Any reasons not use buy MK / Deka AGM batteries? Lifeline worth the cost?

[belfert]

Has anybody had any issues with the MK / Deka AGM batteries?  Any reasons not to buy them?  I did find a post to an RV forum from an RV dealer who said he quit selling the MK / Deka batteries due to many issues with them.

I am seriously considering two of the MK / Deka 4D AGM batteries to replace my dying battery bank.  Are the Lifeline / Concorde 4Ds worth an extra $50 per battery over the MK / Deka batteries?  I am not considering the Chinese batteries because of some of the issues I have read about them.

[luvrbus]

The Concorde Sun Xtenders are the same battery as the Lifeline for 100 dollars less only difference is the warranty you pay big $ for it on the LifeLines

[wg4t50]

First, I do not use the AGM Batteries, instead, use 4 of the 8G8D Gell batteries, the first set went more than 7.5 yrs, so I replaced them, the surprise was the new set had the same life as the old set.  So I wasted money, should have waited a few more years.
You can find experts bad mouthing everything ever made including batteries, me, have always had great luck with East Penn who make M&K and Deka, but I only buy fresh batteries, learn to read the date code, avoid over 60 days old...
Dave M

[TomC]

Big difference is a Chinese battery or American made Lifeline (made right here in Irwindale, Ca). I like to support our country, so I'll pay more. Plus, I've had good luck with Lifeline-the first set of 2-8D's lasted 7yrs (they have a prorated 5yr warranty standard). If you have the height (16") go with the 6V L16's. They weigh about 115lbs compared to the 8D's 165lbs and they are 400amp/hrs. So 4 will be 800amp/hrs at 12vdc. Good Luck, TomC

[John316]

Big difference is a Chinese battery or American made Lifeline (made right here in Irwindale, Ca). I like to support our country, so I'll pay more.

Tom, you have to realize that for all the rest of us, we are buying internationally either way. Doesn't matter whether it is the People's Republic of California or the People's Republic of China.

LOL, sorry guys. I just had to say it .

We have the AGM Lifeline batteries now, for our house bank. Regular wet on the chassis. Will we change? Kinda doubt it. Not sure I would go with MK for a $50 dollar difference.

YMMV

John

[luvrbus]

Mk/Deka are not Chinese made batteries they are made right here in the US of A, their free replacement warranty period is better than the Lifelines by a year FWIW East Penn is the largest battery manufacturing plant in the world  covers 500 acres  

[belfert]

Interestingly enough, I'm finding online where the Lifeline batteries are sometimes less expensive than the Concorde Batteries on the same website.  The 4D batteries I found online are Concorde.  There is a large battery distributor locally that carries Lifeline Batteries and I will see if they are price competitive with ordering online.  (Shipping batteries is not cheap.)

Aren't MK / Deka AGM batteries made in the USA just like Lifeline and Concorde?

I don't use my bus enough to justify a bank of four L16 batteries as I need 24 volt.  I have six AGM batteries now that are something like 138 AH each.  My plan is to downsize to just two 4D batteries.  The 4D size seems like the best bang for the buck for me.  8D batteries are the same price per amp hour as a 4D, or even more.

[luvrbus]

Lifeline, Sun Xtender,and Concorde are all the same battery made by the Concorde Battery Manufacturing Co.FWIW then they manufacture the batteries for other things like scooters and wheelchairs under the name of Chairman

[wg4t50]

This is going nuts, East Penn is located in Lyon Station, Pa. Not China, second, Johnson Controls is the LARGEST USA battery manufacturer, all others are 2nd, 3rd, etc,, etc.
As usual , just do what makes you happy, I don't care what anyone else uses for batteries or engines. If they smile, that is good enuff.
We buy\sell about 250 a year, a mix of Group 8D, 4D, 31, 27, 26, 24, 2, & 1 and a few U1.
Dave M

[luvrbus]

Dave I did not say East Penn was the largest battery manufacture in the world I said the LARGEST plant Johnson Controls has plants scattered thru out the US even their largest in Mexico is no where close to the size of the plant in Lyon Station I have seen both fwiw

[wg4t50]

Gotcha, I have always been amazed that Johnson Controls has become such a battery outfit, and do agree East Penn is one large, nearly 500 acre plant, that is large indeed.
Mostly we use the Johnson control batteries, but for some applications we do go with East Penn, and just for giggles, the past 4 8G8D set I bought from East Penn were labeled Deka Dominator Gell, and were $265.00 each, so you see we have a good source for the past 25+ years. My personnel battery useage are usually free for the John Deere, Lawn Mwer, Honda CRV, FL60 w/5.9, Ford F150, F350 6.7 PS, Cummins Generator,  but for the motor home they just give me a great price that I appreciate.

[Oonrahnjay]

      Brian - Do you use Straight-Weight SAE 40 oil in your Dina?  Why don't you tell us about it? 

[luvrbus]

There is nothing wrong with the Deka batteries Belfert we sell both the Deka and Lifeline and it is a toss up on which is the best both are good batteries

[jmblake]

Brian,
I just put 4 - 6volt Deka agm's in my bus house system back in the spring. so far no complaints, I bought them from my local autoparts and had right around $800.00 in them including tax. I quess time will tell how they hold up. Jason

[belfert]

     Brian - Do you use Straight-Weight SAE 40 oil in your Dina?  Why don't you tell us about it?  

I've been using 15W-40 in my Series 60!  I better run out and get some 40 weight in the morning.