RV Deep Cycle Battery

I would steer clear of the Walmart offerings, if given the right chance. I know Mex has one in his Casa de Grande. I believe that might be his review that was on the Walmart site, linked previously. I just don't trust their products. It's me, mostly.:)

If the OP is not shopping by price, a genuine deep cycle battery would be a good choice. They can take some abuse and will give good longevity. I don't buy anything with warranty coverage in mind. That now includes vehicles. It's me, again.:B

I have both AGM and FLA batteries in my TT and I don't have enough time with them to give a long term review but either seems capable for the application. The AGM has a few advantages, will charge quicker, will not freeze if less than charged fully, has low discharge for storage. The FLA is a clear winner for price/AH. I haven't had any issues with acid ruining my clothes, injuring any adjacent gear, or lost a lot of time with maintenance. Maybe it's just me.:h :B

tplife wrote:
There are also a lot of other models available in whatever Ah you need.... Sometimes I go cheap myself, because there are a lot of different applications out there and more than one option. :)

There are MUCH more flooded battery choices out there too. Look at my sig, do those look like Costco GC's or Walmart 12's to you? I have also picked the exact amp-hours I require and I had a lot to choose from. And flooded battery does not equal cheap. My batts were nearly double the cost of yours ($260 each). Look up the cost of Rolls Surrette batteries sometime. Those are the best in the business. And how does someone with an Optima battery look down on others battery choices? LOL! That's about the worst battery you can buy. Leave those under the hood of a sand car where they belong. :)

2oldman wrote:

EldIr wrote:
it's too expensive to warrant using them.

Hey, I can't take it with me and I deserve nice things. I've worked hard for my cash and now I'm gonna enjoy it!

You can send it to me if you have too much. I'm too f*cking poor to waste money where it isn't needed. And an Optima battery sure as hell isn't needed on my tt.

Heck I dunno...
Had better reliability with WalMart MAXX than I have with Interstate DC\Marine.
The MAXX we have now still hangs in there after 18 months.
I'd buy WalMart MAXX again at least they're easy to find and buy.

Optima batteries are sprial wound AGM.. They are very very rugged PHYSICALLY and can take a lot of PHYSICAL abuse.. If you have a wave runner, or 4-runner or other "Send for your kidneys later" type vehicle.. They are the battery of choice.

For all other use they run about 60% of the capacity of a same size Lifeline AGM or a Maintenance free or Flooded wet cell and if you are driving your motor home in the "Send for your kidneys" mode.. You do not need to worry about battery life, the motor home won't last the year.

EldIr wrote:
it's too expensive to warrant using them.

Hey, I can't take it with me and I deserve nice things. I've worked hard for my cash and now I'm gonna enjoy it!

I don't consider lead-acid batteries to be "cheap stuff". They've been around a long time and are well developed. I've never owned a hydrometer, got holes in my jeans or had a battery explode. And the battery tray is a non-issue since it sits in a plastic box on the tt. I don't disagree that agm is a better technology, only that in 90% of applications, it's too expensive to warrant using them.

tplife wrote:
I'm done buying old lead-acid batteries, I can match my Ah requirements to number and models and have a lot of other options. No more hydrometers, holes in my pants, explosive gas or vent worries, or corroded battery trays.

Me too.

When my 4 T605s go, it's AGM for me. Maybe a couple 12s in series this time. Once you go AGM you won't go back.

EldIr wrote:

tplife wrote:
Costco sells their lead-acid marine batteries for $80.00. I bought their $170.00 Optima Blue-Top with a $40 off coupon for $120.00. Since I want a battery that's maintenance free, doesn't give off flammable gas, won't put holes in my pants, won't need a tray or box, charges very quickly, can be discharged lower with no damage, and can go right right inside the vehicle with me safely, the extra money is more than worth it, and I'll never buy another lead-acid over an AGM for my camping applications.

Don't have a Costco around here so I looked on the Advance Auto parts website. The cheaper group 34 blue-top is $240 minus the 30% off coupon that's on the internet is still $168. According to Optima's website, this battery is only 55ah. That's a hard sell when two Walmart 115ah cost the same as one Optima 55ah.

AGM batteries cost more but have a ton of advantages, like more useable Ah before need a recharge. There are also a lot of other models available in whatever Ah you need. If I had a typical RV with an outside battery box, I'd save the extra money for a hydrometer, battery tray repairs, and a new $50 pair of levis. Since I wanted to experience the features and advantages of an AGM firsthand, I took a chance. Like I said, I'm done buying old lead-acid batteries, I can match my Ah requirements to number and models and have a lot of other options. No more hydrometers, holes in my pants, explosive gas or vent worries, or corroded battery trays. It comes down to do you want the good stuff, or the cheap stuff. Sometimes I go cheap myself, because there are a lot of different applications out there and more than one option. :)

tplife wrote:
Costco sells their lead-acid marine batteries for $80.00. I bought their $170.00 Optima Blue-Top with a $40 off coupon for $120.00. Since I want a battery that's maintenance free, doesn't give off flammable gas, won't put holes in my pants, won't need a tray or box, charges very quickly, can be discharged lower with no damage, and can go right right inside the vehicle with me safely, the extra money is more than worth it, and I'll never buy another lead-acid over an AGM for my camping applications.

Don't have a Costco around here so I looked on the Advance Auto parts website. The cheaper group 34 blue-top is $240 minus the 30% off coupon that's on the internet is still $168. According to Optima's website, this battery is only 55ah. That's a hard sell when two Walmart 115ah cost the same as one Optima 55ah.