I recently bought a 2012 MTV 6x6 on consignment at an expedition RV builder in MO. The batteries are toast and need to be replaced. The truck is currently at the RV builder pending the start of an RV build with them.
They just quoted me 3 to 4 hours of labor plus parts to replace the batteries. The stated reason for why they quoted 4 hours labor to replace batteries is because the original Fiamm AGM batteries are no longer available, and the only replacement option is orange Odyssey 6TL AGMs. They say it will take several hours of battery tray modifications to mount the Odyssey 6TL batteries. Aren't 6TL batteries all the same size? Can anyone who has replaced their 6TL batteries confirm if this is a real issue? This explanation just seems a little odd to me and I want to fact check it. If what they are saying about this is incorrect, I'm afraid of what other issues will crop up while starting a very $$$ and complex build with them.
The second question I have is whether it's feasible to replace the 4 original 6TL batteries with two 8D AGM batteries, such as those offered by Lifeline. Two 8D batteries offer the exact same capacity as four 6TLs and cost quite a bit less. Dimensions of an 8D are pretty similar to two 6TLs. I figured if we are going to be stuck modifying the battery tray anyway, might as well save some money in the long run by converting over to 8Ds. Anyway, when I proposed this, the RV builder's electrician says he doesn't think this is possible because the truck has 24v and 12v electrical systems. I'm no electrician, but can't you wire two 12v batteries both in series and in parallel to give you both 12v and 24v? If I know more than their electrician that's a bit scary, but this is definitiely not my field of expertise so maybe they are right. They have built at least 10 RVs on FMTVs so I would expect them to know the platform pretty well.
What do you guys think? I'm not so much concerned about a few hours extra labor in the overall scope of a large RV build, rather I want to make sure these people actually know what they are talking about and are not BSing me.
They just quoted me 3 to 4 hours of labor plus parts to replace the batteries. The stated reason for why they quoted 4 hours labor to replace batteries is because the original Fiamm AGM batteries are no longer available, and the only replacement option is orange Odyssey 6TL AGMs. They say it will take several hours of battery tray modifications to mount the Odyssey 6TL batteries. Aren't 6TL batteries all the same size? Can anyone who has replaced their 6TL batteries confirm if this is a real issue? This explanation just seems a little odd to me and I want to fact check it. If what they are saying about this is incorrect, I'm afraid of what other issues will crop up while starting a very $$$ and complex build with them.
The second question I have is whether it's feasible to replace the 4 original 6TL batteries with two 8D AGM batteries, such as those offered by Lifeline. Two 8D batteries offer the exact same capacity as four 6TLs and cost quite a bit less. Dimensions of an 8D are pretty similar to two 6TLs. I figured if we are going to be stuck modifying the battery tray anyway, might as well save some money in the long run by converting over to 8Ds. Anyway, when I proposed this, the RV builder's electrician says he doesn't think this is possible because the truck has 24v and 12v electrical systems. I'm no electrician, but can't you wire two 12v batteries both in series and in parallel to give you both 12v and 24v? If I know more than their electrician that's a bit scary, but this is definitiely not my field of expertise so maybe they are right. They have built at least 10 RVs on FMTVs so I would expect them to know the platform pretty well.
What do you guys think? I'm not so much concerned about a few hours extra labor in the overall scope of a large RV build, rather I want to make sure these people actually know what they are talking about and are not BSing me.
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