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Old 02-15-2013, 01:47 PM   #1
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Costco battery prices

Sharing some research....current costs and details of Costco group 27 and 6v golf cart batteries.

Still undecided.
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Old 02-15-2013, 03:31 PM   #2
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If your asking which to get -6v or 12v,get a pair of 6v batteries.My experiance is that a pair of 6v will last apprx 1 1/2 - 2 times longer than a pair of 12v.
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Old 02-15-2013, 03:35 PM   #3
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Thanks for the input...trying to justify the overall cost of a 2 batt set up with 12v's to get the Amp hours or 2 6v's. The Group 27's fit on the tounge and all that will be needed is a cheap batt box....the 6v's save weight, will performe about the same but will require a homeaid or expensive battery box. At least thats what I have found.
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Old 02-15-2013, 08:32 PM   #4
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Same prices in MN - just looked yesterday at Maple Grove store as I want to buy two new ones for my F350 truck. Problem was finding anything over 800 CCA at Costco as it has 850's in it now.
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Old 02-16-2013, 07:45 AM   #5
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Seriously folks, any battery with a CCA printed on it is a bad choice for a house battery. The plates are too thin to last very long and they break easily.

CCA batteries are designed with thin plates with a waffle molding to have a large surface area to "give up" a LOT of electrons quickly to START YOUR CAR. Thus Cold Cranking Amps. They recharge and discharge fast because the electrons just sit on the surface. The HIGHER the CCA, the WORSE the choice is.

HOUSE (deep discharge batteries) have THICK solid FLAT plates designed to hold LOTS of elecrons deep inside. They give up electrons SLOWLY over a LONG period of time, The electrons are soaked deep inside the lead. Slow to charge and recharge they are just what you want to power your rig. They are rated in Amp Hours or Reserve Minutes (NOT CCA). The larger the RC or AH the better.

Don't waste your money.
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Old 02-16-2013, 09:20 AM   #6
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Absolutely right Herk. The two batteries I need are for starting my F350 Diesel thus the need for A BUNCH of CCA. Magically at Costco the biggest one was same price as deep cycle, about $80.

House battery that came with my Columbus is a combo meal deep cycle and engine starting. This is a compromise of each technology you describe above and compromises performance for a 5th wheel. What the heck engine are you going to start on a 5th wheel with no generator? As Herk said, buy a house battery that is deep cycle only if you have no engines to start on your RV.

You know all those labels that are on batteries, the company I work for makes the machines that put the labels on. Everything from small AAA batteries in a remote to large diesel semi truck batteries. There is only a few manufactures of rectangular lead acid batteries. Lead acid manufacturing plants are serious toxic/hazardous sites will all kinds of doo-dads in place to eliminate nasty stuff into the environment. Back years ago when we made the car/truck/semi battery labelers, most of this stuff was owned by Johnson Controls and they are still the leading manufacturer.

There are tons of brands of batteries however. All this is is taking the same friggin battery and putting a different label on it for each retailer, distribution chain, etc. Here is more info than you want to know. Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturers and Brand Names List 2013

You get what you pay for when it comes to deep cycle lead acid batteries. Myself, I go by how heavy it is - simply lift them side by side. Heavy = more lead = more run time between charges. You will be suprised the weight difference in the same group sizes. They look like the same size and power but the amount of lead will greatly differ. More lead = more deep cycle run time and generally the money you will pay.

Now if you are plugged into 120 AC power most of the time you use your RV you don't need a big expensive deepcycle battery. A smaller/lighter group 24 size would work just fine. The 120 power will be recharging your battery. RV camping when not plugged in, well now you want the big heavy group 27 size battery.

Go talk to someone that does walleye or bass fishing with the large Minkota, Motor Guide, Pinpoint, etc. trolling motors. Ask them wich battery runs the longest on the water and which one lasts year after year. Bass and Walleye boats take waaaaay more vibration and hard running abuse than your RV ever will. THAT'S the deep cycle battery you want in your RV if you are camping with no 120 volt power.

Again, pay attention to what type of battery you are buying for your RV. Herk is a living library of correct info, easier to use, and faster than one of those fancy new Ipads. Costs less too!
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Old 02-19-2013, 10:47 AM   #7
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I just bought two Energizer group E31C batteries from Sams Club. These critters were "heavy". Not as heavy as a bulldozer battery but much heavier than a normal battery. Does that mean it has a lot of lead in it? Hopefully meaning a longer life? The batteries only had threaded bolts on the top (no car type post) but I believe it did have CCA listed on the side.
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Old 02-19-2013, 01:02 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apollumi View Post
I just bought two Energizer group E31C batteries from Sams Club. These critters were "heavy". Not as heavy as a bulldozer battery but much heavier than a normal battery. Does that mean it has a lot of lead in it? Hopefully meaning a longer life? The batteries only had threaded bolts on the top (no car type post) but I believe it did have CCA listed on the side.
I think you made an error. These are Truck Starting batteries.
Weight is not the determiner when choosing a house battery.

With a CCA rating of 950 CCA and an RC of 105 minutes

How to Convert Reserve Capacity to Amp Hours | eHow.com

105 x 60 = 6300 seconds x 25 = 157,500 coulombs in the battery
157,500 / 3600 coulombs in an AH = 43AH

Return them as soon as possible.
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Old 02-19-2013, 02:30 PM   #9
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Damn, that sucks. They were listed as deep cycle batteries. But, not out much really. $109 is a small percentage of the total cost I'm dealing with for the solar project. Best I remember the amp hour rating was 105 amp hours. Not that I know solar by any means.

Then again.... Listed next to battery. Live and learn I guess.

"Trust Energizer Commercial batteries for all of your fleet, tractor, and truck needs."
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Old 02-19-2013, 03:28 PM   #10
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Vince,

RC 105 is not Amp Hours. It is a rating of "Reserve Capacity" in minutes.

Reserve Capacity, (RC) is a battery industry rating, defining a battery's ability to power a vehicle with an inoperative alternator or fan belt. The rating is the number of minutes a battery at 80 degrees F can be discharged at 25 amps and maintain a voltage of 10.5 volts for a 12 volt battery. The higher the reserve rating, the longer your vehicle can operate should your alternator or fan belt fail.

To convert RC in minutes to Amp Hours you must convert using a formula.
The correct way was listed below, but a general conversion factor (not as accurate, but close) is to divide RC by 2.4 to give Amp Hours.

so 105/2.4 = 43.75 Amp Hours (about half of a cheap, no name deep discharge house battery's capacity - about 70AH).
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Old 02-19-2013, 05:08 PM   #11
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Easily replaced. Probably should have picked this one up from the get go. Thought about it actually.

It's an AGM battery.

Duracell® AGM Deep Cycle Marine and RV Battery - Group Size 31DTMAGM - Sam's Club
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Old 02-19-2013, 07:13 PM   #12
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Another truck starting battery.
RC 200 about 84 AH
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Old 02-19-2013, 08:09 PM   #13
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But, but... It says RV... Sigh....
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Old 02-19-2013, 08:25 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by apollumi View Post
But, but... It says RV... Sigh....
I think the RV designation in this case refers to a motorhomes. This would be a great battery for the engine compartment to start the engine.

That same motorhomes will still real deep cycle batteries to power everything else.

I got 2 6v from Costco and am vert happy.
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Old 02-19-2013, 08:38 PM   #15
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Why do you consider the Duracell a truck battery?
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Old 02-20-2013, 07:40 AM   #16
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It's an engine starting battery with 800 cold cranking amps at 0°F as shown in specs. It's an AGM construction wich is advanced glass matt. These are sealed and you can't spill them. These ALSO work as a deep cycle battery.

The new batteries that are out are combo meal batteries as they are labeled for engine starting AND deep cycle. They indeed work well for doing both. HOWEVER, in the old days, if you deep discharged an engine starting battery on a regular basis, you would shorten the lifespan of the battery much quicker. These new batteries may not have that problem.

The battery I have in my new Columbus RV is a combo labeled battery by Interstate brand. It is not AGM either. I don't have an engine to start on the Columbus so I could not tell you if it works well for that or not. Works well for deep cycle however.

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/c...ineDeepCycle|3|
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Old 02-20-2013, 07:49 AM   #17
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Quote:
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Why do you consider the Duracell a truck battery?

Not the brand. The model mentioned.

Cold Cranking Amps = starting battery.

Large AH rating means house (storage) battery

House batteries NEVER have a CCA rating because they won't do very well starting an engine (can't give up a LOT of amps quickly). They are designed to give them up slowly over a long period of time.
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Old 02-20-2013, 08:20 AM   #18
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There are Dual Purpose (DP) batteries (my OEM battery was a DP - also called MARINE battery). This is because they are being asked to do TWO different jobs with the same plate design.

My experience has been that DP batteries are WAY better than a starting battery but if you KNOW that the battery will not be used to start an engine, the dedicated deep storage only battery is the way to go.
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Old 02-20-2013, 10:38 AM   #19
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So Herk, my Energizer E31C is not a marine type dual purpose battery? Yeah, I probably know the answer. You guys are gonna make me go 6v on the batteries so I can hopefully avoid stupid. Are there 12v deep cycle or are they just trolling motor, dual purpose, types??
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Old 02-20-2013, 10:45 AM   #20
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When I get back to the camper I will post some links to some true house batteries including 12 volt models.
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