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bgum's avatar
bgum
Explorer
Jul 12, 2021

12 volt AGM battery

Been quiet some time since I have purchased a battery for the camper and things change. Need opinions on best 12 volt AGM battery for the dollar. At one time batteries in the $75-$125 range met this requirement. What say you.
  • The Deka or East Penn batteries are American made too. Most of the other lower cost options are Chinese like the Vmaxtanks etc. The East Penn AGM batteries come ready to go, they claim to be made here. I started using their motorcycle AGM batteries and they have held up pretty good too. The Walmart batteries I have are made in Spain and cost more than the American Sam's Club batteries, go figure. If I had the money to spend I would buy Lifeline AGM batteries, but they are not budget friendly... not my budget anyway!
  • I just got new agm batteries for my trailer from vmaxtanks.com. They were less expensive than the optima, although not cheap. First orders get 10 percent off.
  • I'm happy with my telcom batteries that were "pulls" from cell towers. About $1 per amp-hour @ 12 volts.
  • I have used Lifeline Group 31 AGM's on my last 2 fifth wheels with great success.. I have also heard that the Deka version is just as good.. and a bit less $$$$
  • I use the Sam's/ East Penn AGM batteries in some of my stuff. But AGM's don't last like my GC2's either.


    Group 31 AGM for $179: https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-agm-deep-cycle-marine-and-rv-battery-group-size-31dtmagm/prod3590232


    Group 27 that fit in the usual Group 24 RV battery box are $158: https://www.samsclub.com/p/marine-27magm-18-mo-free/prod21234614?xid=plp_product_6

    In the RV I prefer the regular flooded lead acid GC2 6 volts for the value, "small" size and durability, they are only around $89 per. Otherwise I would go with the Group 31 AGM's if I had the room for the larger battery box.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    I do not think you can get a RV size AGM for under 100 and never could 300 perhaps but never 100.

    The batteries under 100 are GC-2 Flooded wet cells from Sam's or Costco and if I were to replace my batteries that's what I would get You need two, in series to get 12 volt.

    I've used Flooded wet GC-2's, Maintenance Free and AGM. They were all good when new but the AGM's died first, then the MF's and finally the Flooded Wet GC-2.

    However if access to the batteries for the purpose of cleaning and adding distilled water (To a level 1/4" to 1/8" inch below bottom of filler tube) then AGM might be worth the added cost.
  • Deka is a very good quality / price balance. They are one of only a hand full of companies making all the batteries. They just get relabeled for many different resellers.
    Concord LifeLines are very good but also expensive.
  • I am also in the market for new 12 volt auto AGM battery. My START AGM battery from O'Reilly's lasted only 18 months but this may be due to bad truck wiring or alternator not charging properly. I am trouble shooting this as we speak.

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