What batteries to buy?

Hi All:

I need to replace my 2- 6v batteries. I don't really have the cash for AGM or gel types. I live in the desert and we have to replace batteries often.

So what's the current wisdom on what are good 9v batteries? How are Sam's Club batteries holding up?

Thanks -

[scrubjaysnest]

Could do with more info on how you use the batteries. AGM and Gels require non-standard chargers besides the high price. With proper charging and proper maintenance any of the 6 volt golf car batteries are fine. This has been covered in detail in several threads on the forums. It will take time to go through them.

Interstate!

Koz

How often do you charge with desulfate and equalize enabled?

My pair of Interstate 12v Marine/RV batteries were doing poorly after 3 years. I bought my external charger for $93 and have gotten an additional 3 years out of them so far.

Based on your description I am assuming you mostly boondock in the desert and rarely have hookups. If you always have hookups then your needs are very different.

[Lesherp]

When I was buying batteries last year I ended up getting golf cart batteries from Costco. They had the same specs as Trojan's and were considerably less money. So far I nave no complaints.

Sorry to take so long to answer - been on travel.

We only dry camp once a year and use a power jack. But the last time I dry camped the batteries barely made it a day with running a generator a couple of hours a day and very little usage. So I think they need to be replaced.

I think our main issue is not maintaining them properly. I need to learn how often to plug in the the TM so I don't boil off the water and how often to check the water. Then again these came with our TM in April 2007, have not been properly maintained (I'm sure) and just now having trouble holding a charge. So perhaps we got our money's worth!

[scrubjaysnest]

Your on board convertor will never fully charge your 6 volt batteries The Trojan web site says T105's require 7.4 volts or 14.8 volts when in series. Most convertors only go to 14.4 volts. A very few are adjustable. Like the convertor the generator will never fully charge your 6 volt batteries. Pitbull, Koz, suggested Interstate. They require 15.0 volts for full charge. As Popbeavers said a de-sulphate cycle may help. A good battery charger is a must in any case. You most likely won't be able to get the charger at a big box store but have to go to a dealer that specializes in batteries. They may also be able to test your batteries for you.

The kind of charger you need has three charging stages plus equalize, they are
bulk....high amperage at around13.6 volts
absorption...14.8 to 15.5 volts at maybe 5 to 10 amps which drops as the battery reaches full charge.
maintain or trickle or several other names....13.2 volts at 1 to 2 amps max.

equalize.....over 15 volts for about 1 to 2 hours or less. This causes the battery to bubble, boil, to shake loose the sulfur. Another type uses a high frequency pulse to knock the sulfur of the plates.

I would suggest for reading sources: The 12 volt side of life, marxrv.com

and batteryfaq.org

[B_and_D]

We bought our Trojan T-105's in 2004, and they still are working fine. It's hard to believe. I thought they were dying a few years ago, but I think it was because I was trying to check them when it was really cold. We dry camped last summer and they were fine.

We also have a Costco group 27 battery that we bought 4 or 5 years ago (?) in Palm Springs and that thing just holds a charge forever. We use it for running the microwave and TV/DVD sometimes when we're dry camping. I charge it up with a Schumacher battery charger, it has various charge levels, works great. We keep it under the dinette seats and drag it out when we need it.

Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest

equalize.....over 15 volts for about 1 to 2 hours or less. This causes the battery to bubble, boil, to shake loose the sulfur. Another type uses a high frequency pulse to knock the sulfur of the plates.

I have both desulfate and equalize modes.

Desulfate uses varying frequencies of DC poser to knock off the sulfate on the lead. This increases the surface area of the lead. Voltages are within normal ranges.

Equalize uses a higher voltage to stir the pot. Because of the higher voltages the battery should be disconnected. The sulfate that came off of the lead during desulfate mostly fell to the bottom. Equalize will help break this down and mix it throughout the electrolyte.

After 3 years I was going to replace the pair of 12 volt Interstate group 24 Marine/RV batteries.

So far I have 6 years out of the batteries and they are still doing well.

Investing $93 for the portable charger was a great investment.

[scrubjaysnest]

Wayne,
your correct, I miss spoke. Equalize is an attempt to get all cells at the same state of charge.