Golf cart batteries... brand comparison.

[Derek Rowell]

My almost three year old 4D house batteries have died - voltage was down to 11.5 volts after 6 amp.hours taken from them on the weekend *cry This time around I will go with GC2/GC5 6v. golf cart batteries. Now the question is: which brand? The conventional wisdom is that Trojan T105's are the "gold standard". The cheapest I have found them locally is $88 each. At the same time, Sam's Club advertises Exide "Stowaway" GC2's at $46 each, and with the same specs as the T105's. As far as I know Exide is an international company with a good reputation.Does anybody have any experience that would compare the two in terms of longevity, and value for money>

 

[Don]

T125's too

DerekI'm sure there are experts among us who can describe the differences between battery mfgs. My only purpose in responding was to suggest you consider T125s which are replicates of the ubiquitous T105s but with a higher capacity rating. Got mine at a battery place in Providence for about the same price you quoted.DonIllusion

 

[Rick D]

Or, T-145's

which are the same case size but for 1/2 inch taller. Yes, I do think Trojans are the very best and have 125's on my boat now. Having said that, they are a little tired after three years.Rick D.

 

[Daryl]

do the math, then go to SAMS

.

 

[John Nantz]

Usage and Life?

Three years? That seems like a really short time so I'm really curious what's hapening and how the batteries are being used. 1. New England Winter: do the bateries sit for a half-year doing nothing? If so, any acid battery is going to sulfate up and that kills them. 2. Heavy batterys use? That'll do it too especially if they're often discharged heavily.3. Type of charging and alternator: A high-output alternator with a multi-step regulator will effectively help keep the sulfate off the plates. If the charge rate is mostly low, like a liveaboard hooked up to shorepower then the electrolyte will more or less just sit there and nothing gets agitated. That's not good for them either. Knowing how you use your batteries, given the "three year life" would be interesting information.Before I put the Dynos in we went 8 years with T-105s and while the voltage was still excellent the amp-hours seemed to decrease so I changed them out anyway. Bang for the buck I was really pleased, and they cost $55 each for a set of four back in 1993. The Dynos I have now (? $60 ea?) are "heavy duty" at 245ah/pair and are four years old so I can't really say how they're working out - so far, so good, I guess but with the higher AH one can expect a shorter lifespan, everything else being equal.The Trojans worked really good for me and I'd use either the 105s or the HD ones in a heartbeat. With a genset I think I'd go with the 105s.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Don, who is your Providence supplier?

Don- I found that the T125 & T145 batteries commanded a significent premium that was well above the increase in capacity. I would like to know who your supplier is.I am using Trojan T-105's (4 of them) with a genset. I am starting year number 4. They seem to be OK, but when they were brand new the level of the acid seemed to be low- only 1/8-1/4" over the plates.Long story short- on two occasions I added more battery acid (1.280sg) to increase the level. Adding more water (which is the normal recommendation) would have diluted the acid to below 1.280sg at full charge. I monitor my batteries with a Link 20 and do hydrometer measurements a couple of times each season. A high quality hydrometer is required. See the attached link for an excellent hydrometer.I had a set of Excide GC5 prior to these Trojans. They lasted only 3 years and in the second and third year I was unhappy with their performance.Bottom line- I would go with the Trojans of any size T-105, T125, or T145

 

[Derek Rowell]

T125 vs T105

My impression also was that the small increase in capacity did not justify the cost premium on the T125's... The last time I looked they were considerably more expensive.

 

[Brian L.20665]

Shop around for Trojans

2 years ago, I purchased a couple of T105s. In Annapolis, they were priced in the $85 range (boat prices!). I got them for $58 each at a golf cart repair place an hour away from Annapolis. I found that dealer by using the dealer locator at the Trojan website and called for pricing first. Shop around.

 

[Don]

Rich/Derek

For some reason my response didn't post - trying again...Don't recall name of the place but it's off Broad Street in Providence - found them by doing a google search for Deca battery suppliers locally. As I recall, the T125s were about $68 each in 2004 - essentially the same as the T105s

 

[Gord May]

some references

http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/index.htmlincluding:http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/01.Type/http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/04.Costs/index.html

 

[Derek Rowell]

Thanks Gord

I was aware of these links, and was just looking at them yesterday...Very useful.I've decided to go with T105's. I can't find the cheap rates locally that others have quoted, so I'll settle for $88.

 

[Gord May]

equal value ?

A little philosophy on “value”.Often, tho’ not always, you get what you pay for.You never get what you DON’T pay for (something for nothing).Quality costs. There are no “magic bullets” that allow one manufacturer to build the same quality, at significantly lower cost than others. Hence, products that claim the same features, functions, & benefits (quality), should be priced at very similar levels (with minor variations).I’m generally suspicious of any product, within a claimed quality level, that has a significant higher or lower price than the mean.FWIW,Gord May