What group batteries are supposed to be in a 379 FL

[Abqscott]

I was checking out the installation of my two batteries and after reading the Solitude Owners Manual I discovered this unit is designed for group 27 deep cycle batteries. What it has is group 24 dual usage batteries. My Big Country I traded in for this had the group 27 batteries, did I get short changed?

 

[Cate&Rob]

A group 27 deep cycle battery is pretty much the industry standard. A group 24 is going to be rather rattling around loose in that battery box. Yes . . . I think you got short changed.

Rob

 

[TucsonJim]

I checked the Batteries Plus website to get some info. Their deep cycle group 27 battery has 575 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps). The dual usage group 24 battery has 550 CCA. Unless you're doing a lot of boon docking where you're trying to wring out every last bit of battery usage you can, it will make little difference. However, I'd still try to get this remedied. RV manufacturers don't typically install batteries. The selling dealer does. If your dealer installed batteries that were smaller than specified, I'd ask them to replace the group 24 batteries with group 27 batteries.

 

[Abqscott]

Thanks guys, that's what I thought. All we do is boon docking so that is important to me.

 

[TucsonJim]

Thanks guys, that's what I thought. All we do is boon docking so that is important to me.

Scott. If you're doing lots of boon docking, you might even see if you can upgrade to two six volt AGM batteries. It will be quite a bit more, but you will really be upgrading. That's what I did, and it supports my solar array very well.

 

[larry-y]

I bought my 379 FL in Madison Alabama. It has the group 24. I am problems with the long awning not retracting without help. Grand Design and I think it could be the battery but Madison RV told me that they will not put the group 27 in unless I pay for it. Not happy with Madison RV. They told me the battery was OK but it was dead. How did they check it?

 

[huntr70]

The 5th wheels do not come with batteries, so whatever is put in comes from the dealer.

We use all Group 24 unless someone requests Group 27. They are set up for 1 battery from GD.

 

[huntr70]

I bought my 379 FL in Madison Alabama. It has the group 24. I am problems with the long awning not retracting without help. Grand Design and I think it could be the battery but Madison RV told me that they will not put the group 27 in unless I pay for it. Not happy with Madison RV. They told me the battery was OK but it was dead. How did they check it?

Batteries can be load tested without being charged.

We charge an upgrade charge as well for a Group 27. They average about $40 more than a 24.

 

[Abqscott]

If Grand Design specs a particular battery type not brand, and the performance of their electrical system is based on that spec, I would be interested in hearing what GD says about the difference and if they think it's a good idea.

 

[Abqscott]

Thanks Jim. I plan on doing that when I add solar this summer. I just finished reinstalling my Onan 5500 this weekend and have 3 battery boxes installed. Was planning on using the group 27's I thought I would have until then.

 

[huntr70]

If Grand Design specs a particular battery type not brand, and the performance of their electrical system is based on that spec, I would be interested in hearing what GD says about the difference and if they think it's a good idea.

Well, I don't think anything is spec'd for a Group whatever. It is all 12 volt.

If they are going to say it has to be a certain type, maybe they should send them with batteries installed. The industry standard is a Group 24.

 

[offtohavasu]

They way I look at it, volts is volts is volts. 12 volts is 12 volts. The issue would be capacity (amps). Cold Cranking Amps mean nothing in these cases. You don't need the "surge" that CCA will give you, you want to look at amp hour ratings. That is what you need to know to determine which battery you want.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Re: Battery Capacity . . . see discussion on related thread
http://www.granddesignowners.com/fo...Electrical-System-Set-Ups?highlight=precision

 

[Abqscott]

It actually is spec'd on page 67 of the Solitude Owners Manual.

Well, I don't think anything is spec'd for a Group whatever. It is all 12 volt.

If they are going to say it has to be a certain type, maybe they should send them with batteries installed. The industry standard is a Group 24.

 

[Abqscott]

Here it is.

By the way. We installed 2 group 27 batteries in a Reflection 29 RS that my co worker got a few weeks before mine and the awning and the slides run much smoother and faster.

 

[Paul & Deb]

It actually is spec'd on page 67 of the Solitude Owners Manual.

My grandson would say "snap!" I'd say that's ammunition enough to get the dealer to swap them out or get GD involved. I went with 6 volt GC batteries so ....

 

[1970kw]

Two 6volt golf cart batteries in our 337 as well. I had them in our last trailer and got 8 years out if the first set. I replaced them 2 months before we purchased our Reflection and had the dealer swap them out for the standard single 12volt.

 

[Abqscott]

Update: I love Aloha RV in Albuquerque. After meeting with them today they are swapping out my Group 24 batteries for Group 27 batteries, all at no charge. That IS Grand Design Style customer service at its best. Thank you Aloha RV!

Here it is.
View attachment 1394
By the way. We installed 2 group 27 batteries in a Reflection 29 RS that my co worker got a few weeks before mine and the awning and the slides run much smoother and faster.

 

[TucsonJim]

If I ever need service in the future, I might consider driving from Tucson to Albuquerque. It sounds like your service department is top notch.

 

[Abqscott]

They are the nicest group of folks. Laid back and easy to work with.