Deep cycle batteries

[NOCK NOCK]

Looking for a new battery for the toyhauler, group27 size. Is there really that big of a difference between brands?What brand do you recommend?  Diehard, Schwab, Exide, Costco, etc.

[2labs]

2 trojan 6 volts. True deep cycle

[Igor]

I have tried 'em all over the years.  Right now I have a group 27 Interstate battery.  This brand is as good as any 12v I've tried.

I tried the Trojan 6v batteries, and I wasn't that impressed.

One thing I would recommend is to buy a Battery Tender, and use it to keep your batteries charged up when not in use.  It will prolong the life of your batteries immensely.  You cannot boil them dry, as happens with the on-board charger.  I leave mine on all winter, and come spring the batteries are all charged, and good to go.

http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-chargers/bt-022-0185g-dl-wh.html

[Woodchuck]

2 trojan 6 volts. True deep cycle

as long as you have the space.

[300rum]

If you plan on dry camping for any length of time or plan on using it in the winter (heater fan running all the time) go with a solar charger.  I run two Schwab 12v batteries and the solar charger, I can keep the batteries charged even in cloudy winter days in Montana in Negative weather with minimal generator usage. 

[NOCK NOCK]

I am replacing a diehard silver that was purchased in 2011.  All toy batteries are kept on battery tenders  Not sure why this one died but it's getting an error message and says  replace battery   It will not take a charge fluid levels are all good 
 Les Schwab what's 129,  Costco wants $79,  both are comparable batteries.  I just can't see the batteries would have that much difference 50 bucks wise.

[dscubame]

I am replacing a diehard silver that was purchased in 2011.  All toy batteries are kept on battery tenders  Not sure why this one died but it's getting an error message and says  replace battery   It will not take a charge fluid levels are all good 
 Les Schwab what's 129,  Costco wants $79,  both are comparable batteries.  I just can't see the batteries would have that much difference 50 bucks wise.

I have become a fan of Batteries Plus.

[j_h_nimrod]

We used to have a system that I maintained that had well over 12 Trojan 6v batteries at any given time to maintain. If cared for the Trojans are hard to beat, but most systems are not optimized with them and cannot sufficiently charge them to keep the plates clean and at their best. Battery tenders are good but batteries should be equalized regularly for best life.

4 years for a battery in your RV seems like a pretty good stretch, I wouldn't expect much more than that depending on your use. Hopefully your new battery will be isolated or stand alone from the older batteries, adding a new battery to an old bank is a great way to shorten the life of the new one.

[Woodchuck]

We used to have a system that I maintained that had well over 12 Trojan 6v batteries at any given time to maintain. If cared for the Trojans are hard to beat, but most systems are not optimized with them and cannot sufficiently charge them to keep the plates clean and at their best. Battery tenders are good but batteries should be equalized regularly for best life.

4 years for a battery in your RV seems like a pretty good stretch, I wouldn't expect much more than that depending on your use. Hopefully your new battery will be isolated or stand alone from the older batteries, adding a new battery to an old bank is a great way to shorten the life of the new one.

This

[lokidog]

I am replacing a diehard silver that was purchased in 2011.  All toy batteries are kept on battery tenders  Not sure why this one died but it's getting an error message and says  replace battery   It will not take a charge fluid levels are all good 
 Les Schwab what's 129,  Costco wants $79,  both are comparable batteries.  I just can't see the batteries would have that much difference 50 bucks wise.

Costco has quite the short warranty on Deep Cycles, don't know if Schwab is better, that might make a difference.  We've been buying ours from Costco lately though.

[Woodchuck]

Do some research, you may be really surprised how few actual battery manufacturers there really are and how many different labels get slapped on batteries that roll off the same assembly line. 

[h20hunter]

http://www.techbatterysolutions.com/Battery-Tender-2-Bank-International-12V-Charger-p/c38.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjw9dWuBRDFs9mHv-C9_FkSJADo58iMGdtMO5AWCp0AkvDFccEgbVvCMK37O0kfxmSziX-R-xoCbdjw_wcB&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=google&utm_term=C38


A must in my book. Hook er up and let 'er ride.

[b23]

My boat came with 3 Interstate Batteries and they were excellent.  We'd anchor and have XM radio going all day and never ever had a single problem with them in 6yrs.

My dad has AGM batteries on his boat and he swears by them.

[NOCK NOCK]

Do some research, you may be really surprised how few actual battery manufacturers there really are and how many different labels get slapped on batteries that roll off the same assembly line. 

I was thinking that. Many products these days like that

[Buzz2401]

Costco for me they are affordable and seem to work well.  I tried the expensive Yellow and Blue Tops before and had horrible experiences with them and will never waste my money on one again.

[RockChuck]

Trojan 6 volts, check the water regularly, you can use 2 or 4 or more depending on space.

[Kittman]

Right now I have an Interstate group 27 installed in my camper which replaced a Trojan which gave me about 3 years of reliable service until it had to be replaced.  I wasn't really that impressed on the Trojan brand, maybe I got a dud.  Another manufacture I have my used is Deka/East Penn power sport battery which I installed in my dual sport, it has been in the bike a couple years and is still going strong.  I think I might replace the camper with a Deka AGM one next time.  I do not like the idea of the battery acid mess that happens with conventional deep cycle batteries so I will probably fork out the extra money and get an AGM style next time.