4D Battery Deals?

[dfinn]

I'm in Utah. Unfortunately I was just out there with my van for a week of surfing around San Clemente and had I known I would've stopped by and picked up a new battery. I wish I could say I'll be back soon but it might be a while.

[johnnycrash]

I'm confused about batteries. I keep reading that you need one type of battery to start, and another to run the house. When I look under the rig, I see 2 batteries and they are wired together. I suspect these are the only two batteries as I can't find one up closer to the engine.

I need to replace them both.

Assuming I have to get 2 different types, what is a good starter battery and what is a good AGM battery?

I also want to add solar. So eventually I will add a few more AGM batteries, mounted on the other side of the rig.

Suggestions?

[jage]

If you've got a diesel those are both the starter batteries. They're just like any other car battery, except there are two. You're right you should replace them in pairs and you can replace them with any starter battery type that is the right size (both to fit in the battery cases and to have enough power for the engine). All that should be factory and any mechanic or battery store should be able to help.

The house side is separate, and used to power cabin lights, refrigerators, water pumps, heater blowers and other things. I have no idea what your build is, or even what your van is, but ideally these "house" batteries should be isolated from the starters, such that you don't get stranded by running down the starter batteries. There are a ton of discussions about both, or either, but I can see where the initial distinction might be unclear.

Hopefully that gives you enough clarification to search, otherwise you should provide more info about your van and why you think you need to replace the batteries.

[Ford_6L_E350]

When your van is in the tent, can you run power to it? Just an extension cord, and add a timer so twice a week it gets shore power for an hour or two just to keep the batteries topped off.

That's what I would do if I didn't get to park outside and have my solar keep the batteries up.

Mike