Need a new battery...brand?

Rauch0812 · May 06, 2010, 08:24 PM

Last year we purchased an Everstart Maxx 31 group battery from Walmart for $70 and I guess it did us OK, but before a year was up it would no longer charge. Cutting to chase, I need to buy a new battery for our pop-up and I want to buy a decent one this year, but don't want to waste money on more than I need. Our pop up has a fridge, lights, may use the heater fan some, can't really think of anything else... we never camp more than 3 nights...

I'd love anyone's feedback who may have similiar power usage as us...

Thanks all!
Desera

'00 Coachmen 1280

sacrawf · May 06, 2010, 10:50 PM

I have great success with Interstate batteries on both my boat deep cycle trolling motor and on the popup. I buy mine at Gander Mountain stores, but they are available nationwide. http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_estore/

copcarguy · May 06, 2010, 11:05 PM

I've had a few Wal-Mart deep cycle batteries, and like yours after a year or so they just give up. I also have Group 24 batteries in other brands that have more power than a WM Group 27. I won't buy a Wal-Mart deep cycle again...

My parents camper has 2 Energizer Group 27's that they got at Sams Club, and they hold a charge for a looong time.

I've had very good luck with Interstate Batteries. They stand behind their product - I had a warranty issue with one and they made it right. I have one that is on it's third or fourth season and still going strong.

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/content/product_info/marine.asp?id=RVs

A second brand that has worked well for me is Deka.

http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/default.aspx?pageid=480

The best RV battery out there is an Optima Blue-Top, but at almost $200 it's very expensive.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_products/bluetop/specs.php

I hope this helped!

wavery · May 06, 2010, 11:38 PM

Batteries are a coin toss no matter what you buy. Basically.....you get what you pay for.

If you want a cheap battery, go to a big box store. If you want a little less risk, I also vote for Interstate (they are definitely a step up) but it will cost you a little more.

I hate fussing with batteries and I don't like being concerned about counting watts, turning off lights and freezing my ares off in the middle of the night.

I spent extra to have the best batteries that I could find and a decent solar system to keep them charged. In the long run, I think we each spend about the same, it's just a matter of how many times that you want to have "New" batteries........:p

Go out, buy a battery (or 2) and don't lose too much sleep over it.

Rauch0812 · May 07, 2010, 05:34 AM

I only have room on the tounge for one battery and the knowledge for dealing with one battery... so, with just one battery... which group size should I get? Looks like I'm going to go with Interstate (unsure if I'm going to splurge for the optima or not). Either way - advice on group size for regular insterstate and for optima?
Thanks again, I've tried reading the "specs" and that's overwhelming - I just want someone to point and I'll buy :p

Thanks!
Des

coach · May 07, 2010, 07:53 AM

It's been my experience that battery care is far more important than battery brand.
Its just as easy to ruin an expensive battery as a cheap one.

Deep cycle. If your box/tray is big enough for a 31, continue with a 31 if you can find one.
Call the local interstate store and ask about blemished battery.
Last time I checked Sam's, they sold interstate deep cycle.

griffsdad · May 07, 2010, 09:16 AM

I'm with Wayne - I love Interstate batteries

tplife · May 07, 2010, 11:27 AM

How about joining the 21st Century and moving on? Lead acid batteries are so...canvas tent! Get an AGM battery like the ones OPTIMA makes.
There are many advantages to an AGM battery vs. lead acid. My house battery is an optima and now I realize that my cars should be too. Costco carries them.

chip · May 08, 2010, 06:14 AM

If the battery is only a year old, it should be under some type of warranty...take it back to Wally World and exchange it for a new one. Make sure that you take the receipt so that you can prove when you bought the battery.

Take care of the replacement and save your coins so that when it dies, you'll be able to upgrade to the interstate or optima of your choice.

Just my .02

Hoagie · May 08, 2010, 01:36 PM

An AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat is a type of lead-acid battery. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to all three of the main lead-acid battery types being manufactured and sold today. (Flooded cell, Gel-Cell, and AGM.) For a pretty good comparison of the different technologies, I found this site helpful when I was looking to make the same decision last year.

http://blog.batteryweb.com/blogroll/vrla-vs-gel-vs-agm-heres-the-answers/2009-07-13

We ended up going with a set of Trojan T-105s.

Rauch0812 · May 08, 2010, 06:21 PM

Ran down to the interstate batteries warehouse near my house for a battery. The gentleman working in the store didn't feel the optima was worth the extra money for just a pop up w/ the few battery draining devices we have and said he advised just going with the group 29 battery. Then I asked if he happened to have a "blemish" battery. He happened to have one left, it has a small gash in the plastic, nothing but cosmetic - assured me it was perect. I walked out paying $38 INCLUDING the $10 core. WOW. Thanks Coach for the advice - I'd never even heard of them!

Desera
'00 Coachman 1280

aw738 · May 08, 2010, 06:25 PM

With the exception of the Deka's and the Trojan's all of the brands of batteries that have been mentioned are manufactured by JCI (Johnson Controls Inc). I sell their batteries and a factory rep told me main difference is the label. As said before maintenance is the key to long life.

http://www.themanufacturer.com/us/profile/204/Johnson_Controls

coach · May 09, 2010, 09:15 PM

Glad you got a deal on a blemmie

I heard about em on a forum, They've never had the right size for me!

tplife · May 10, 2010, 05:42 PM

Quote from: Rauch0812;217012Ran down to the interstate batteries warehouse near my house for a battery. The gentleman working in the store didn't feel the optima was worth the extra money for just a pop up w/ the few battery draining devices we have and said he advised just going with the group 29 battery. Then I asked if he happened to have a "blemish" battery. He happened to have one left, it has a small gash in the plastic, nothing but cosmetic - assured me it was perect. I walked out paying $38 INCLUDING the $10 core. WOW. Thanks Coach for the advice - I'd never even heard of them!

Desera
'00 Coachman 1280

Rauch, I'd never buy anything from "Coach" again, since he seems to not have any experience about using Optima batteries. Using my Optima for a 200W stereo and three light fixtures is a similar use for your popup application. I have used lead-acid and AGM, for motorcycles and house battery use, and I'd NEVER go back to lead-acid batteries for either application, there are simply too many good reasons not too. My Optima will long outlast a lead-acid battery, twice as long or longer yet it doesn't cost twice as much (including a $20 rebate). My Optima battery never needs a battery box since it doesn't leak liquid sulfuric acid that can corrode and damage paint, metal, plastic and wood. My Optima battery charges twice as fast as a lead-acid battery without damage. My Optima battery doesn't degas H2, so it can be safely stored in my garage or used in an unvented enclosure. My Optima battery is smaller and weighs less, so it costs less to transport and takes up less room to store. The place where lead-acid batteries shine is if you have room for two 6-volt golf cart batteries wired in series to make 12V. The added capacity of the golf cart batteries due to their cost makes two of them superior to AGM, providing you have the storage capacity to house two 6V batteries and a leakproof, vented enclosure.

copcarguy · May 11, 2010, 07:04 PM

Quote from: tplife;217000How about joining the 21st Century and moving on... Get an AGM battery like the ones OPTIMA makes.

I posted about Optima's a few posts above yours. I agree with you 100% Optima batteries are the best if you can afford them.

Then you posted "Rauch, I'd never buy anything from "Coach" again, since he seems to not have any experience about using Optima batteries."

Rauch0812 bought nothing from Coach. No need to bash him for "not having any experience about using Optima batteries". Coach merely suggested looking for a "blemished" battery to save some money. The gentleman working in the store Rauch0812 went to didn't feel the optima was worth the extra money and sold them an Interstate.

The advice in your last post was spot-on, and 100% accurate.

I am not trying to start a fight here, just try reading more clearly what others have posted and maybe try to word stuff a little less abrasively. This is the 21st century after all...

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Need a new battery...brand?