Where to buy deep cycle batteries?

[CaptainGeezer]

I live in an area with a population of around 350K and you would think I could buy a deep cycle battery locally. However, I cannot seem to find anyplace that carries them. Oh, I can find Marine batteries up the yinny, but NO true deep cycles. I've tried the battery stores, big box stores, farm stores, auto part stores, sporting goods stores and even checked with a local golf course to see if they could give me some direction. I need a single 12v and can't fit a pair of 6v. So where should I look?

[Mr_D]

True 12 V deep cycle batteries will be big and heavy, double the size/weight of GC-2 golf cart batteries. Our batteries weigh about 130#'s each. Most people use 2 6V golf cart wet cell batteries but you say you don't have room for that.
You may be forced to us a 12V marine battery with the limited room you have.

[chboone]

True deep cycle 12V batteries are hard to find as you found out. You might try an Internet search for a solar battery supplier in your area.

[paz]

As other replies indicate, 12V true deep cycle batteries are harder to find than 6V. If you have room for an even number of batteries (2, 4, or 6), you could convert to 6V. You would need a few new cables to wire pairs of 6V batteries in series. Each pair of 6V batteries is then treated as one 12V battery, which get wired in parallel.

6V batteries are abundant, especially if you live in an area where golf is popular because they are widely used in golf carts. Sam's Club and Costco have (or can order if you're not in a golfing area) 6V batteries in several sizes.

[pasdad1]

I bought mine through the Internet. I bought a lifeline AGM 12 volt "top of the line" battery.

Can't find the name of the company I bought from just yet, but this was my other company choice...went with company "A" because the price was a little cheaper, but the prices change from time to time.

Here is the email quote I received from them. Expect shipping to be a little more to your location, but not too much more.



1 Lifeline GPL-31T in stock and ready to ship.
$366.03 total which includes Florida Sales Tax and delivery costs to your address if paid via Paypal.
An additional discount is offered if prepaid via check.
$351.39 total which includes Florida Sales Tax and delivery costs to your address.

Another sealed AGM technology battery that will interest you for this application will be the Fullriver.You can review the Fullriver Battery line at http://www.dcbattery.com/fullriver.html

1 Fullriver DC115-12 In stock and ready to ship.
$305.28 total which includes Floridia Sales Tax and delivery costs to your address if paid via Paypal.
An additional discount is offered if prepaid via check.
$293.07 total which includes Floridia Sales Tax and delivery costs to your address.

Payment: Payments may be accomplished via check, money order, cashiers check, wire transfer or COD (carrier cod charges may apply).

Small order Credit card purchases can be made through PayPal at:
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr.../index-outside

If you are paying via PAY PAL use the email remittance address: sales@dcbattery.com
Your application for transfer must be VERIFIED by PayPal and you must use your card’s shipping address of record.

If you are paying by check, make payable to:
DC Battery Specialists
and mail to:
7415 NE 1st Place
Miami, FL 33138

Regards,

[mojoracing]

Can someone explain the difference between "a true deep cycle" and say a marine deep cycle battery from walmart or interstate?

[marcham]

A marine battery is a hybrid design between a deep cycle and a starting battery. It can be used for either purpose, has a CCA rating and is a compromise design. They don't hold up as well to deep discharges as a deep cycle.

Any battery supply store should be able to order a deep cycle if they don't stock them. Shipping a flooded battery would be expensive, an AGM is easier to ship, so best to shop local if you want a flooded battery. You should be able to find a local Trojan dealer.

[elkski]

Send an email to Crown and the salesman may be able to schedule the truck that drives on its route to deliver it. That is what he offered me even for 1 battery. I was driving by a store an hour away on my trip so I went there but he said use his name and gave me a price. THe gal said 190$ and I said I had a price like 140 from so and so and she gave it to me. I am not totally sure it is a crown as it is branded National.. but the installer said all their batteries are crown. and I am actually not sure it just a deep cycle.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Most any AGM type battery will do a good job as a deep cycle and they are available in most auto parts stores, battery shops, etc. Sam's Clubs & Costco also carry deep cycles in many areas (may be a special order item, but they should arrive quickly).

Marinas are another source for deep cycles if the area has large lakes or ocean nearby. Big boats are often equipped with quality deep cycle batteries; smaller fishing and water sports boats probably not.

For a non-AGM 12v deep cycle, you may have better luck shopping by brand name. Trojan is the primary manufacturer in the USA, so Google for a sales outlet in your area. Their "find a dealer" page may help: Find a Dealer | Trojan Battery Company

A golf cart dealer is often a Trojan battery dealer as well, so they could get them for you even though they mostly handle 6v GC2 size rather than 12v.

This company says they can ship them most places: USA Battery Sales

[Gary RVRoamer]

Can someone explain the difference between "a true deep cycle" and say a marine deep cycle battery from walmart or interstate?

It has to do with the internal design of the battery, whether built to provide high amps for short periods (a starting battery) or low-moderate amps for lengthy periods. Also how well it withstands repeated "deep" discharge and re-charge. The latter is why it is called a "deep cycle".

This FAQ article gives a brief description of the differences: Deep Cycle Battery FAQ

As has already been said, the so-called "marine" deep cycle hybrid type is much more a starting battery than a deep cycle. It utilizes the less expensive starting battery design as its base design and modifies it somewhat for better deep cycle performance. "Better", however, does not mean "good". You can expect less than half the useful life of a true deep cycle design. Sometimes only 1/3.

[jackfish]

Might have to travel a bit to get to a Continental Batteries, Staab Battery Co., or Worldwide Battery.

[Rockwood27]

To the OP, why do you think you need a true deep cycle battery? Does your load demand require it? You're not going to get much draw time out of a single battery. If you only have room for one battery, I would opt for a Group 27 or 31 marine type if it will fit. Otherwise, you'll have to modify your battery compartment to make room for more batteries.

[bobmac]

I got deep cycle AGMs from Sam's Club two years ago and they continue to perform well. They are 105 ah 12v Group 31 labled "Duracell" and are made by East Penn who are a long established battery manufacturer. They were $180 and I would purchase them again.

[CaptainGeezer]

Rockwood27, I'm new to RVing and therefore I'm reading and learning as much as I can, as fast as I can. The used RV we bought has a dead (Marine/RV) 12v house battery and I have read that you should always use true deep cycles and avoid the hybrids. After getting the responses I've been getting, I've decided to just replace the battery with the same battery (brand/style). Readily available, inexpensive and I know it will fit. We're not planning on much dry camping so it will probably be fine.