Best Deal on T125 (or equivalent) Batteries?

[NJT5047]

I have need for a number of golf car batteries.  Looking for 6V T-125 or US2200...or similar.

Does Sam's Club or Costco sell such things?   I've checked with several battery suppliers, but haven't found any 'deals yet.  Not sure that there are any deals to be had on these type batteries. 
Looked on the Sam's and Costco websites for batteries, but they are not listed.  I've seen references to such items at some outlet type stores.   Walmart doesn't have them.  Checked that out.  Our Walmart only deals with 12V batteries...same for Tractor supply. 
I'm looking for 20 batteries...so the price is important.   Trojans T's would be nice, but they are incredibly pricey.   
Had a quote from Interstate for $1400 bucks...went down to buy the batts and now the price is $2080....  Someone made a mistake when they quoted the batteries I reckon...needless to say, that hurt my feelings.  Sorta. 
But hey...I'll buy'em somewhere else too.   
Any ideas appreciated.   JR

[Jerry Liebler]

JR,
   Dam that sure sounds like a nice house battery, 2000AH+ at 12 volts.  But I know it's for a 120 volt bank in your car project.   Why don't you want to go with AGMs?  Not much more than those prices!  The best AGM deals are on the universal UB121100 which is a 12 volt 110 AH battery so 20 would be almost the same energy storage, probably a bit smaller and lighter, they are group 30 H size and weigh 72 lbs each.  Some electric car guys have done 'group buys' and gotten them for $85 each ($1700 for your pack).   Several internet sites have them at $129 or so ($2580 for your needs). The UB121100 is neat because it is rated as 80 AH at the 1 hour rate so you might be able to use 10 and still have fair range.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120 

[white-eagle]

i talked to my brother at Crown Battery in Fremont, OH.  Lead has gone thru the roof this past 6 months.  (Evidently due to lead paint in toys).  they do make a really good, heavy 6 volt and they really do make them in Ohio.  but he said what cost $90 last spring now is $180.  They do have factory 2nds.  They are also a really big supplier of humongus mine and forklift battery types if you want a ridiculously heavy duty and heavy battery in any voltage/amperage you want.

look it up on the web or send me an email for a phone number.  i have no connection to them other than my brother.  i did used to sweep floors by hand with a push broom when i was in high school, but that was right after Elvis and b4 Beatles so it doesn't count. 

[NewbeeMC9]

I bought my 6V golf cart batteries at Sams. in greenville sc

[TomC]

With that many batteries, I highly recommend you go with AGM batteries.  They don't gas, they keep a charge for a long time (a year), can mount them in any position (even upside down, although they would rather you didn't), and you can charge them very fast-can charge with high amps so long as the overall volts are not exceeded (typically 14.4 volts), they last longer than flooded batteries, they're sealed so no watering, but are about twice as expensive.
I have them in my bus and swear by them.  Will run no other battery now.
Try looking up Chinese batteries-will be cheaper.  Good Luck, TomC

[kyle4501]

Find out who supplies batteries to the local golf course. They will have the freshest supply & are likely to be the ones supplying all the smaller shops. You may even be able to add yours onto the golf course order & benefit from their discount.

Good luck

[Dale MC8]

I have a 16 battery group for my house bank and by phoning around found that battery suppliers (in this area at least) gave a better price for a pallet's worth, plus they threw in delivery, carrying straps, etc. As mentioned above, check with local golf courses, other busnuts, etc. and try for a combined order.
HTH, Dale MC8

[NJT5047]

Thanks guys.  I'm stuck with lead acid 6V golf cart batteries.  Anyway, the battery boxes probably wouldn't accept Optima or most 12V batteries. 
As Jerry indicated, this isn't a house battery pack, they are going into an EV.  The charger is set up for 120V @ 1200 lbs of lead acid...and there ain't no altering that without returning to the manufacturer.   
Generally, 12V batteries are only used in high performance applications.  12V batts don't offer any range.   Even 8V golf car batteries are inferior to 6V T125/T145 batteries. 
LiIon is the hot item, but has a hot price too.  And complicated to charge properly.  Won't be long before some new technology will create really good batteries...if gasoline remains at $3 bucks or more per gallon.  Notice that gas usually drops after a 'profit taking' period.  I believe that is planned to avoid a mass migration to petroleum free transportation...and high milage hybrids and such.
I see that Sam's and Costco deal with these things so I'll check them out this weekend.
Ran into another problem....most battery wholesalers are wanting cores....Major Bummer! 
One guy offered a 4 battery equiv for my original 8ds.   Now, if I can find 16 more!
I tried to give him motorcycle batteries...I've got a $#i+ load of motorcycle batteries...but, no go on that.  They want a weight equivalent.
I understand that Sam's and Costco don't require cores?  That would be a plus!
I've found prices around $88 bucks each.  But the core thing could be another $300 bucks!
JR

[TomC]

The T125/145 are made in AGM.  Even though they are more expensive, I still maintain you should seriously look into them.  They can be used with the wet battery charger-the only thing AGM batteries are sensitive to is over volting them during charging.  If you don't go over the 7.2 volt per battery, then you can pump in as much amps as you can-making your recharge time ALOT less.  Anyone can make an electric vehicle with lots of wet cells.  Using AGM's is unique.  Plus-to save space you can mount them laying down and save several inches of height.  You'll be kicking your self many times over each time you have to check and water all the wet cells, when AGM takes NO water or maintanence, other than keeping the battery clean.  Plus since the AGM doesn't gas, your terminals will never get corroded.  Good Luck, TomC

[TomC]

One more on AGM's-yes they are more expensive, but you'll get more cycles out of them then some cheapy wet battery.  Talk to Lifeline batteries on comparison of battery life-I think you'll find in the long run that AGM's are going to be ultimately less expensive.  Good Luck, TomC

[NJT5047]

Thanks Tom, I'm going to do some comparison shopping. 
Still....you don't see many EVs using AGMs.  Price isn't the primary issue for most builders.
I'm familiar with an S-10 that operates on 12V AGMs, but it has no range.  About 10 miles.  That works for the owner, but it wouldn't work for me. 
I'll let you know what I find out. 
Thanks, JR

[Lin]

Here's a guy on Craigslist selling a bunch cheap.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bfs/497342170.html