Defective Trojan Battery and lack of warranty

[Harry B]

I have thee Trojan SCS225 12 volt deep cycle batteries installed on in my 2005 Itasca Horizon for house battery use. These batteries were always well maintained as far as water level, terminals kept clean, charging and discharging rates and always watched the float volatge.

These batteries were installed in May 2006 , after my factory installed batteries went bad due to abuse by the while the coach was in their posession. I noticed that one of the batteries was developing problems with 3 of its six cells. One cell will only charge to 30% while the other 2 will charge to 50%. The remaining 3 cells charged to 100%. I removed that defective battery so that the higher charging voltage would not damage the other two.

I contacted Trojan Batteries today and asked how I would go about getting a replacement battery under warranty. These batteries are 1 ½ years old and cost over $200 each. I was told that there was no remaining warranty on these batteries after I told them the manufacturing date code which indicated they were made in 2006.

They suggested I would have to buy a new SCS225 12 volt deep cycle battery. Given my current experience I don't think I will be buying Trojan batteries anymore. I would not suggest that anyone else should consider buying Trojan batteries given the support I just received.
I was always under the impression that Trojan made a good products and stood behind their products. Apparently not so. Even on their premium 12volt deep cycle batteries.

Just thought I would relay my experience and give everyone a heads up.

[BillArf]

Harry.................... Fact is the warranty period on that particular Trojan is 1 year. You have been using the batteries for almost one year and 7 months now. Perhaps if you were a month past the warranty period expiration Trojan would have let you have a warranty replacement. I myself feel Trojan was in line telling you that the battery was out of warranty. For the record, I have known others within warranty or a bit over warranty that had problematic (probably abused)Trojan batteries replaced or given $ adjustments on a bad battery(s). Trojan has a good tract record as documented often on various internet forums, etc.. I will buy Trojan in the future... I think you are expecting to much from Trojan.

[Harry B]

[quote]I think you are expecting to much from Trojan.[/quote

Bill,
My mistake was to not inquire about the warranty period on the battery when they were new. The purchase price of batteries usually includes an amount to cover warranty charges. Being they cost over $200 each, I assumed there would be an extended warranty period on a prorated basis on the battery to the tune of 3 to 4 years as John mentioned. I was fully prepared to have to pay a portion of the new price to replace the battery . This is the first battery I have seen or hear of that only has a one year warranty.

I did not argue the warranty issue with Trojan. I now understand that by offering a one year warranty on this particular battery at a purchase price of more than $200, means Trojan has no confidence in the performance of this particular battery. My mistake for not being more thorough. Won't happened again and perhaps anyone else reading this post is now better informed about the Trojan SCS225 battery.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Heck, in another thread we learn that Interstate golf cart batteries are warranted for only 6 months, so that makes Trojan look pretty good.

However, Concorde/Lifeline, an aircraft battery manufacturer and one of the best batteries around offers a 12 month replacement warranty and 4 additional years pro rated when used in RV and marine applications. Cost is 10-15% higher than a similar Trojan, though.

Optima Blue and Yellow deep cycles have a fairly generous 18/18 month warranty on the label but lists the exceptions below in a pair of footnotes. And Optimas cost quite a bit more than Trojans as well.

3. Deep cycle models, when used in series string applications with battery management system or CV/CC charge method have 12 month warranty.

4: Deep cycle models, when used in series string applications without battery management system or CV/CC charge method have 1 month warranty.

Optima warranty

[Jestme13]

Trojans are the best available RV deep cycle consumer batteries, and have been time tested by thousands. IMHO