether it might be adequate for your needs. You can't run the fridge off of it for very long.

I replaced the original battery with two 200 ah 6v Lifeline AGM batteries in the driver's side rear compartment. If you do this be sure the batteries are well secured.

[Horseshoecat]

Thank you to everyone that has responded.

The previous owner had "converted" the interior lights to LED. I will check them out further.

Still looking at battery choices (and more choices).

Thanks everyone.
HorseshoeCat

[Rockwood27]

As far as your generator not starting, fire up the van engine. The RT has a "relay" under the hood to allow the alternator to charge the house battery. This may give you enough extra juice to get the genny running.

[Diver007]

Originally Posted by Horseshoecat

Thank you to everyone that has responded.

The previous owner had "converted" the interior lights to LED. I will check them out further.

Still looking at battery choices (and more choices).

Thanks everyone.
HorseshoeCat

Trojan makes 6v batteries 200A and higher. The company's been in business for a long time. You need to check battery sizes with your RV space.

[wny-pat]

Clean the carburetor and replace the generator's fuel pump.

[wny-pat]

Originally Posted by Horseshoecat

I had a friend pull out the coach battery on my 2000 Roadtrek.

It is a Weize 75ah / 10 hour AGM battery. Is this really sufficient for our RV?

It powers the lights just fine, but we are unable to start the generator .

New to this RV stuff so any info would be appreciated.

HorseshoeCat

My two Deka Intimidator 8A27M AGM Group 27 batteries give me 20hr rate: 184 Ah!!! Cost me just under $400.