Got new batteries

[PaulDaisy]

On my last trip the Interstate Group 24 I bought my TT with gave up the ghost. After reading some, and some more, I looked for Trojan 105 - 145, which would fit onto the battery tray in my 29V. Finding a dealer was not very simple! After some 5 phone calls, found one that offered them for $136 apiece for 105's and $211 for 145's. Wow. I am sure they are nice but are they SO nice? I went to Wal-Mart and bought two Group 29 RV-Marine, 125 Ah for $140 both. I know, I read people saying "they are not true deep cycle". But, they carry 18 month free replacement warranty, and there is a Wal-Mart just about anywhere you go. So I will take a chance...
I will post a report if they let me down.
-P

[PaulDaisy]

On my last trip the Interstate Group 24 I bought my TT with gave up the ghost. After reading some, and some more, I looked for Trojan 105 - 145, which would fit onto the battery tray in my 29V. Finding a dealer was not very simple! After some 5 phone calls, found one that offered them for $136 apiece for 105's and $211 for 145's. Wow. I am sure they are nice but are they SO nice? I went to Wal-Mart and bought two Group 29 RV-Marine, 125 Ah for $140 both. I know, I read people saying "they are not true deep cycle". But, they carry 18 month free replacement warranty, and there is a Wal-Mart just about anywhere you go. So I will take a chance...
I will post a report if they let me down.
-P

[CD]

PaulDaisy
I have had my T105s almost 10yrs. now with no problem.

[FiverBob]

Pick up a T-105 and then the RV/Marine battery. You will suddenly find why the 105 is more expensive. More lead, thicker plates allowing it to be drawn down deeper without warping the plates. Mine are 6 years old and still running strong with lots of dry camping.

[RKamperRV]

I had two standard 12 volt RV/Marine batteries on my last trailer for 10 years with no problems.

[PaulDaisy]

Well... T-105 are 62 lbs each per spec. Everstart Maxx that I bought are 59 lbs each, I just put them on the scale. T-105 are 225 Ah and Maxx are 125 each. Comparable? I would say so. Quality similar? Maybe not, I will be posting here immediately when the Maxxes fail me so that others be warned.
To put flames off, I have little doubts that T-105s are better but I can't help it but shop around and try to find reasons to spend a LOT more money on something which purpose can be served by something half the price. Odyssey batteries are better still, but am I gonna pay $500 apiece? No way.
I think, good enough is all right, needs not be best. And T-105 have a 6 month warranty while Maxx has 18 month free replacement.
I will take my chances. I can replace Maxx twice for the price of the T-105s.
-P

[Ray,IN]

Paul, the last time I checked, WalMart gp 29 batteries had 215AH.

[BryanL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I know, I read people saying "they are not true deep cycle" </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ah, the myths. Aren't the fun? ;-)

How long your batteries will last will depend upon how you treat them.

The capacity of your battery bank will be better correlated with its overall weight than with any brand or voltage of its component batteries.

Even Trojan refers to its T105 as an RV/Marine and deep cycle depending upon the use it is targeting. That "true deep cycle" myth is an artifact of days long gone by.

There are very few manufacturers of lead acid batteries and the technology is well defined and stable. Differences between brand names are minor.

Getting a battery designed for its intended use from a reputable retailer willing to stand behind a good warranty should probably stand ahead of brand or voltage or model.

[PaulDaisy]

Ray, the batteries say 875 Marine CA, 205 reserve and 125 amp hours capacity. I understand that they are 125 AH capacity on 20-hour test, which is closely equivalent to T-105 of close weight (as you add two Maxx-es, you get 2 x 125 = 250 AH since the connection is parallel; as you add two T-105 at 225 AH each, you still get 225 AH because they are connected in series). I doubt that theoretical 250 AH in Maxx is any better than 225 in T-105.
-P