Has anyone struck gold with a good source of new batteries for an RML lately? Winter has shown up some of ours as past their prime!

Charles - we use Varta at work on our coaches - modern vehicles seem to drain them even with the Masters off so they take a fair bit of stick, especially after school holidays, but seem to be lasting well over four years on average - 656's can be picked up for around £125 a piece inc. VAT and Delivery.

According to our Harris Daf Rep TRP Brand batteries are made by Varta? (I have had one TRP and one Varta for about a year and so far so good !)

(Saying that I have a strong suspicion that nothing seems to made as well as it used to so the days of batteries lasting ten years or more may be a thing of the past !)

Cheers - Graham

My bus number (if any): RML2747 Gash DD6

I tried a set of 721's in 2532 and they haven't lasted very well at all, about 6 years of intermittent use. Maybe a good slow charge will pick them up. In GS67 I've got 2 big 12v batteries, VARTA I think and they hold their charge for ages.

My bus number (if any): RML2532

The average life expectancy of a battery always was 2 years ... and it still is. If you get more than this then consider yourself lucky. I have recently had to replace a battery on my car which has a date stamp of 2002. The price of new batteries has fallen quite considerably over the last year or so. Batteries like being kept clean, which does not fit in well with the annual MOT only look-over.

Charles

I recently replaced the batteries on my truck with 2 x 629 Avon 182AH 1150CCA.
I have installed a 24v C-Tek charging system to keep the batteries fully charged when it is standing around for several days at a time. In addition I have fitted battery isolator switches to both + & - battery terminals for use during those periods. Ed

http://www.yuasa.co.uk/batteries/commercial-vehicles/cargo-super-heavy-duty-batteries-shd/627shd.html



I use a pair of these in all my RMs and the GS.

You will be able to get a much better price than RRP from a local dealer.

The oldest pair, installed four years ago, started one of my AEC590 engined RMs instantly at -3C four days ago.

I gave up on 721s years ago.

My bus number (if any): RMs 238, 471 and 2213, GS17

Yes, I may well give up on 721s now, they really aren't up to spec any more despite coming from a reputable manufacturer.

My bus number (if any): RML2532

Many of our newer trucks are now using calcium batteries. They are still being evaluated but the oldest ones are now coming up to six years and outlasting other types.
Yuasa have pioneered mass produced calcium batteries and they are now cheaper than conventional items.

These are what I used for RT3183:

http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/truck-batteries/629-ultra-plus-commercial-battery/

They have been there for 5 years now and the bus has never failed to start after standing over the winter, admittedly under cover.

Someone mentioned calcium batteries - I had one from Halfrauds for my Audi 90 a couple or so years ago; even brand new it didn't hold a charge for 2 weeks, neither did the replacement. Money back and a new one from Alpha did the trick.

My bus number (if any): RT3183

Thank you, friends!

Much to explore.

Thank goodness the days are getting warmer....