AGM House Batteries - Where to Buy

[sgtlm17]

I also got the Duracell AGMs from Sams club. The price was so good the savings even covered the yearly membership to Sams Club. I have no complaints and they have and continue to perform well.

[BLT4SPD]

....and for reference, here's a picture of the label (with part number) from the Sam's Club Duracell Group 31 battery that I bought for our Isata 5.

[davidgle]

I priced 2 on Amazon and printed the page. Then I took it to Napa who after some consultation with manager, met the price. I like dealing locally.

[camaraderie]

The INTIMIDATORS are DEKA are PENN...they are all fine and all better than either interstate or OPTIMA ...Optima does not even MAKE a true deep cycle battery...only a dual purpose which has less amp hours than others of the same size in a normal plate configuration.
Also... Deka/Eastpenn is making the SAMS AGM's ...so they should be fine as well.
IMO...if you want the best AGM type batteries as opposed to the best of the major manufacturers....then you should consider:
Trojan Reliant
Firefly CarbonFoam
Odyssey TPPL
as all should provide both more cycles and quicker charging in the last two. All more expensive than standard AGM. Lifeline AGM's are also regarded by some to be superior.

[aircommuter]

I ended up at Amazon with Delco AGM, the shipping made the difference for me and no core charge.
Not where I would normally shop for batteries, but the price, shipping, and a battery that there are plenty of dealers around made the difference.

[jneum525]

Originally Posted by BLT4SPD

According to the picture you posted in your original post, you have a pair of Group 31 batteries. Here's your picture, but zoomed in on the part number which says "8A31DTM". That part number is a Group 31 battery. So, if you want like-for-like, you should be shopping for a pair of Group 31 batteries.

Appreciate the continued feedback on this subject. Great info. Not familiar w the part # and didn’t put 2 and 2 together that I had Group 31 house batteries already based on the 31 in the part #.

Now it makes me wonder if the original owner had already replaced the house batteries w 31s, especially if they only come w 27s. I had planned to replace them, based on my assumption that they were coming up on being 4 years old.

Brian,
Did Dynamax ever install Group 31 house batteries from the factory?

Thanks everyone!!!

[bclemens]

Yes...we originally installed Group 31's.

We had some shortages so we subbed Group 27 for a bit, but that 1" difference made it easier to get in and work on things so we stayed with the 27's for more space.

[jneum525]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Yes...we originally installed Group 31's.

We had some shortages so we subbed Group 27 for a bit, but that 1" difference made it easier to get in and work on things so we stayed with the 27's for more space.

Thanks Brian,
That explains the mystery on why we have 31s. Since they seem to fit, I think we will stay with that size. Appreciate the help as always...

[jneum525]

FYI for anyone else looking...

Leaning toward the Duracell Group 31 AGM batteries from Sam's based on what I have found.


Interstate Store
31M-AGM - $354.95
SRM-31 (Non-AGM) - $149.95

Costco
27 Deep Cycle Interstate - $87.99
(Note: The LA store in my area does not carry Group 31 or AGM Deep cycle batteries)

Sam's Club
31DTM-AGM - $179.74
27DTM-AGM - $158.88

Batteries Plus
SLI31DTMAGM - $244.99

[Philkaty]

Originally Posted by jneum525

Time to replace my AGM House batteries in my Isata 3.

Where is the best place to get them and what is the best type to get?

I have seen lots of threads re Batteries on this forum, but they always seem to devolve into a debate about Starting batteries vs AGM vs Lithium / 6 volt vs 12.

I want to keep using AGM deep cycle batteries. I just want some advice about what brand is good and where to get it. Is the Intimidator still available and considered one of the best?

Thank you!!!

Sam's club has Duracell AGM for a good price.

[rjw54]

You should consider Lifeline AGM batteries. They have a 5 year prorated warranty. Main office in San Dimas, CA but I know they ship everywhere.

[skipatroller]

I have purchased Interstate AGM's, I have 2 sets of 6v for a total of 4 of them. Each battery has an AH rating of 225, have had good success with them.


I have a residential fridge that requires the capacity I have, with use of a 100w solar panel I can usually get 4 days before I have to turn the generator on.

[skipatroller]

Forgot to mention where to buy them, look online to see if you can find an Interstate distributor in your area. I am fortunate and have 1 5 minutes from my house, better to deal with to buy and if you do have a problem there is no middle man.

[chroniekon]

Our Costco carries Interstate.

[bowebow]

Rural King. Deka.

[jneum525]

Thanks for the continued input.

I actually just disconnected my batteries and tested both w a battery load tester and both are still in great shape according to the tester, so perhaps I should wait another year or two before replacing.

Had just assumed that after almost 3-1/2 years since it was originally sold, the House batteries would need to be replaced, but it is my understanding that the AGM batteries last longer since they can be discharged further wo damage, so perhaps they are still good for awhile longer. Doesn't hurt that they are constantly being charged back up w the solar panels as well.


For those of you that have a '16 or '17 or even '18 Isata 3 (or others w the 12V AGM house batteries), have you had to replace them yet?

Thanks



Update on Pricing:
(The Duracell 31 DTM-AGM at Sam's is still looking like the best deal)

Interstate Store
31M-AGM - $354.95
SRM-31 (Non-AGM) - $149.95

Costco
27 Deep Cycle Interstate (non-AGM) - $87.99
(Note: The LA store in my area carries Interstate, but does not carry Group 31 or AGM Deep cycle batteries)

Sam's Club
Duracell
31DTM-AGM - $179.74
27DTM-AGM - $158.88

Batteries Plus
Duracell
SLI31DTMAGM - $244.99

Lifeline Batteries (Benchmark RV)
GPL 31T - $357.89
GPL 31XT - $432.44
(Note: Prices are from last year)

[chroniekon]

Mine is a 17 coach on a 16 chassis. All good still.

[AudiDudi]

Get a $25 refractometer from Amazon and measure the specific gravity of the batteries - that will tell you what shape they are in. (also useful for measuring other things)

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=refractom..._ts-doa-p_1_16

[ysidive]

Originally Posted by jneum525

FYI for anyone else looking...

Leaning toward the Duracell Group 31 AGM batteries from Sam's based on what I have found.


Interstate Store
31M-AGM - $354.95
SRM-31 (Non-AGM) - $149.95

Costco
27 Deep Cycle Interstate - $87.99
(Note: The LA store in my area does not carry Group 31 or AGM Deep cycle batteries)

Sam's Club
31DTM-AGM - $179.74
27DTM-AGM - $158.88

Batteries Plus
SLI31DTMAGM - $244.99

Bought the batteries from Sams club for my boat... After 4 years they were still strong and sold the boat with those same batteries.. The trick is when the boat was laid up for long perioe(Winter) I always kept a battery maintainer on them.... Never had a problem.
Buy them at sams and go to dinner on the money you saved

[Rich.M]

Get the Sams club Duracell group 31 agm and call it done. I replaced my Oem wet cell batteries with them the first year of owning our coach due to an acid leak. They performed well and trouble free for 4.5 years and then only started to show their age with lower maximum charge at 12.5 volts and faster discharge in storage. I just replaced them at 5 years no maintenance, no leaks. I did maintain them with monthly drives or generator runs in the storage months. You really can’t beat them considering the price.