Spec on Costco Batteries?

[BurbMan]

Just picked up a pair of the Costco #245725 6v batteries, $84.49 here in Louisville. The batteries themselves have nothing but the cheesy "golf cart" label on them, no specs at all. The shelf tag said 208 aH, but a lot of online sources say the battery is rated at 220 aH. Anybody know what the real rating is?

I was looking hard at the Interstate GC2-XHD at 232 aH, but couldn't justify them at $153 each.

Guy at Costco said their batteries are also made by Johnson Controls, same mfr for the Interstate brand.

[KendallP]

BurbMan wrote:
Wouldn't those numbers be different if the aH rating was different?

Haven't we come to the conclusion that Costco's typing is not to be trusted?

I'm pretty sure you have 208s. It's highly likely that the Interstates I quoted above are made by the same company. The evidence suggests you have 63# 208s.

Now...

For the same volume measurements of battery, if one is heavier, it probably has longer plates, i.e. less room at the bottom for sludge to build before shorting.

In the following link you will note that Trojan's T-125 is rated for 100 fewer cycles than the venerable legend, the T-105.

http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.com/6-volt-golf-cart-battery.html

Also note this old thread.

Now if you really need the capacity, then shorter life might be inconsequential to you. AND... funny thing is... Yes... the T-105 may be able to tolerate more deep cycles. But... if you need that capacity... then you might actually be cycling the T-105s deeper than you would the T-125s. So much for the solace I was trying to toss your way.

Now on the T-105s... if they really have 225 Ah... at only 62#... I can't help but wonder if their plates aren't thinner than their Johnson Controls cousins.

So there! You got an extra pound of lead for a lot less money.

Enjoy

[time2roll]

Trojan 225 = 115 & 447

208 is 92% or 105 & 411

And further judging on price comparing to Sam's I don't see how these Costcos could be anything but 208s. 220+ is going to be $110+.

[BurbMan]

I was hoping the sign was a typo and they are really 220....probably they have different regional suppliers for the same item.

But what about:
MIN@75 apms: 100
MIN@25 amps: 425

Wouldn't those numbers be different if the aH rating was different?

[KendallP]

Agreed. I think 63 pounds makes them 208 Ah batteries...

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/content/product_info/golf_f.asp

[time2roll]

Very possible the sign has an error. With no data on the battery the old 220 was probably just printed same. These are not battery people. I would count on the Costco GC2 to be 208 Ah.

Was just in Sam's Club yesterday and they had both. About $89 & $113 for the 208 vs 232 Energizer. (or was it 220?)

[BurbMan]

Roy,

Here was the sign at my Costco:



Here are Roy's signs:





Same item #, all the other specs are the same except for the aH rating changed from 220 to 208...is it possible to have a lower amp hour rating and all the other specs stay the same???

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Take the batteries to a digital bathroom scale. How much do they not weigh?

[KendallP]

Dollar per Amp hour with those things is tough to beat. If I had the height in my box to fit 'em, I'd definitely go the Costo/Sam's route.

Also, I would bet that the plates get thinner when you get into that 232 range. Or... taller... which would mean less room at the bottom for sludge to build up before becoming a problem.

If so, you would be sacrificing longevity for a little capacity. However, for some, this may still be worth it.

That said... if you have the room... for roughly the same outlay... much better to go 4 Costco GC2s than 2 of the 232 Ah units.

EDIT:

OK. Just saw Roy's photos. Looks like you may have 220s... if your scale is accurate.

[RoyB]

Spec sheets for the golf cart batteries are hard to find for sure. I would go by the weight if you can find that on the label. Then use the TROJAN PRODUCT SPEC GUIDE SHEET for comparison.

TROJAN BATTERIES

Here's a couple of sales photos






Roy Ken

[doughere]

I think you're overthinking the possible difference in capacity. The possible 10% isn't enough to make a significant difference. My no-name GC's (didn't even have that fancy label that said "golf cart") are now 7 years old and doing just fine.

You've installed a good converter, and appear to have upped the wiring to do the job right. Keep em watered, keep em charged, don't discharge deep too often, recharge and equalize regularly and all will be well.

Regards,
Doug

[Shadow_Catcher]

http://www.batteryfaq.org/ Generally tells you who makes what and is updated with regularity.

[bushman512003]

I was told Deka made the batterys I bought but they are 12volt and I also have a pair in the 6.7 Dodge with a Dura Cell sticker on them so to keep You thinking what are they or made by who??? never had a moment of trouble and dry camp a lot think they are good a battery as any other and all 4 from Sam's Club... But I check the water now and then add some but not a lot Bushman

[BurbMan]

I have the U-2200's now and they have done OK over the years despite being boiled have dry on a regular basis by the old WFCO converter. Water usage is much less and float charging much better with the new PD4660.

So Costco lists the weight at 63 lbs, which is in between the Interstate GC2-RD at 62 lbs and 208 aH and the GC2-HD at 64 lbs and 216 aH. The GC2-XHD is listed at 65 lbs and 232 aH.

I'm hoping that 208 vs 232 aH won't turn out to be an issue, but I am hoping that faster charging with the PD4660 and the fatter wires to the batteries will make up for that.

I would suspect that at this price point, they are the RDs and not the HDs but one can always wish....

These generally got good reviews so I figured for the money I would give them a try.

[BFL13]

BurbMan wrote:
Just picked up a pair of the Costco #245725 6v batteries, $84.49 here in Louisville. The batteries themselves have nothing but the cheesy "golf cart" label on them, no specs at all. The shelf tag said 208 aH, but a lot of online sources say the battery is rated at 220 aH. Anybody know what the real rating is?

I was looking hard at the Interstate GC2-XHD at 232 aH, but couldn't justify them at $153 each.

Guy at Costco said their batteries are also made by Johnson Controls, same mfr for the Interstate brand.

Some previous threads on this have shown that those are indeed 208, which is one of the standard "sizes" Interstate used when they had US Battery 6s called U-xxxx. The U-2200 is 232, the U-2000 is 216, and the U-1800 is 208 IIRC. As these have different weights, you should be able to confirm which "size" you have by comparing it's weight with those US Battery sizes in that company's table on their site.

The GC2-XHD (made in Mexico ISTR) replaced the U-2200 for Interstate a couple years ago but still retains the 232AH spec.

The 220 size ISTR appears in some other stores in other parts of the USA where they have a different source of batteries by region. I forget who makes those 220s