Engine Starting Battery

Keep Batteries Plus store in mind......that's where all mine come from

I think maintenance is more important that brand of batteries. Case in point my first set of batteries were Trojan's for both starting and house batteries. I dry camp 95% of the time and these batteries lasted 4 years. My next set were Sam's club for the house and Walmart for the chassis. These were almost half the cost of the Trojans. The chassis battery from Walmart lasted 9 years and the house batteries are 12 years old and still going strong. When I charge the house batteries I also charge the chassis battery. On my tow car I just let the alternator charge the battery and get about 4 years out of those. I chose Walmart for the chassis battery because there are Walmart's where ever I travel. Twice I replaced my Tow car battery when out of state in a Walmart parking lot. The newer ones have a 5 year warranty.

Chum lee wrote:

"In general, buy the most expensive name brand nationally available battery you can afford that has the longest unconditional 100% free replacement warranty. Pay less attention to the pro rated portion of the battery warranty, but, it is important."

Theoldwizard1 responded:


"Good advice, but the batteries sold at Sams and Costco pretty much match or beat all major brands."

I guess I wasn't clear enough. IMO, Sam's Club, Costco, WalMart, etc., are what I consider to be "name brand national retailers" so anything they sell could be considered a national brand, just by definition. (consider their sales volume and national distribution network) (important for RVer's because they tend to travel more) Of course, it goes without saying that you should shop for the best price as part of your battery selection/purchase process.

OK, are we done re-splitting previously split hairs or need we go on?

Chum lee

time2roll wrote:
For superior performance and long life consider Odyssey AGM battery.
For economy consider Costco.

What size?

I once bought into that "Longer life" myth

Turns out they were the fastest dying batteries in the RV
AND. what's more I set 'em up with their own charger programmed for AGM's (Independent of the Flooded Wet House Battery Bank)

I was not pleased

How to make your signature so we can serve you better:

1. Log on and click "My Preferences".
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3. Scroll to the bottom and click "Submit Changes"
4. Exit and you're done.

[]Now DEKA (East Penn Battery) is a MADE IN THE USA product right down to the lead that forms the plates. They make it in house (They own the smelting plant) no other battery company that I know of can say that. I've been happy so far battery is 5 years old now.. Shows no signs of aging that I can detect from driver's seat.. Old (OEM) batteries lasted 9 years.

This link is from 12/2013. There are no longer any lead smelting plants in the U.S.https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/12/23/the-last-lead-smelter-in-the-us-closes-because-the-hippies-won/#2f571613642b

For superior performance and long life consider Odyssey AGM battery.
For economy consider Costco.

What size?

wa8yxm wrote:
Well Sam's has good prices on batteries if you are already a member. COSTCO is #2 on the list with the same caravat. Since I'm not a member I went with DEKA

Sams sell Duracell lead acid batteries which are made by East Penn/DEKA.

COSTCO sells Interstate Batteries which come from one of the major US lead acid battery companies (there are only a hand full).

Chum lee wrote:
In general, buy the most expensive name brand nationally available battery you can afford that has the longest unconditional 100% free replacement warranty. Pay less attention to the pro rated portion of the battery warranty, but, it is important.

Good advice, but the batteries sold at Sams and Costco pretty much match or beat all major brands.

This is interesting, my engine batteries are two 12V sealed batteries.

In general, buy the most expensive name brand nationally available battery you can afford that has the longest unconditional 100% free replacement warranty. Pay less attention to the pro rated portion of the battery warranty, but, it is important.

The CCA rating should be equal to or greater than the battery that came in the vehicle. The higher the CCA rating, the better.

You have to decide whether you want (can afford) lead/acid, maintenance free, AGM, or, ?. Generally you get what you pay for, but, every battery manufacturer occasionally has a super nova and unfortunately, also leaves a few turds in the punch bowl.

Chum lee