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03-28-2019, 03:56 PM
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#1
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Veteran Member
City: Knoxville
Vessel Name: Journey
Vessel Model: 1999 Island Gypsy 32
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 28
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Advice on Golf Cart Battery Brands
I'm in the process of replacing two 8D flooded lead acid batteries with six GC2 Golf cart batteries. I want to stay with flooded lead acid. The brands I am looking at all have about the same price for 220 amp hour models. In consideration is Crown, Interstate and Duracell.
Does anyone have experience with these brands that might help me make the best choice?
Thanks in advance for any information.
Wayne Prichard
1999 Island Gypsy 32
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03-28-2019, 04:36 PM
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#2
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TF Site Team
City: Seneca Lake NY
Vessel Name: Bacchus
Vessel Model: MS 34 HT Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,826
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Wayne
Take a look at RCs article on deep cycle battys.
https://marinehowto.com/what-is-a-deep-cycle-battery/
I think he includes comments on those brands.
I I remember correctly he points out that they all make a "budget" line and a commercial golf cart quality line. So one point is to make sure you are comparing apples & apples.
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Don
2008 MS 34 HT Trawler
"Bacchus"
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03-28-2019, 04:36 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
City: Portsmouth, NH
Vessel Name: Irony
Vessel Model: Bayliner 4588
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 121
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I've got Crown but they are 235AH. They came with the boat last summer. They are four years old. They weren't used correctly. One set is off 0.15 volts @ about 12.6v at full charge.
I would check each manufacturer weight - heavier = more lead..... Higher AH rate = thinner plates in the same form factor.
I am replacing with Rolls - S6-250
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Irony
Bayliner 4588
Portsmouth, NH
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03-28-2019, 04:49 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
City: Minden, NV & California Delta
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 200
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I've had my best luck with Trojan. Tried other brands and they didn't measure up.
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03-28-2019, 04:49 PM
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#5
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TF Site Team
City: Paris,TN
Vessel Name: Slo-Poke
Vessel Model: Jorgensen custom 44
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,749
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I’m going to need to replace my house bank soon. I’m looking at Trojan T-105 . A golf cart dealer in town is a distributor for them .
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Marty
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03-28-2019, 04:59 PM
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#6
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Valued Technical Contributor
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,784
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I doubt that any brand, even the budget line, is all that bad. No one could stay in business for long while providing a bad product. The market is just too big. Crappy products will quickly be flushed out.
Premium brands like Trojan and Lifeline might have somewhat thicker plates and provide a bit longer life. As noted above, check battery weight. 10% more weight might mean 10% more life.
David
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03-28-2019, 05:18 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Beaverton, Ontario
Vessel Name: Looking Glass
Vessel Model: Carver 370 Voyager
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,240
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I live in a golf cart friendly community and most people use Trojan T-105s, Duracell ar cheaper as are many others and likely for a reason. I used US Battery mfg batteries on my last boat. They had similar specs as the Trojans and after 6 years they were still strong.
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Allan
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03-28-2019, 05:44 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
City: Lottsburg, Va
Vessel Name: Amazing Grace
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 52 Sedan
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 318
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We had the three Trojan T-105s in our GB for the house bank. I plan to put them in the Ocean Alexander when the house needs replacing.
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03-28-2019, 06:16 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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Very happy with my Trojan T-105s
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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03-28-2019, 06:27 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Bellingham WA
Vessel Name: Hatt Trick
Vessel Model: 45' Hatteras Convertible
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,973
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I've always used Interstate GC's, never a problem. I have 8 of them for the house bank. I replace them at 5-6 years but they'd go longer I'm sure.
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Ken on Hatt Trick
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03-28-2019, 07:40 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Z
Vessel Model: tbd
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,027
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sam's club
re-branded Deka
$80 a pop
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03-28-2019, 08:01 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Edgewater, MD
Vessel Name: Catalina Jack
Vessel Model: Defever 44
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,585
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mystery
sam's club
re-branded Deka
$80 a pop
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I've always wondered about "rebranded" products, that is, are they of exactly the same manufacture. I do know that some name brands sold by Home Depot are more cheaply made. For example, what looks like an identical snow blower actually has thinner sheet metal housings. It's the same with some lawn cutting equipment. For that reason, I would never buy that sort of product from Home Depot regardless the name plate. As for the Sam's Club batteries, the "tell" for me would be comparative overall weight any difference likely being attributable to plate weight.
I checked the specs. The Sam's Club battery (Duracell) is rated at 208 amp hours, the Deka is 230 amp hours which suggests to me that the two battery brands are not constructed identically. I am not surprised. Also, today's price at Sam's is $90.
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03-28-2019, 08:15 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Z
Vessel Model: tbd
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,027
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catalinajack
I've always wondered about "rebranded" products, that is, are they of exactly the same manufacture. I do know that some name brands sold by Home Depot are more cheaply made. For example, what looks like an identical snow blower actually has thinner sheet metal housings. It's the same with some lawn cutting equipment. For that reason, I would never buy that sort of product from Home Depot regardless the name plate. As for the Sam's Club batteries, the "tell" for me would be comparative overall weight any difference likely being attributable to plate weight.
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For this specific model, its pretty much common knowledge that it is identical.
Yes, you are right, some times products can be inferior but not always.
There are certain items that I buy at west marine sitting next to a name brand product but happens to be branded west marine and its the same exact thing at 50% of the cost (especially with a Pro discount).
Some sellers / manufacturers are happy to confirm whether a product is identical and just re-badged. Some you have to do your own research.
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03-28-2019, 08:36 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Quebec
Vessel Name: Bleuvet
Vessel Model: Custom Built
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,375
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Last year I bought 4 gc2 from costco. Looking at the model I found that they are made by a us company (sorry don't remember the name). Considering the discount price at costco, even if they last half the life of a trojan ( what I would doubt, as even if I expect difference I don't expect it to be so much) it would be a good deal. Battery life depends on usage but also on maintenance.
Anyway I will see and experience will tell.
L
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03-28-2019, 08:37 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Cary, NC
Vessel Name: Skinny Dippin'
Vessel Model: Navigator 4200 Classic
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,841
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Take a look at NAPA branded. Without oversimplifying it, the heavier the battery, the better. Look for East Penn manufactured ones... the name on the label doesn’t really matter too much. That said, don’t set one foot out of West Marine with any of their batteries in your hand.
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2000 Navigator 4200 Classic
(NOT a trawler)
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03-28-2019, 08:42 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Pender Harbour, BC
Vessel Name: Gwaii Haanas
Vessel Model: Custom Aluminum 52
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,791
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Costco for sure, they just don’t always have them when you need them.
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Don't believe everything that you think.
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03-28-2019, 09:01 PM
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#17
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TF Site Team
City: Seneca Lake NY
Vessel Name: Bacchus
Vessel Model: MS 34 HT Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,826
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom.B
Take a look at NAPA branded. Without oversimplifying it, the heavier the battery, the better. Look for East Penn manufactured ones... the name on the label doesn’t really matter too much. That said, don’t set one foot out of West Marine with any of their batteries in your hand.
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TomB
I agree re East Penn but do believe wt is an real over simplification...
Ex: Nothing much heavier than 8D but most resources advise they are not a good choice
__________________
Don
2008 MS 34 HT Trawler
"Bacchus"
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03-28-2019, 09:08 PM
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#18
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Guru
City: Solomons Island Md
Vessel Name: Fryedaze
Vessel Model: MC 42 (Overseas Co) Monk 42
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,721
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We have 8 Crown 6volt. They are 4+ years old. We anchor frequently and use our boat 12 months a year. I also have a 4D Crown for engine start. Its 5 years old. I take SGs about 4 times a year and have seen no decrease in performance. For some reason the Crown resting voltage is higher than other batts. I will buy them again.
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03-28-2019, 09:15 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,329
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacchus
TomB
I agree re East Penn but do believe wt is an real over simplification...
Ex: Nothing much heavier than 8D but most resources advise they are not a good choice
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Even 8Ds vary in weight.
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BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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03-29-2019, 06:12 AM
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#20
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Guru
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,036
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I have Interstate, and they have lasted good so far.
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Jay Leonard
Ex boats: 1983 40 Albin trunk cabin, 1978 Mainship 34 Model 1
New Port Richey, Fl
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