BAC RV Club Forum

General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Dominic . Sue Ambrosino on June 13, 2021, 09:50:08 PM

Title: Starter Batteries for 2005 Patriot Thunder
Post by: Dominic . Sue Ambrosino on June 13, 2021, 09:50:08 PM

What batteries do you suggest? we need new ones.
thanks

Title: Re: Starter Batteries for 2005 Patriot Thunder
Post by: Lee Welbanks on June 13, 2021, 10:08:49 PM

Do you have wet battery's or AGM's?  In my 06 PT I have Lifeline GPL 1400T"s four of them, the original ones lasted until last year. Put them in and never have to mess with them again, sweet.

Title: Re: Starter Batteries for 2005 Patriot Thunder
Post by: Bill Lampkin on June 13, 2021, 10:25:16 PM

We had the Cat dealer put ours in a while back I think they are rated at 950 CCA, but I could be off a bit. The 'group size' is Group 31P according to your owners manual 12v flooded, but maintenance free. Ours were $300 the pair, installed, three years ago.

Title: Re: Starter Batteries for 2005 Patriot Thunder
Post by: Jim Nichols on June 13, 2021, 11:29:32 PM

Cat batteries for sure same price as  Interstate. Cat starter batteries we installed were 1000 cc vs 950 cc Interstate.

Title: Re: Starter Batteries for 2005 Patriot Thunder
Post by: Mike Shumack on June 15, 2021, 11:47:29 AM

Go with "AGM" - whatever brand you get. I used Interstate brand.
My House batteries are also AGM now (old picture below). No need to worry about checking water levels with AGM and potentially damaging batteries by lettings the levels get too low.

Title: Re: Starter Batteries for 2005 Patriot Thunder
Post by: Steve Huber on June 15, 2021, 07:52:48 PM

IMHO, do the math prior to jumping on the AGM bandwagon. Chassis batteries seldom have the outgassing issue that house batteries do as they normally are not run down to levels that require significant bulk charging. The CAT batteries that Jim Nichols mentioned have also performed well for me. The ones that were in my coach when I purchased it were 8+ years old when I replaced them with new CATs. even though they were still functional. I personally don't see the economic (or convenience in the case of chassis units) benefit in switching to AGMs. House batteries may present a different case if one doesn't like maintaining water levels and watching for corrosion buildups.
Steve

Title: Re: Starter Batteries for 2005 Patriot Thunder
Post by: Dave Atherton on June 16, 2021, 02:12:40 AM

Steve and Jim thank you, caterpillar batteries are made for the long haul and under very harsh
Conditions and yes will out last other brands. Using brand X batteries where several are involved
Is a very large outlay of money, it takes same amount time to install a quality battery as a less value battery, the only difference is with Caterpillar batteries lasting several more years than less value
battery. Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic