New owner; 1991 Signature. Need battery information and education. Thanks.

[Van Toliver]

I am purchasing a 1991 Monaco Signature Series Diesel motor home...What kind and how many batteries does it take..

[Doug and Nicki]

Typically, there are two 12 volt engine starting batteries. On the house battery side, most have two or four six volt, deep cell batteries. However, many are now going to lithium and other batteries. You should do some research on this to determine what makes sense for your intended use. You will get all kinds of answers on this from others, so best to do your own research. There is a YouTube channel called AZexpert. That guy seems to know his stuff on batteries. There are a lot of other sources as well.

[vito.a]

The oldest model I've worked on is 1995, but most of these big coaches used the same battery setup.  The big coaches back then used two 8D batteries for engine start.  Today, most folks have changed these to two Group 31 commercial batteries.  

The house used two commercial 8D deep cycle batteries.  Most of us converted these to four GC2 6-volt golf cart batteries with 2 each wired in series for 12v.  

Hope this helps.  

[Tom Cherry]

In the early years….maybe….there might have been ONE starting battery….a BIG ONE.  But more likely 2. They should each have a minimum 750 CCA rating…but most upgrade to 950 CCA chassis or starting.

There are, as stated, usually FOUR 6 VDC Deep Cycle batteries.  Usually are classed as GC2 or Golf Cart #2 size.  Two each are connected Positive to Negative.  Thus you have 12 VDC across them. THEN, the two sets of series strung batteries are connected in Parallel….

Each battery,  since it is a DEEP CYLE is rated in AMP HOURS…. 215 - 225.  The two in SERIES counts as ONE…so you get 225 Amp Hours ftom them.  But put each set of TWO (series connected) in parallel….then the MH will have say…450 Amp Hours of capacity.  Now, you never drain or are supposed to go below 50 State of Charge) or 50% depleted….here is a good explanation of batteies and maintenance.  We spend a LOT of time keeping our batteries happy.

As far as Lithiums go, there would be a major demolition a d gutting of a MH of that vintage to retrofit to Lithiums.  Otherwise, the inverter/charger will destroy them….as well as take a major slice from one’s wallet.  A new inverter snd remote.  Separating the Lithium House from the Engine’s charging system and so forth.

YES..folks, after a lot of reading and studying and research are doing it. But we have almost an equal number that thought a BATTERY IS A BATTERY snd got less than a year of two.  Then, faced with the expense to properly install them and the capital outlay….not to mention loss ($$) of the first set…chose not to go down that path again,

We do have a LOT of experts…but they also have a good electrical background or read and learned….

 

[Van Toliver]

Thanks...Question,  where is the cranking battery located..