Battery Source

The battery in our Ultra 560, built in 2011, has been replaced with the same brand used in 2011 and now: CD Technologies High Rate Max model number UPS12-300MR. The size and model is exactly like the battery we removed from the trailer compartment.

For those living in the LA and Orange County area of Southern California, I strongly recommend the CD distributor American Power Systems, in Irvine. It is one of seven across the country. The sales manager is Richard Roberson and he was very helpful. The price was right at $140.00. Phone: 714-709-6301

As Richard explained, this type of battery is designed to "store" electricity for long periods of time with a minimum of loss from storage. It is not a battery for a car as it does not have the purpose of large power releases to operate a current-drawing starter motor.

For more battery data, check American Power Systems' web site- main office in Kent, Washington or call Richard Roberson.

Wendell

 

Wendell,

That is fantastic information. That is a super price you paid too, well below what I see other people paying for replacements.

Cary

 

Hmmm... right down the street in Kent, WA
Better late than never of course, but might be helpful for a solar array setup in a cargo trailer...

nice..

 

Just to piggyback on what Wendell reported, we also needed to get a replacement battery for our 2012 Ultra 560. I tried a few local places (in San Francisco) and no one had anything suitable in stock. So I called the Stockton, CA location of American Power Systems and they had the exact replacement model in stock (UPS12-300MR). It was $138 plus tax/shipping and they boxed it up right away and it arrived on my doorstep the next day. Pretty easy!

I will say, the rep I spoke with there seemed a bit surprised that I would want to put one of these in a trailer, as apparently their primary use case is for backup power in data centers and the like.

Richard

 

Thank you for posting. This is great info to know when the need arises! And from this post, I now know there is an American Power Systems location in Garland, TX just about 30 minutes away from us.

 

so I'm curious as to how many of these Dynasty AGM batteries have had to be replaced by Camp-Inn users.

It appears that ours is bad after only 17 months and Cary tells me there's no warranty. He also told me that expected life is 6 - 10 years. Based on my experience with AGM batteries in another application that's what I would expect. C&D Technologies say these batteries have a 10 year design life.

When I read others having to replace these expensive batteries after only a few years it makes me wonder a bit.

These batteries may be perfect for our application but that's not what they're made for. Has anyone found a comparable AGM battery that you're satisfied with?

 

I am a big fan of Optima Yellow Top and Blue Top batteries. I have used them in several little driven collector cars. They hold a good charge, last a long time, and can withstand being deep discharged. However, I don't know if they make a size that will fit in the Camp Inn compact battery compartment.

 

update:
turns out the battery wasn't at all dead, just acting like it.

Something in the wiring has come a bit loose and when I tightened everything up, for the second time, all seems normal again.

I suppose it shouldn't be that unusual for a nut to back out a bit given all the shaking and bumping going on at the aft end of the trailer.

so if you have weird electrical problems sometime, make sure you double check your connections. What seems tight might not be tight enough ...