Walmart Batteries

[VT Skier]

I am looking at buying a backup battery as we are looking to do a lot of dry camping does anyone have experience with Walmart batteries Also we are looking to run only the fridge and a few lights at night (switching to LED) how long would a battery last?
Thanks this is all new to us

[HONDAMAN174]

As I do not know the quality to Wally World batteries, just a reminder that technically to you do have a generator with you to recharge your batteries- your tow vehicle. Either connect by your 7 pin for a 15 amp charge or connect via jumper cables for a quicker charge.


2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"

[comfun1]

I usually buy two or three batteries a year as we have lots of vehicles. I buy the cheapest I can find and never have a problem with them. I had a cheap O'reilly battery in a truck that lasted seven years. I have a pair of deep cycles in my boat that are ten years old. I didn't take the boat out this summer so I don't know if they will charge up and be any good or not this next year. Some sit for months without being used and in the case of my boat it sometimes sits for a year or more. Occasionally when they sit a long time I have to put a charger on them, if it doesn't charge up I replace it. I know there are those that go to great lengths to take proper care of their batteries and if I only had one or two to care for I would be doing the same thing. I think you will find lots of threads on here about batteries and their care.

Incandescant lights and a water pump will drain your battery. When our kids were little we used to spend seven days each year at Rocky Mountain National Park and at the end our lights were dim and the pump ran slow. This was with very conservative use of lights. Our refrigerator ran on gas though. I don't think you will last long at all with a refrigerator running on a battery.

[VT Skier]

Fridge runs on gas but the lights and such in the fridge are electric.

[rlocicero]

I like Interstate batteries.

[Still Kickin]

Read this, it will give you a good overview on 12v knowledge. The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1) Then you can make a more informed decision.

[raspivey]

I've got a pair of Wally World group 24s on mine. They're going on four years old in RV use and are still kicking. Keep them maintained and they'll last quite a while. Anytime you let the lights go dim, you've probably already hurt them. Generally, don't let them discharge more than 50%.

Also, you mention "backup". If you mean adding an additional battery, they should be as close as possible in age and size. If yours is a year or more old, get two and use the old one on something else. If you mean you don't already have one, you probably won't make it but a night or two at the most on one battery (depending on the size).

Also keep in mind, if you run your furnace for heat, that will put a major drain on batteries if it's run often. The furnace fan is probably the single biggest amp draw you have.

[camaraderie]

Johnson Controls makes most of Walmarts batteries. Decent...not great. But usually good value.
The MAIN thing to insure if you are going the 12V route is that you get a TRUE DEEP CYCLE... they sell a lot of dual purpose deepcycle/starting batteries. Walk away from any battery that talks about cranking amps on its label (or CCA)...it ain't deep cycle.
Also get the largest physical size battery you can fit. You are paying for AMP HOURS which require lead....the more lead...the more amp hours. Group 24's will give you around 70-75 amp hours, Group 27's 90-100 and Group 31's 100-110. Since you can only use HALF of those amp hours before recharging is needed (without battery damage)...every amp counts. But if you are hooking up in parallel with an existing 12V battery...you need to stick with the same size AND don't do it if the existinng battery is not newish as well...you'll hurt the new battery.
How MUCH battery you need is another issue. Suggest you get yourself an AC/DC Clamp meter to see how many amps you use typically as you camp. Then you'll know how long your batteries will last before they need a recharge. Everyone is different in this regard. Good luck!

[davel1971]

Walmart batteries come from a couple manufacturers, depending on group size. Most are from Johnson Controls, like previously said. Same company that makes most of the car/truck OEM batteries. They are the best battery value out there IMO

[OldCoot]

And remember, Wally World has a great warranty on batteries. If they go bad, they'll give you new ones.

[Iwannacamp]

They used to advertise 24 month free replacement on their "better" DC battery...it no longer states that on the battery. Lady told me that was still their warranty..that was the best I found for a DC battery on the normal side of life.


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[kevnky]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

They used to advertise 24 month free replacement on their "better" DC battery...it no longer states that on the battery. Lady told me that was still their warranty..that was the best I found for a DC battery on the normal side of life.


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Johnson control makes a lot of brands of batteries. Interstate,deka, optima to name a few. I worked for jc. Lol


2015 wildwood 253.

[camaraderie]

East Penn makes Deka...the others are Johnson.
East Penn Manufacturing – The world's largest single site, family-owned lead-acid battery manufacturer

[GreenImp]

Walmart's batteries are mostly made by Johnson Controls, a few are made by Exide. Here's the complete list of who makes what...

Car and Deep Cycle Battery FAQ, Battery Manufacturers and Brand Names List, and