House Batteries 6volt deep cycle

[rdmike]

What replacement brand do most of you use, quality and cost in consideration. Any special deals out there?

[Trumpet_Player]

Alan_Hepburn wrote:
We just replaced our OEM Trojans in our motorhome. Went to Costco and asked about 6V batteries and the attendant had a dazed look on his face, saying "They don't train us on batteries - our rack is over there" - pointing to a corner of the room. That rack only had 12V batteries on it. Got the same reaction at 2 Costcos in town so I went online and found Eveready GC batteries at Batteries + for $99 each, with no core charge. Had to drive across town to get them, but that was no problem. The cheapest I could find on Trojans locally was $150 each!

Alan,

Just went through replacing all the house batteries in our coach last week. Went to Costco and picked them up. They had 50 6V GC batteries in stock. Costco batteries have always been produced by Interstate and branded Kirkland. All batteries at Costco are now branded Interstate. Cost was 89.00 each.

[Alan_Hepburn]

We just replaced our OEM Trojans in our motorhome. Went to Costco and asked about 6V batteries and the attendant had a dazed look on his face, saying "They don't train us on batteries - our rack is over there" - pointing to a corner of the room. That rack only had 12V batteries on it. Got the same reaction at 2 Costcos in town so I went online and found Eveready GC batteries at Batteries + for $99 each, with no core charge. Had to drive across town to get them, but that was no problem. The cheapest I could find on Trojans locally was $150 each!

[rdmike]

jplante4 wrote:

rdmike wrote:
Thanks all. Based on our lifestyle (our dry camping) consists of a rest stop at lunch time. We went with Interstate from Costco.

When installing, one of the old batteries had split up the side. Now all back to normal.

Thanks for posting your solution. Almost no one bothers to do that.

If you don't mind, could you include which Interstate battery you chose and how much?

They were Interstate CG2 from Costco and were 83.99 each, 15 dollar core.

[jplante4]

rdmike wrote:
Thanks all. Based on our lifestyle (our dry camping) consists of a rest stop at lunch time. We went with Interstate from Costco.

When installing, one of the old batteries had split up the side. Now all back to normal.

Thanks for posting your solution. Almost no one bothers to do that.

If you don't mind, could you include which Interstate battery you chose and how much?

[rdmike]

Thanks all. Based on our lifestyle (our dry camping) consists of a rest stop at lunch time. We went with Interstate from Costco.

When installing, one of the old batteries had split up the side. Now all back to normal.

[Rabbi]

We had 4 Costco Interstate 6 volt prior to installing a residential refrigerator, at that time we added 2 more (6 total replaced all at the same time) still CostCo Interstate. Over the last 20 years we have had 4 different units with various batteries and are very happy with the performance of these Interstate batteries. As a practical matter I do lean toward one of the prior postings, in that, all batteries are manufactured by 2 or 3 makers and as such in many ways there is little difference. Proper use age and care play a major role in both battery life and efficiency.

[Smitty77]

OP - You really were never clear on your usage. Thus you see from high end Lifeline AGM's to Sam's or Costco 6V wet cells.

If not dry camping often, and do not mine maintaining water levels, the Sam's and Costco 6V are usually post economical way to go.

If you want extra capacity, sill OK with maintaining water levels, and have the headroom - then the Trojan T125's and T145's picks you up more capacity and yeah at higher price.

If you want to remain in the moderate/medium price point, and do not want to maintain water levels. Then AGM 6V or 12V available, do come in Deka, Fullriver, Etc. brands.

If you want potentially (all depends upon care) longer life batteries. Then Lifeline/Concord/Rolls are some brands that usually provide longer lives and depending on specific battery, higher capacity too.

I also feel you were give good advice to check your specific charger in your unit. If it is not a quality three stage charger. Adding an independent stand alone charger, especially while in storage for longer period of maintenance, and auto de-sulfating unit too, could give you more peace of mind on your batteries.

Lots of ways, and different levels, of ways to spend your money:)!

Best of luck to you,
Smitty

[prstlk]

Costco x 2

[Gjac]

If you look at the total life cycle cost or cost /amp HR I think Sam's Club, Costco, or even Walmart batteries if you can find them are hard to beat 220,230 AH 6v GC batteries. I paid $74 each for 6v Sam's Club batteries 10 years ago and they are still going strong. I think maintenance trumps brand. My first set were Trojan 105's they lasted 4 years and were twice the price of the Sam's Club batteries. I dry camp 95% of the time. I have seen 208 AH batteries even cheaper at Walmart, Batteries Plus and Golf shops.

[jplante4]

George Beggs wrote:

lj2654 wrote:
I bought T-105 Trojans at a local golf cart dealer in Florida for $87 each.

I am just 20 miles north of you. Would you please tell me where you bought your batteries?

I saw hand written signs around West Palm announcing $87 golf cart batteries. I figured they fell off a truck somewhere. I didn't know they were Trojans.

[lonfu]

My advice, if your batt compartment will handle the dimensions, change to 12v batts. Skip the whole 6v headache thing. If you have to have 6v batts, then check the acid level every 6 months and clean the terminals at least once per year. Take the wires off the terminals, steel brush, reinstall and coat with petroleum jelly. 6v batts are especially susceptible to terminal oxidation due to their low voltage.

If you are losing water on new batts, 6v or 12v look at your charger as it may well be over charging. Check the dates on the batts when you buy them. Father in law bought 4 new interstates. 2 of the 6v units wouldn't keep a charge after 13 months, turns out they were 20 months old when he bought them new. They wouldn't replace or credit due to the age.

Never let 6v or 12v batts get below 55% charge rate, it will ruin them. That means, when they get to 11.6v charge them immediately! Buy a load meter at HF so you can check them yourself.

[RayChez]

I have had Interstate U-2200 a couple of times, but the prize has gone to $150.00 each now at an RV dealer. So I just went to an auto parts store right here in my home town of Barstow, Ca. and asked if they had any golf cart batteries that were deep cycle 6 volt. They told me they carried DEKA which I had never heard off, but at $90.00 a piece I figured I would try them out.

I have had them now four years and it seems like they are pretty good batteries.

I done the same thing with the chassis batteries. I used to buy Interstate workaholic 12 volt batteries at CW for $350. installed. When they failed I just went to Napa and asked for the best heavy duty industrial batteries that would work on my chassis. This was five years ago and they are going strong. The thing is I got them for around $100. ea.

[George_Beggs]

lj2654 wrote:
I bought T-105 Trojans at a local golf cart dealer in Florida for $87 each.

I am just 20 miles north of you. Would you please tell me where you bought your batteries?

[enblethen]

You adding water is the same issue I had with old converter. New converter install and batteries charge better, quicker and do not use very much water at all.