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Smitty77's avatar
Smitty77
Explorer
May 08, 2018

How long did/are your House batteries last? Survey.

Lots of posts over the last few months about how long house batteries are lasting. Also lots of claims that one battery type will outlive another battery type. So how about a non scientific bit of feedback from us all?

Suggest you answer with:

Battery Type = (Wet, AGM, Lithium, Other)
Brand/Size = (Trojan 6V GC2 T-105. Or Deka 12V 8D. Or Sam's 6V GC2. Etc.)
Bank Size/AH's = (X's 4/440AH. Or X's 6/660AH's. Etc.
Age = 6 years replaced. Or 6 years still going.
Extra Info = Nothing. Or - Blew it with undercharging. Or - Frequent drops below 50% SOC. Etc.

For sure not scientific, but might see trends.

TIA for those that share,
Smitty
  • first set of Trojan T-125's 12 years, discharged down to 25% SOC around 30 or more times/year, 50% another 30 times/year
    Second set of trojan T-125's, only 8 years old, seeing less discharges than the first set, but still have SG close to new
    My set of 4 Trojan T-125's on my big trailer, 7 years old, see 100+ charge discharge cycles/year down to 50% or less still going strong,

    All are flooded cells
  • my previous set in the safari (4) AGM 540 Amphrs total
    5 years 'full time' everyday use and charge
  • Group 29 Walmart Deep Cycle EverStart battery. Always disconnected when in storage. Never perform any kind of maintenance. 7 years.

    Steve
  • Battery Type wet

    Group 29 Marine jars from Walmart purchased in 2005 but not in use until 2009 once a year maintenance charge. Intended use, adult electric trike

    Bank Size 875 amp-hours

    Use Age closer to 8 years shorted plate in one jar (from 2009 to 2016) Rotten egg smell.

    used to power roof air, cooking, water heating PUSHED HARD

    first four years part time RV occupancy majority of charging done in storage via solar panels.

    2013 moved to full time. Batteries replaced in August 2016 with used telecom jars.
  • Battery Type = wet
    Brand/Size = T-105
    Bank Size/AH's = 4/440AH. and 6/660AH's.
    Age = 4 years replaced. Weak.

    Lots of heavy inverter use.
  • Not a fair question. I have standby batteries on their 22nd year and a Lifeline on it's seventh year. Ask a specific question....totally off-grid...number of batteries kWh transactions total per day and length of service.

    TREATED CORRECTLY
    Rolls & Surrette and Lifeline are far and away the least expensive batteries cents per kWh. Lithium? I haven't a clue...
  • Least expensive 12V batteries from Autozone or Sears. Disconnect when in storage..Batteries nearly dead after a few months in storage. Charge back up while camping and then back to storage for a few months. 4 batteries

    Average life about 5 years

    Average battery cost $85 for replacement X 4 =$340
  • Battery Type = AGM
    Brand/Size = Lifeline L16's
    Bank Size/AH's = (X's 4/800AH's
    Age = 5 1/2 years. Replaced.
    Extra Info = Under Charged for the last few years, resulted in sulfate build up


    Best to all,
    Smitty
  • Battery Type = Wet
    Brand/Size = Trojan 6V GC2 T-125
    Bank Size/AH's = X's 2/240AH's
    Age = 10+ years replaced
    Extra Info = Well cared for first 6 years


    Note: In our previous Bounder. Sold to a neighbor in the 6th year, and he replaced them somewhere in the 10th year. But, I do not believe he kept the properly maintained while not in use.

    Smitty

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