What are the best batteries and where to buy them?

[mtbg308]

I'm trying to bring back to life an old 40ft class A with a Cummings diesel motor that's been sitting for 5+ years. Need batteries all around. What are the best batteries for for engine start, and for deep cycle, and where do folks usually get them if they're looking to save a few bucks?

Hope I posted in the right place. Thanks!

[allen8106]

For house batteries I recommend Crown.

[pianotuna]

Some situations make 12 volt preferably to 6 volt. Cell failure is NOT one of them--and in fact favors six volt jars.

2oldman wrote:
Somebody always has to bring up the 'battery going bad' argument with 6v. The chances of an otherwise healthy and not old battery going bad are remote. Basing a battery decision on that extremely unlikely event is not a good decision.

[RJsfishin]

Quote:
(Indeed, a pair of 6V batteries is just a single 12V battery that happens to be in two sections that are less inconvenient to manipulate than a single equivalent battery would be.)
--------------------------------------
Would you please explain that statement ?
A 6v weighs about 65 lbs
An equivalent 12v weighs 130 lbs.
Please explain how that 130 lb battery is more convenient to manipulate.

[dave17352]

Chris Bryant wrote:
Golf car dealerships will often have the best prices on the standard Trojan T105.

I found this to be true in Lincoln, Ne. Very good prices on the
Trojans.

[Chris_Bryant]

Golf car dealerships will often have the best prices on the standard Trojan T105.

[2oldman]

Somebody always has to bring up the 'battery going bad' argument with 6v. The chances of an otherwise healthy and not old battery going bad are remote. Basing a battery decision on that extremely unlikely event is not a good decision.

[DrewE]

Dusty R wrote:
I like Deka also.
I understand that they make batteries for NAPA.
Two six volt in series might be better, but if you are in the middle of nowhere and one six goes bad, you are up the creek. But if you have two 12 volts in parallel and one goes bad, just disconnect it. You will only have 1/2 battery power, but you are not dead in the water.

Dusty

If one battery in parallel goes out, it's not unheard of for it to damage the other one too. Golf cart batteries are quite robust and rarely die suddenly; they have thicker plates than dual-purpose 12V batteries that are commonly used for RVs.

But yes, if one dies, you are in trouble, just as you would be if you had a single 12V battery that went bad. (Indeed, a pair of 6V batteries is just a single 12V battery that happens to be in two sections that are less inconvenient to manipulate than a single equivalent battery would be.)

I prefer the golf cart batteries myself. Naturally, others are welcome to have different opinions and preferences.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If price is no object then move to Carbon Foam batteries for the house. They can be discharged to 80% and do not require charging to 100% every cycle.

[Dusty_R]

I like Deka also.
I understand that they make batteries for NAPA.
Two six volt in series might be better, but if you are in the middle of nowhere and one six goes bad, you are up the creek. But if you have two 12 volts in parallel and one goes bad, just disconnect it. You will only have 1/2 battery power, but you are not dead in the water.

Dusty

[wa8yxm]

Sam's is often cheaper than Costco and often has Golf Car batteries in stock.

I have DEKA in my RV.. By the time I paid for a Sam's membership,, They were about the same price... So far I'm pleased.

OH, Deka are made in the USA.

[mtbg308]

Thanks all. I'm going to take the golf cart advise and check out Costco, as well as look up the recommended starting battery.

Have a fabulous and safe new year. You folks are Awesome!!!

Mike G.

[BFL13]

A "token" house battery if that is all that you need, still has to be able to start your built-in generator though. I don't know what that takes.

[MrWizard]

for starting MY Cumins
i use AutoZone gold tops, (2) of them, gold tops have a 3yr free exhange, and 4yrs more of prorate, and plenty of cranking power

for house, i have run various batteries over the years, and settled on 12 AGM telco/server batteries giving me the best life,
Golf cart 6v pairs, work very well for most users

[RJsfishin]

Bang for buck, a couple 6v golf cart from Costco.
Starting,......what ever the diesel requires, and probably from the same place....or WM