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Old 03-05-2023, 08:21 AM   #1
RKassl
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Interstate Battery "27M EFB" Question

Time for a new deep cycle battery for the Montana. The Interstate standard 27M series came with the trailer. Interstate now has a newer upgrade 27M EFB. A few dollars more but it is a sealed battery. It is not an AGM or lithium type.



Has anyone used this newer battery in their trailer? Any issues or comments?


Thanks!
 
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Old 03-05-2023, 11:42 AM   #2
rohrmann
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It looks like the 27M is their Marine starting battery, but the 27M-EFB is their Marine/RV deep cycle one.
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/...rine-batteries


https://www.interstatebatteries.com/.../rv-deep-cycle
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Old 03-05-2023, 12:11 PM   #3
mlh
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There is only 4 or maybe 5 battery manufacturers in it US. That battery is sold by several companies. Interstate is a good company. Look for the highest watt hours at the cheapest price from any company.
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Old 03-15-2023, 08:42 AM   #4
Joe in Texas
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It’s time for new batteries. In 2016 purchase a pair of group 24……not sure of what letters are after the. 24.
Should I stay with group 24 marine/Rv or move up.to 27? Appreciate knowledgeable response.
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Old 03-15-2023, 10:01 AM   #5
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Joe - my rig came with two group 27s in a battery box. I decided to stay with group 27 because they fit the battery box that came with the unit. I googled the "difference in group 24 and 27" and found this interesting article...

https://www.uetechnologies.com/group...d%20a%20charge

...but I don't see a compelling reason for one over the other. If your group 24s have lasted 5 years that seems pretty good to me. I replaced my original group 27s at 3 years with Duracell AGMs from Sams ($199 each). We were without power for 5 days in the December 2022 ice storm (12* for several days). When the storm was in the forecast I decided to run the furnace out in the Monte at 50* because I did not winterize the Splendide washing machine. I had not counted on loosing power for five days with temps in the teens. The batteries were drained to dead and did not charge back to a comfortable level. (We were lucky - the washing machine was not damaged from the freeze) Sams does not carry Group 27 AGM any longer (they claim there was not enough demand to keep them on the shelf). I decided to go with their lead acid Duracell group 27s.

By the way - I remember you from the North Texas pop-up camping club. It's been a long time!
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Old 03-15-2023, 10:52 AM   #6
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I was able to fit Group 31 Duracell deep cycle AGM batteries in the battery boxes that came with my rig. So far after about a year they are doing great. I keep them unhooked when I park the rig at our storage facility.
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Old 03-15-2023, 12:46 PM   #7
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I replaced the OEM single group 27 battery that was original and installed 3 Interstate group 24 SRM Deep Cycle RV batteries at 81AH each for a total of 243AH. Your Interstate 27M EFB battery @ 90AH which if plugged into power and a charger will suffice for camping. Because lead acid batteries only permit about 50% discharge I doubt you could run your furnace for long without charging the battery. My 3 24's were replaced with a lithium 8D @ 270 AH's because they would drop to 50% charge overnight in cold weather due to furnace running a lot to keep inside temps to 68-70*.

Your choice of a single Interstate 27M EFB battery will be a good replacement for the OEM battery but has limits.
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Old 03-31-2023, 08:50 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RKassl View Post
Time for a new deep cycle battery for the Montana. The Interstate standard 27M series came with the trailer. Interstate now has a newer upgrade 27M EFB. A few dollars more but it is a sealed battery. It is not an AGM or lithium type.



Has anyone used this newer battery in their trailer? Any issues or comments?


Thanks!
My Montana only came with 1 battery, Interstate 27M. I added a second battery, Interstate 27M EFB. Have not had any issues.
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Old 03-31-2023, 12:55 PM   #9
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Mine came with Interstate 27 deep cycles. Their a year old. One of the batteries just had a cell short. Caused havoc last trip out. I'll be replacing that one. Still a good battery though. If I had $1700 just laying around I'd upgrade to lithium. One day but not today.
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Old 03-31-2023, 03:59 PM   #10
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Tony,

Even though your batteries are only a year old, recommend you replace both. Your old battery will drag the new one down.
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Old 03-31-2023, 06:08 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak View Post
Mine came with Interstate 27 deep cycles. Their a year old. One of the batteries just had a cell short. Caused havoc last trip out. I'll be replacing that one. Still a good battery though.
It looks like the Interstate 27M battery has only a 1 year warranty. Pretty short IMO.
Quote:
If I had $1700 just laying around I'd upgrade to lithium. One day but not today.
You can buy a Chins 100 amp hour lithium battery for $319 off Amazon. That is less than 2 Interstate 27Ms and provides slightly more *USABLE* amp hours than two 27Ms. (A 27M has 88 amp hours each; two of them give total of 176 amp hours but only 50% (88 amp hours) is usable without affecting the life of the battery.) Plus the Lithium battery charges much faster.
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Old 04-01-2023, 06:32 AM   #12
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Much like Honda generators, Battle Born seem to be the gold standard foe LiFePo4. With that said one pays ha hefty premium plus for the name. Like Carl pointed out, there are other much less expensive options. Much like Ford, GM or Ram TVs, it all boils down to personal preference. Each will get the job done.
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Old 04-01-2023, 09:22 AM   #13
Foldbak
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I understand that batteries should be replaced in pairs. The newer Interstates have 2 year. Shon the service manager gave me a new replacement that wasn't in inventory..... I'll take my chances and replace with lithium when finances allow. Taxes took my battery money . The first time I've ever owned the feds!! Anyway Carl I appreciate the recommendation on an alternative to Battleborn. I see a lot of cheaper options but was concerned. I was looking at Hypery lithium.

What are your thoughts on these? They have a built in BMS.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...8MWBEBG9&psc=1
Here's another I was looking at.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTBQFLDX?ref=vse_pfo_vwdp
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Old 04-01-2023, 11:44 AM   #14
Carl n Susan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak View Post
....I see a lot of cheaper options but was concerned. I was looking at Hypery lithium.

What are your thoughts on these? They have a built in BMS.....
I am not really knowledgeable on different Lithium batteries so I am reluctant to comment on the aforementioned batteries. Will Prowse on You Tube is a good source for recommendations. I suggested the Chins Lithiums because two friends, who are seriously into Lithium, have the Chins and recommend them. Consequently, four more friends have installed them and are very happy.
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Old 04-01-2023, 12:46 PM   #15
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Carl beat me to it. I too highly recommend Will Prowse YouTube channel. He has more knowledge on the LiFePo4 subject that I'll ever garner.
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