Which Golf Cart Batteries ?

[forsailbyowner]

I bought my bank of 8 golf cart batteries at sams club for around 65 apiece. 4 years old now and still going strong.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by DC Battery

The most popular Golf Cart size batteries are definitely the Trojan T105, but if you are looking for more bang for your buck then you can probably use the US2200 or other similar batteries that you can find cheaper than the Trojan.

Costco has the Interstate US2200 for $79+ $9 core right now.

Steve B.

[mholubec]

The company i work for sells Exide Bateries, unfortunatley we are 45 miles inland so i dont get a lot of calls for Batteries for SAilboats but From what our rep had told me is for sailboats USE Sealed DEEP CYCLE Batteries for the sailboats. I understand that the are Coast Guard Regulations regarding normal Wet cell battery but in the Carribean and South American the Golf Cart Battery is very popular since its so easy to get. and is probaly the least expensive of the choices the it just goes up its kinda the old addage you get what you pay for. But there are issues with wet batteries and fumes and possible spills.The one recommend is the Sealed i am not an expert to say the least b ut i can find answers i am attaching some links if you would like to check them out and get a little education.

Golf Cart Exide Technologies FAQs - Golf Car Batteries
Marine Deep Cyle Exide Technologies FAQs - Marine & RV Batteries
i guess

feel free to drop me a note if i can get specific answers not covered in the links.

Exide Technologies FAQs - Marine & RV Batteries

[mobetah]

Freerider,

I just bought 8 Trojan T-105s from a local golf cart dealer (in rural Alabama) for $82.50 each. I also paid a $20.00 per battery deposit which was returned after I brought the original batteries in to the dealer (lead must be very expensive now!).

If you decide to order Trojan T-205s, make sure that you specify what type of terminal you want ........ Trojan offers a varity!

Good Luck, Bill A.

[lorenzo b]

Sam's club sells 6v golfcarts for about $80 with a $9 core charge

[GordMay]

I believe that the Parallel connection shown on the “DC Battery” FAQ* page is sub-optimal.
* Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - DC Battery Specialists

Such connections are probably miss-drawn this way, because it's easy drafting, and results in a simplified line drawing.

Load Distribution Cables should be connected to different batteries at opposite ends, or the middle of the combined bank.

In the DC Battery diagram; if the Positive cable comes from the lower left battery, then the Negative cable should come from the upper right battery.

When wiring more than 2 or 3 batteries in parallel, or when wiring more than 2 series strings in parallel, I recommend that they each be individually cabled to a common positive and a common negative terminal block, thence (thru’ fuse) to Distribution Panel & Charging Input(s).

Goto ➥ SmartGauge Electronics - Interconnecting multiple batteries to form one larger bank

[DC Battery]

[QUOTE=GordMay;290922]

Such connections are probably miss-drawn this way, because it's easy drafting, and results in a simplified line drawing.


GordMay, You are right, the reason why we drew them like that is because it seemed like the simplest way for people to understand the concept of connecting the batteries.

[gonesail]

speaking of exides .. I have 4 of them. my main complaint is that they don't have any kind of lifting handles on them. not good.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by DC Battery

... the reason why we drew them like that is because it seemed like the simplest way for people to understand the concept of connecting the batteries.

Unfortunately, most people don't view the drawing as merely schematic, and actually wire them to the "gospel" pictured.
Sorry to scold on, but it's one of my (many) pet peeves.

[Sailabel]

I'd be interested in knowing how the Costco batteries and others last in long term cruising. When we purchased our last batteries, several folks were trying out the Costco ones... but I've yet to hear about their durability. Because replacement could be more of a challenge while cruising, we opted with the proven Trojan batteries, but we went with the T-125's. Same case size as the 105's, but with a few more amp-hours capacity. We also found that Trojan sells 'blems' (batteries with blemished cases) at a reduced price, through their distributors. The only caution I've heard is that they may not be as 'fresh' as the unblemished batteries. Ours have been just fine.

The other bit of advice I'd have, is if you have two battery banks (and the 1-2-both switch, is to wire one large house bank and install a separate engine starting battery.

Regards.
Steve

[conachair]

Originally Posted by IslandHops

going locally with T-105's for $189 each (x4) for Island Hops

the budget marine website has them for $150
Budget Marine - Product

Can anyone confirm that´s the price in Trinidad?

Ta

[DC Battery]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Costco has the Interstate US2200 for $79+ $9 core right now.

Steve B.

I don't know what exactly Costco is selling but I meant the US2200 XC manufactured by US Battery. sorry for the confusion

[Freerider]

Originally Posted by mobetah

If you decide to order Trojan T-205s, make sure that you specify what type of terminal you want ........ Trojan offers a varity!

What terminal would you suggest for a house bank?

I found some (T-105) for $119CAN close to home and these are my options for terminals:

Terminal - LT, AP, LPT, APW, UT

Riverside Energy Systems

[anotherT34C]

I'm sure I'm missing something, but doesn't plain-old Sears DieHard marine deep cycle clock in at about $1 an amp-hour?

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by anotherT34C

I'm sure I'm missing something, but doesn't plain-old Sears DieHard marine deep cycle clock in at about $1 an amp-hour?

Two things, actually:

1. no way can you compare a Sears DieHard with a T-105; and
2. the cost comparison was intended to be with AGMs, gels, the "new technology AGMs", and the like...not with flooded batteries.

Bill