Looking for new batteries

[djbroughton]

Does anyone know of any deals on 6 volt, deep cycle AGM batteries for my coach? I will have to replace the 4 of them soon and am looking. I'm not hung up on name brands, price-point and Amp Hrs are important. I just checked at Sam's Club and they don't carry their 6 volt Duracells in stock only online. We are on the move for the winter and currently in Springfield, MO, heading southwest and probably ending up in southern Arizona.

Thanks,

[Mr_Mark1]

jplante4 wrote:
For the price of 4 AGMs you can get 4 wet cell Trojans or Interstate GC2s and a watering system and have enough left over for a nice dinner. Wet cells plus a watering system completely negates the "maintenance free" argument for spending twice as much for them.

There certainly are more inexpensive choices as you mentioned above. You might be eliminating watering, but, the trays and battery posts are not going to clean themselves including damaging the battery trays.

I never let my wet-cell batteries get low, ever. They just naturally outgas causing the corrosion.

On my current coach, I have 4 sealed AGM chassis starting batteries, it has looked new in that compartment for 3 yrs. now.

Our 3 house batteries are Lithium Ion, so, clean as a whistle in that storage bay too.

Safe travels,
MM.

[jplante4]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

jplante4 wrote:
For the price of 4 AGMs you can get 4 wet cell Trojans or Interstate GC2s and a watering system and have enough left over for a nice dinner. Wet cells plus a watering system completely negates the "maintenance free" argument for spending twice as much for them.

That does not stop the wet cell out gassing nor does it negate the need to check you batteries to see if they need water. The watering system just makes it easier.
Ignore you batteries and the watering system will not top them off automatically.

Yeah, I just don't find it to be a big chore. You could sell me on less battery tray maintenance tho 🙂

[rgatijnet1]

jplante4 wrote:
For the price of 4 AGMs you can get 4 wet cell Trojans or Interstate GC2s and a watering system and have enough left over for a nice dinner. Wet cells plus a watering system completely negates the "maintenance free" argument for spending twice as much for them.

That does not stop the wet cell out gassing nor does it negate the need to check you batteries to see if they need water. The watering system just makes it easier.
Ignore you batteries and the watering system will not top them off automatically.

[Sam_Spade]

jplante4 wrote:
Wet cells plus a watering system completely negates the "maintenance free" argument for spending twice as much for them.

No it doesn't.
While the maintenance might be less, it is not completely absent.
You still have to keep water in the "watering system" and check once in a while to be sure it really is doing what it is supposed to do.
Then there is the corrosion that occurs with vented acid fumes.

[Sam_Spade]

wa8yxm wrote:
there is not advantage to AGM's save for Profit to the sellers.

Your opinion.
Which is NOT shared by a really LOT of people.
Including me.

Even if you don't try to "optimize" your charging for them, they are maintenance free (except for being sure the connections stay tight) and routinely last 50 to 100% longer.

[Matt_Colie]

Before our boat business was murdered by the last regime, I installed more than a few pairs of Lifeline AGMs for house banks. I have not heard of any of those failing and you can bet that I would have if one did. We usually order from http://www.powerstridebattery.com/.
Problem: They are a US company and shipping to Canada may be an issue.

Matt

[jplante4]

For the price of 4 AGMs you can get 4 wet cell Trojans or Interstate GC2s and a watering system and have enough left over for a nice dinner. Wet cells plus a watering system completely negates the "maintenance free" argument for spending twice as much for them.

[rgatijnet1]

The Duracell 6 volt CG2 AGM batteries sell for $154 at Sam's Club.

[Mr_Mark1]

AGM batteries are a commitment price-wise. Our previous coach had 8 house batteries, I spent 6 years checking and adding distilled water (a big fat headache) before I switched to AGM's. We got to enjoy the new batteries for 1.5 yrs. before we sold the coach.

I wish I had changed to AGM's the day I took the coach home. No more watering, no more sulfating and my lower back sure thanked me. I had to clean the slide-out trays and battery posts every few months. I had the battery trays repainted at the time the new batteries were installed. After that, the battery compartment stayed new looking.

Go with AGM's if your wallet can justify, you will not regret it.

Safe travels,
MM.

[wvabeer]

I have searched and the only advantage to buying other than wet cells are maintenance and gas. I have found them for 69 each. I could not justify 200 and almost 300 for a battery that doesn't last or warranty any longer. Thats my opinion, it's the cheapness in me. 😉

[GordonThree]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
Just go with Flooded wet from Sam's club.. Way cheaer and so long as you are mounting "This sidr up" there is not advantage to AGM's save for Profit to the sellers.

My AGM's are five years old and going strong. I have never had to check the water level or do any maintenance on them at all.
ALL flooded wet cells require the owner to regularly check the water level, or the batteries will self destruct in a matter of days. Since they out gas, you also have to keep the contacts clear of corrosion. In some RV's it is very difficult to check the water level in the back batteries. This is never a problem with AGM's.

X2, pretty good advantage in my book

[wolfe10]

While each battery technology has advantages/disadvantages one really should weigh out THEIR priorities.

Sure, wet cell batteries are cheaper.

But AGM batteries DO have some distinct advantages, including faster recharge (less internal resistance), they don't out-gas unless severely overcharged, so a lot cleaner and the the biggie for most owners is that they are MAINTENANCE FREE.

Weigh out YOUR priorities.

[rgatijnet1]

wa8yxm wrote:
Just go with Flooded wet from Sam's club.. Way cheaer and so long as you are mounting "This sidr up" there is not advantage to AGM's save for Profit to the sellers.

My AGM's are five years old and going strong. I have never had to check the water level or do any maintenance on them at all.
ALL flooded wet cells require the owner to regularly check the water level, or the batteries will self destruct in a matter of days. Since they out gas, you also have to keep the contacts clear of corrosion. In some RV's it is very difficult to check the water level in the back batteries. This is never a problem with AGM's.

[Ivylog]

OP, why 6V??? I've gotten good service out of my 12V AGMs.
AGMs... my best mod until going residential. At three years from new I spent a day lowering my house battery rack so I would have room for a second rack, scrapping all the rust and repainting with acid resistance paint. Decided to go AGM and should have sealed the compartment as every couple years I take a hose and knock the dust off the top of the batteries. That was 10 years ago and I cannot tell a big difference in battery capacity although going totally LED has helped. I recently added four 120AH 12V AGMs for my residential refer (some on their sides) and paid $75 each (they were blims) from an Atlanta battery wholesaler.

PS: The AGMs were off brands made in Canada.
PSS: I got 10 years out of my Interstate engine batteries.

[wa8yxm]

Just go with Flooded wet from Sam's club.. Way cheaer and so long as you are mounting "This sidr up" there is not advantage to AGM's save for Profit to the sellers.