Community Forums

bamaboy473 · 08-05-2015, 06:22 AM

Another thread got me to wondering about those large 6V batteries; some with brand names that mean nothing to me. So is there a way for a common man to compare them?

Would the one that weighs the most be the best (amount of lead in it)?

**pasdad1** · 08-05-2015, 07:45 AM

Google is the tool I use to research which is best 😃

brobox · 08-05-2015, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

Would the one that weighs the most be the best (amount of lead in it)?

Yep. the more lead the more amp hours they can hold. There are only a couple of battery manufacture in the USA with lots of different labels stuck on them. Trojan makes about the heaviest batteries on the market, but if you find a heavier one, buy it.

J Birder · 08-05-2015, 08:12 AM

Although, there are many brand names around, there are really not that many manufactures. If you go with Trojan, U.S. Battery, or interstate you can accept the amp-hour rating as a good way to compare them.

Joel

mgscott4 · 08-06-2015, 03:30 AM

They are all good. If you are trying to compare batteries, you have to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.

Use the Amp Hour rating to compare. In my opinion, what I have seen is that 6v - GC2 batteries have ratings from around 210 AH to 240 AH.

Personally, it is about cost and ease of warranty replacement, That is why Sam's club or Costco sells GC2's for around $85 each and will warranty them anywhere in the US.

My 4 year old $78 GC2 batteries from Sam's club are still working well. I just spent a week Boodocking in Oshkosh for a week and drained them to 60-80% SOC (State of Charge) daily with no problems. I also have 4 OZ of mineral oil in each cell and have no corrosion issues. I do have to wipe an oily film every 2 to 3 months, but no corrosion. My 4 GC2 batteries use about 1.5 - 2 quarts of distilled water every 2 to 3 months, and have since they were new, but I full-time in my RV.

Old school battery filler that works well.
http://www.amazon.com/Plews-75-030-C...battery+filler

tmw188 · 08-06-2015, 04:31 AM

I like to use the squeeze bulb type it allows me to see into the filler opening while adding the water. Also allows me to suck it out if I over fill slightly. Any auto parts have them.

Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

bamaboy473 · 08-06-2015, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgscott4

T. I also have 4 OZ of mineral oil in each cell and have no corrosion issues. I do have to wipe an oily film every 2 to 3 months, but no corrosion.

Can you explain that for me? Mineral oil, like what you get at the drug store?

**pasdad1** · 08-06-2015, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

Can you explain that for me? Mineral oil, like what you get at the drug store?

Yes.

Here are more links where this technique has been discussed.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/mineral-oil-177333.html

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/my-ba...oil-65596.html

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/miner...ry-112373.html

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/miner...ear-86986.html

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/miner...ow-220607.html

Gary RVRoamer · 08-07-2015, 09:12 AM

Most all 6v golf cart (GC2) batteries are made in the same couple of US factories, regardless of the label. They are all good quality. The ones with more lead (weigh more) should be rated for more amp-hours, if that's what you need, but more AH doesn't mean better quality. It's like a bigger gas tank - more but not better (unless you run out of fuel all the time).

AGM batteries have excellent long term reliability and near-zero maintenance, but they typically have a slightly lower amp-hour capacity than flooded cell batteries of the same size. That's due to the internal design differences of AGM vs flooded cells. AGM is "better" if low maintenance is your priority, but the flooded cell type may be better if maximum AH capacity is your goal.

Confused now?

SilverBob · 08-07-2015, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Most all 6v golf cart (GC2) batteries are made in the same couple of US factories, regardless of the label. ....

Maybe not anymore. I bought 2 Interstate golf cart batteries in January of this year, and they're marked right on top, "Made in Mexico". They seem to work just fine, so I have no problem with that, but time will tell.

I bought them at our local Costco store. I tried to look up the model number from my batteries on Interstate's web site, but was unable to find it. Maybe these are a proprietary battery made just for Costco? I don't know.

Oldone1 · 08-08-2015, 05:33 PM

How are we telling when battries are down to 60% charge ?

mgscott4 · 08-08-2015, 06:03 PM

I can tell 60% SOC because of my battery monitor. Every RV should have one of these, 3 idiot lights don't count. Mine is the older 2025 model but the 2030 has a few more features. With this monitor I can see exactly how much power is coming in or going out of my batteries.

TriMetric Model Descriptions, Present and Past | Bogart Engineering

Oldone1 · 08-09-2015, 03:11 PM

I've seen the 2030-Rv model as low as $150.00 but says I need a separate 100-500 amp shunt. How much do they run ?

LVJ58 · 08-09-2015, 03:18 PM

Many different brands out there, however in our 20 years RV'ing we've had excellent service from Trojan's & Interstates.

Good luck with yuour choice...