Deep Cycle Battery Manufacturers

[Dutch Master]

Good day fellow RVers,
I am helping out a good friend to replace his current 12 volt deep cycle battery. I know the pros and cons of using two - 6 volts vs one 12 volt deep cycle battery. There are a few MANUFACTURES of both 6 volt and 12 volt deep cycle batteries including:
1. Deka
2. Dyno
3. Johnson Controls (Varta, Optima)
4. Trojan
5. US Battery
6. Rolls


Just to "name a few." A lot of "store brands" like AutoZone, Walmart, etc is just a rebranding of the above manufacuters.


Just considering wet cells due to cost and how long or short he will keep his Jayco. They all are good, some better than others due to price point, design, and manufacturing.



Question:

In choosing your replacement deep cycle battery, which manufacture did you choose and why (i.e. price, performance, guaranty, use)


Regards
Dutch Master

[rrsutherland]

Interesting and timely post for us as we consider replacing/upgrading our batteries in our new to us toy hauler. Presently running two Interstate GC2 Deep Cycle Extreme 225ah. I don't know how old they are. We would like to go to four but haven't explored the converter in our rig yet. We aren't ready to invest in AGM or lithium. We do have an onboard Onan 4000 but no solar. We are considering a 200ah suitcase however. Hope to tag along on this thread and gain some insight from the great folks here!

[Winemaker2]

I'm a fan of East Penn and have purchased via their dealers and more via Sams Club Duracell.
Hard to beat Sams Club pricing.
I have switched to AGM but they carry FLA as well.
You can buy " high quality" alternates but usually at significantly higher price. I dont believe the high $$$ ones will last long enough to break even vs good quality at good price.
I'm sure you will find other opinions but thats mine.

[twinboat]

Most converter chargers will charge about 400 AH of battery capacity.

Your looking for about between 10%and 15% of AH capacity, in your charger, so a typical 55 amp converter/charger will get the job done.

If you don't run your batteries down real deep, you won't gain much with a larger charger.

Adding a second inexpensive, smart, converter/charger is another way of increasing recharge amperage. Install it near the batteries for best results.

[rrsutherland]

Originally Posted by Dutch Master

Good day fellow RVers,
I am helping out a good friend to replace his current 12 volt deep cycle battery. I know the pros and cons of using two - 6 volts vs one 12 volt deep cycle battery. There are a few MANUFACTURES of both 6 volt and 12 volt deep cycle batteries including:
1. Deka
2. Dyno
3. Johnson Controls (Varta, Optima)
4. Trojan
5. US Battery
6. Rolls


Just to "name a few." A lot of "store brands" like AutoZone, Walmart, etc is just a rebranding of the above manufacuters.


Just considering wet cells due to cost and how long or short he will keep his Jayco. They all are good, some better than others due to price point, design, and manufacturing.



Question:

In choosing your replacement deep cycle battery, which manufacture did you choose and why (i.e. price, performance, guaranty, use)


Regards
Dutch Master

Well, the OP question isn't getting much traction so I'd like to re-submit. Almost everybody here uses deep cycle batteries of some configuration and quite a few of us are somewhat opinionated so we should be able to glean some opinions. Yeah? OK, FLA deep cycle RV (6 or 12v). Among this forum's participants which battery brand seems to work best for you? Curranty I'm looking at Duracell 903 sold by Batteries Plus or Crown CR430 (series of course). Really would like your help folks. Thanks all.

[Jkwilson1989]

Originally Posted by rrsutherland

Well, the OP question isn't getting much traction so I'd like to re-submit. Almost everybody here uses deep cycle batteries of some configuration and quite a few of us are somewhat opinionated so we should be able to glean some opinions. Yeah? OK, FLA deep cycle RV (6 or 12v). Among this forum's participants which battery brand seems to work best for you? Curranty I'm looking at Duracell 903 sold by Batteries Plus or Crown CR430 (series of course). Really would like your help folks. Thanks all.

The Duracell is a rebranded Deka 8L16LTP made by East Penn.

Duracell is a 1 year warranty vs. 3 on the Crown, but unless you have a local dealer warranty service on the Crown will be a pain.

[rrsutherland]

Thanks Jkwilson! I really appreciate the info. Having a hard time today trying to find a retailer for the Crown batteries. Given the tremendous Ah rating for the 903 I would like to go that route. I'll have to spend more time tomorrow looking. Pretty much used to that living in a very small town in the least populated state (not complaining).