PredatorRV Roadhawk Batteries - Montana Owners Club

Andy Smith · 02-08-2021, 03:52 PM

Hello! I'm looking to see if anyone has any information on the batteries that CW installed in my camper. I have a 2020 3855BR and it looks like they are Predator RV Roadhawk batteries. I can't figure out how to get the compartment opened to check them and need to find out if they're AGM or lead-acid and what kind of maintenance they require.

The RV was purchased in March of 2020 and we use it for full-time living. We've had a handful of issues, including a power outage where the batteries were drained. They work fine for all the 12v appliances. The inverter indicates a resting output of 13.2-13.6V most of the time I checked it.

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but the compartment they're in is really tight under the hydraulic fluid reservoir and I've not been able to open it fully to see anything more about the batteries and don't know how exactly to open it up, what order to detach the leads, if it's safe to do so while on shore power, etc. Any advice for a newbie is appreciated.

BobStack · 02-08-2021, 04:59 PM

Here's the info..... they are AGM Heavy Duty Marine Deep Cycle Battery 8A24M made by Deka but sold as predator

https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.co...Sheet-0194.pdf

Hope that helps.

This is what I just ordered, two of them

https://bigbattery.com/products/12v-...e-power-block/

Andy Smith · 02-08-2021, 05:02 PM

Thanks Bob Stack Do you have another link? This one seems truncated and isn't going to the site.

BobStack · 02-08-2021, 05:04 PM

just fixed the link.

https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.co...Sheet-0194.pdf

twindman · 02-09-2021, 06:34 AM

No offense, but you guys must be rolling in money! $1000 !!! I use Trojan T105 for $125 each for total of 250. I get about 4 years or more out of them. I could go 16 years for $1000. However, I do have to check/add water a couple of times each summer.

Andy Smith · 02-09-2021, 06:36 AM

I am really surprised that CW would put high end batteries that cost $1000 in an RV off the lot without any prodding from a customer. Does anyone else have any experience in something like this? My general thought was you get whatever is available and inexpensive.

BobStack · 02-09-2021, 06:45 AM

10 year warranty, max 175 amp, can draw it down twice as far as yours. It would take 3-4 of yours to compete with one these batteries, so you’ll need around 6-9 batteries or more to outlast one of these. They also have a built in heater for cold weather and you can change out an internal cell in around 10 minutes if one fails.

Creeker · 02-09-2021, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Smith

I am really surprised that CW would put high end batteries that cost $1000 in an RV off the lot without any prodding from a customer. Does anyone else have any experience in something like this? My general thought was you get whatever is available and inexpensive.

Your batteries which are Deka 8A24M cost around $200 each off the shelf at many retail outlets. They are a group 24 size and rated around 75 to 80 Ah.

That said, when buying a new camper, you can negotiate anything you can get into the deal. Many people get hitches installed in their trucks or solar panels installed on roof. Others will go for a different mattress or even a different Television.

In the end your going to pay for whatever you negotiate. It just makes the camper meet your needs a little better from the start.

RickyRobert · 02-09-2021, 08:29 AM

If CW installed the 8A24M battery (x2?) in your rig then you received an AGM Group 24 battery rated at 79ah which retails for just over $200. Being AGM is good, but at only 79ah I would hope that they installed two (2). CW provided me with standard wet cell (x2) which I immediately replaced with two (2) Group 31 AGMs that are each rated for 105ah, and I carry CW's batteries in storage cases in the back of the pickup as perfectly good backups. BTW, I had to totally remove the factory's battery box as will not hold two Group 31s, and replace with a different hold down system that I found on Amazon. Simply pried the top canopy off after disconnecting venting hose and then unscrewed the base plate.

Andy Smith · 02-09-2021, 09:42 AM

Thanks for the clarification. Yes there are two batteries in there, but I can't see any model numbers so was looking for anything additional. The top of the battery box is really tight under the hydraulic fluid tank with the positive lead nearly hitting it, so I'm not entirely sure how to move it to get in there but didn't think to ask about it during our PDI.

If they're indeed AGM batteries and you can tell that from the picture I posted, I'll backburner my anxiety over it.

We full time but are always on shore power, so the battery amp hour capacity is not as big a concern for us.

RMcNeal · 02-10-2021, 06:23 AM

Andy, I have a 2019 3791RD that came with only 1 of these batteries from CW. I have the residential refrigerator that runs on inverter when not plugged into shore power. I also had the same concerns at first, but after 15 months of use, this battery is still running strong. I intend to keep it until it fades or dies, then replace with 2 group 27 batteries. According the the measurements, they will just barely fit in the battery box that came with our rig. We NEVER boondock and only travel 5-6 hours each day at most, so I have no need for high amp hour batteries or $1000.00 Lithium ones. If you got 2 of these, I would say you are ahead of the curve. I only got one, probably should have gotten 2, but didn't know any better at the time. So far, no complaints on this battery though.
The pic of your battery box looks just like mine. To remove the cover, there are 8 or 9 phillips screws around the lip and it just pulls off. I've read that AGM batteries do not require venting, but since it is directly below my bed, I keep the cover on anyway. I added a knife style disconnect on the negative post of the box that I use to completely disconnect the batteries when in storage. Here's what I have...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Jritz · 02-24-2021, 03:26 PM

I have the same RV, bought it 9/2019, it’s a 2020. I bought it from CW also. The batteries in mine are RoadHawk heavy duty deep cycle. I’ve pulled my RV about 25,000 miles since I bought it, have not had any problems with it.
To get them out, disconnect the top cables from the box, that will give you enough room to take the cables off the batteries and then the top just comes right off.

firestation12 · 02-24-2021, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twindman

No offense, but you guys must be rolling in money! $1000 !!! I use Trojan T105 for $125 each for total of 250. I get about 4 years or more out of them. I could go 16 years for $1000. However, I do have to check/add water a couple of times each summer.

From what I can see of the battery picture, it appears using AGM batteries was a good choice. I'd hate to access battery fill caps to check acid levels, or to clean batter cables which lead acids have a tendency to corrode.

mlh · 02-24-2021, 05:30 PM

Predator RV Roadhawk Batteries are rebranded Deka batteries. There are only 4 battery manufacturers in the US. They make batteries for everyone.
A few years ago we were camping and my nephew said Die Hard batteries were the best until I showed him my Walmart batteries came out of the same plastic mold. Plastic molds are like finger prints no two are exactly the same especially a mold like battery.
Lynwood

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