Battery question

[Mr_D]

After 9½ years I'm finally going to have to replace my four Interstate U-2200's.

Can find Trojan T-105's for $110 plus tax.
Interstate U-2200's are running $140 plus tax.
Can get the Costco ones for less than $90 with no tax.

Have no experience with the T-105's or Costco batteries.

Going on price alone the Costco batteries are cheaper, but probably won't last as long.

According to Interstate their new U-2200 replacements have a longer life and slightly more capacity than the 105's

Trojan also has a slightly cheaper T-605 that would cost about $25 less per battery than the 105's. It also weighs less and has capacity so maybe not!!

Anybody have enough experience with any of the above to know which will be the best compromise for price/life/capacity?

On edit:
Just found the GC2-XHD-UTL U-2200's for 113.95 locally, might just be the way to go!

[tylerdmoore]

Interstate and Trojan have always had a good rep. I have always bought the Trojan because I have history with them working. You may want to compare the weight of the batts you're considering. Heavier is better in Deep Cycle batteries.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerdmoore Heavier is better in Deep Cycle batteries.

Yep, I know that and that's one of the considerations. The Trojan T-605 weighs only 58#'s the Interstate U-2200 weighs 66.7#'s, so the T-605 is probably out even though cheaper.

["007"]

I do not have as many batteries as a DP but when I changed out my two 6V wet cells 3 years back I got AGM's from SAM's, price wasn't that bad and was dry camping, in dead of winter, traveling from Nappanee to FL.
They still are able to operate all controll boards, TV, furnace when overnight dry camping, which surprised me.
Maybe something to consider.
Here is a thread that may prove of interest.

[Dunner]

IMHO, I think Trojan's are over-rated. I had some in my 5er and they didn't last as long as I expected them to. I wanted them to last and took real good care of them. When I was walking out after I bought them, I asked what the warranty was. The guy at the GC shop I got them from said: "None". He will never get my money again. I had better luck with Sam's Club $78 GC batteries.

[dougburi]

Since both the Trojans and the Interstate batteries have warranties I would consider the dealer network? I think there are LOTS of Interstate dealers around, but fewer Trojan dealers?? Stuff always "breaks" when you are away from the place you purchased them. Over the years I have had both brands and saw little difference in them.

[dougburi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D Yep, I know that and that's one of the considerations. The Trojan T-605 weighs only 58#'s the Interstate U-2200 weighs 66.7#'s, so the T-605 is probably out even though cheaper.

What is the weight of the T-105s ?

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougburi What is the weight of the T-105s ?

62#'s

[TDiGuy]

Check around... I was ready to drive 20 miles each way to get the interstate batteries.
I decided to look in the yellow pages and found 3 deals in my town at little repair shops... one quoted me $100 where the factory store was $120 and 40mile round trip..
Interstate U-2200 replacement was what I got... Shop around pays...

[tylerdmoore]

I had 8 of the T105's on the boat and I abused the heck out of them daily. When I sold the boat they were 5 years old and I honestly could detect no loss of capacity, charge rate or increased heat during charging.

I now have 4 brand new T105's on the MH and am working to find room for 2 more. I'm a believer in the Trojans.

[njs42]

You had really good service out of your interstates and you must care for them well and the price spead out over ten years ----well it comes out in the wash. I had Trojans when rig was new---replaced with interstates @ five years. Happier now.

Shop around is a wise reccomendation.

[Dunner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDiGuy Check around... I was ready to drive 20 miles each way to get the interstate batteries. I decided to look in the yellow pages and found 3 deals in my town at little repair shops... one quoted me $100 where the factory store was $120 and 40mile round trip.. Interstate U-2200 replacement was what I got... Shop around pays...

And just how old were the Ma & Pa batteries?

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunner And just how old were the Ma & Pa batteries?

Usually the batteries are shipped dry and electrolyte added when you buy them. If that's the case then age wouldn't enter into it. But it is a good point to bring up.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDiGuy Check around... I was ready to drive 20 miles each way to get the interstate batteries. I decided to look in the yellow pages and found 3 deals in my town at little repair shops... one quoted me $100 where the factory store was $120 and 40mile round trip.. Interstate U-2200 replacement was what I got... Shop around pays...

The local Interstate distributor has them for 138.95, I found them locally for 113.95 so it looks like the Interstates will be it.