This morning I learned that each one of my two Interstate Batteries had a dead cell. These were only 20 months old. Their warranty is 12 months full replacement; then zilch!The ones they replaced were also Interstate, as they lasted less than two years also.The original batteries that came with the TT lasted 4 years, and they were probably "cheapies".I won't be buying anymore Interstates!

Strange the battery would develop a dead cell. Was it low on water?I've used Interstates over the years and they seem to be about the same as the no-name batteries I've used; no better, no worse.

My interstate batteries are over 8 years old and still working.Are sure there Isn't something wrong with your electrical system?

Surprising to say the least. I've had an Interstate 12-volt in a 5th wheel for almost 6 seasons and two 6-volt Interstates in our motorhome for 5 years without any issues. The one 12-volt Interstate in our current TT just finished it's 3rd season and still works great.On all of them, I only ever needed to top off the water after 6 months.

Would be interesting to know what Converter/charger you are using in your TT. Would also be interesting to know what year your TT is as well... I started out with 4ea 85AH GP24 12V Interstates in my 2008 Starcraft 14RT off-road camper and lost one right away due a to a bad cell. It had run down on fluids which caused it to short out one on the cells. This was caused by having a single mode Charger setup that always puts 13.6VDC DC Voltage. The 13.6VDC is known to boil out your fluids over time and to prevent the batteries from shorting out the cells is do a fluid inspection on a regular basis. I was doing it once a week after I lost one of my batteries. In 2009 I replaced my single mode converter/charger for a multi-mode smart mode charger which took care of my batteries being boiled out of fluids. I still check the fluids regularly out of habit I guess but the fluid level never seem to be needed any replacement distilled water.My remaining three 85AH standard issue GP24 12V batteries are just now needing replacement and I have really put them to the test over the last several years camping off grid with them.I have done very good with the performance of my GP24 12V Interstates...The other thing I really watch is to never let them get discharged below the 12.0VDC level which is the approximate 50% charge state. I stop using the batteries when the DC Volts hits the 12.0VDC mark and recharge for three hours right away to bring them back up to their 90% charge state before using them again.Roy Ken

Interstate Batteries let me down | Good Sam Community

nineoaks2004
Explorer
Oct 05, 2016
I have used Interstate batteries in my boats, RV's and tractors for years and have never had any problem with them. You could have gotten a bad one but usually the problem is caused by something else. Upkeep on the batteries is important and I developed that habit in the Navy with a whole bank of Gyro compass standby batteries.
bpounds
Nomad
Oct 04, 2016
Why is it necessary to insinuate that the guy doesn't know how to maintain his batteries?

A surprisingly high percentage of exchanged batteries actually did not fail at all. Besides the crook above who just exchanges them for no reason at all, you have folks who will immediately buy a battery when their car won't start, without checking their charging system and cables. And maybe a second time when that one goes dead, before they figure out something else must be wrong.

We had a used battery shop here in town that made this fact their business. They collected used batteries, pulled off all labels, pressure washed them inside and out, spray painted the jars, and replaced the electrolyte. Give it a 6 month warranty and hope for the best. I have no idea of the percentages, but it was enough to make a business out of it. Environmental restrictions put them out of business.
hohenwald48
Explorer
Oct 04, 2016
beemerphile1 wrote:
Most batteries die of abuse and neglect from the owner. Few die of old age.

What he said.
bpounds
Nomad
Oct 04, 2016
tshirtman wrote:
Get them at Costco.
Take them back at 11 months.

Your father must be very proud. :R
bpounds
Nomad
Oct 04, 2016
I have also lost faith in Interstate, after a long love affair. The 6V batteries in our trailer have lasted many years and still going. Meanwhile, I have gone through two pairs in my truck, neither of which made it to 3 years. I hope Interstate gets their act back together, but for now I put something else in my truck.
westend
Explorer
Oct 04, 2016
tshirtman wrote:
Get them at Costco.
Take them back at 11 months.

Only one problem with that. A guy has to schlep batteries out-and-in. I've handled thousands of batteries ( did a short stint in a recycling plant) and I made a deal with myself and my Maker, as little battery schlepping as possible and no more drywall hanging. :B

FWIW, now I have five batteries in the trailer and solar does a better job of charging than I can with the 120V converters and chargers I have. The better news is no schlepping.
tshirtman
Explorer
Oct 04, 2016
Get them at Costco.
Take them back at 11 months.
nickthehunter
Nomad II
Oct 04, 2016
deleted!
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Oct 04, 2016
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/static/pdf/warranty/IB_warranty_2014_USenglish.pdf

Admit it. You bought the cheap one!
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Oct 04, 2016
Blame it on Johnson Controls, not Interstate. Interstate is just a distributor of batteries. There aren't many battery mfgs in the US and one company rebuilds batteries ans sells them. Every part of a battery is recyclable. Gopher Resource Tampa Battery is a huge one and they melt everything down and make a new battery. Gopher Resource Tampa is expected to take in 60,000 spent batteries a day and put out 30 to 50 tons of completely repurposed materials every 24 hours. If you are so disgusted with Interstate, buy a Concorde Battery Corporation aircraft battery and it should last three years.