8D Deep Cycle AGM questions

[Scott & Heather]

I've been researching both on this site and the internet the best prices for deep cycle AGM 8D batts and just was hoping to get input. TomC loves his lifelines. They are definitely not cheap...are there other sources that anyone has had good performance from that are less $$$ than lifelines?


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[luvrbus]

If you read the specs good you get more bang for the dollar with the 4D's, Lifelines are good batteries so are the others like Deka, the problem with the LifeLines you pay dearly for the warranty.
You can buy the same battery under the Sun Extender label from Lifeline for less money because you are not paying for the warranty.
People I know are having good luck from the Fullriver brand but I don't have any experiences with Fullriver.The Trojans wet cell 6 volt 105 are a tough act to follow for the bucks      

[TomC]

Cost wise, this is what I came up with for battery size. Using 1200amp/hrs Lifeline batteries. For 6v the 6CT 300ah would use 8 batteries at $389.99 ea for a total of $3,119.92. Using the L16T 400hr would use 6 batteries at $579.99 ea for a total of $3,479.94. 12v batteries- 8D 255hr you use 5 for a total of 1,275hr at $639.99ea for a total of $3,199.95. 4D 210hr you use 6 for a total of 1,260hr at $539.99ea for a total of $3,239.94.
I use 2-8D's and hate them-way too heavy at 156lbs ea to handle. I'm leaning towards the 6CT batteries at 90lbs ea. Lifeline are made in the USA-which is why they are more expensive. 5yr warranty, but my first set lasted 7yrs. Many Chinese batteries. Good Luck, TomC

[Scott & Heather]

Thanks Cliff. I'll check out those other brands. Thanks Tom. Good calculations to go by. I guess it would indeed be easier to toss around 90lb batts versus 150lb batts for sure.


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[eagle19952]

DEKA regional distributors can get blems...at significantly reduced costs. IIRC I paid less than $130.00 ea for two AGM 4D's and less than $100 for a AGM grp 31.

I bought a cheap AutoZone GM side terminal (3 year free repl. warranty tho) yesterday for $107.00

Find a DEKA jobber and ask. they normally don't stock them but can get in a few days. I get mine in Ft. Myrers, FL

ps find the distributor not a retailer.

[luvrbus]

Deka is a American made battery so is the Trojan, I don't have good luck with Lifeline AGM in the heat of AZ   

[4104SoFl]

First, I do not know nothing.
8D's were in the 4104, so I replaced them with 8D's from NAPA.
Been good me so far. About 4 years. Man they are heavy.
I used a motorcycle repair jack to remove and reinstal them.
Worst part was getting out of the truck and on the ground to get them on the jack.
Taking them out and putting them back in was no problem.
I also removed them, cleaned and painted the battery box area.
Again with the jack no problem.
Napa battery has been good, was not cheap.

[jhufford]

Love my Lifeline 4D's ...the golf cart batteries are a real pain to service.  Lifelines are clean and trouble free. 

[windtrader]

Just today, I picked up four Interstate GC2 6v 215Ah deep cycle batteries for the house battery system. The stack of scratch paper full of calculations convey the amount of head scratching done to decide which way to go.

The expensive batteries were beyond what I wanted to spend. Start batteries were out. Marine batteries for the most part are hybrid start/deep cycle. I tried very very hard to make a lithium system work but was more than I wanted to spend.

Finally, the garden variety 6V golf cart batteries offer very good value; that is, deep cycle design (i.e. thicker plates), low cost per watt of storage, and good life (not going more than 50-70% DOD).

Costco has them for $84, $340 for four, very hard to beat to get my energy storage back in the house system. Plus they weigh a whole lot less than the 4D that came out.

[jhufford]

Don,  How will 4 6volt batteries work for you...that's just 2 banks of 12volt?

[windtrader]

Yes, all in series for 24v 210Ah
5040 Wh total capacity
4032 Wh 80% DOD: 650 cycles
2520 Wh 50% DOD 1220 cycles

I got the bus so my daily consumption is not known but estimated to be on the low side as the refrig, stove, oven are LP. LED TV, water pump, lights don't draw much. Also, planning on solar panels to charge batteries during the day, so hoping the stored energy will be enough. 


Costco Golf Cart Batteries
Group Size GC2
Interstate Part # 9-GC2-UTL
Costco Item # 850284
Volts 6
RC @ 75A = 105, RC @ 25A 383, 210 Ah @ 20Hr., 175 Ah @ 5Hr

[Oonrahnjay]

Just today, I picked up four Interstate GC2 6v 215Ah deep cycle batteries for the house battery system. T
....
Costco has them for $84, $340 for four, very hard to beat to get my energy storage back in the house system. Plus they weigh a whole lot less than the 4D that came out.

    Nice.  Good work.

[Scott & Heather]

Ok now
I'm confused. How many do I need? 6v batts...I am using them for start batts.


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[eagle19952]

Ok now
I'm confused. How many do I need? 6v batts...I am using them for start batts.


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i think your thread drifted...clear out to sea...

you do not want any combination of 6v batteries for starts... imo.
my post refers to 4D/8D/GRP 31 12v start batteries AGM DEKA.

do they even make 6v AGM START BATTERIES ?

[luvrbus]

You don't want 6v deep cylce batteries for starting go with 4 group 31 for the convenience or 2-8D's since you are young,me along with the others just presumed you were talking about house batteries sorry about that