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Old 08-18-2016, 01:48 PM   #1
jmevans_2
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Default Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

I am looking for some actual results people have from their batteries to help me make the decision on what batteries to buy. Please don't say "Trojan because they are the best" because that doesn't answer the question. I want to know how long you have had them and how they are holding up. I also want to know about bad experiences with certain batteries. If you have had a bad experience, were the batteries well maintained?

Thanks in advance!
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Old 08-18-2016, 02:16 PM   #2
rabbitreborn
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

Trojan, US batteries, Crown are the best available..... I personally have used both the Trojan and US. Crown seems to be more prevalent on the West Coast, but there are dealers out east as well.

Typically any of the other brands are going to last anywhere from 1-3 years and leave you stranded long before you should expect to have to replace them even with excellent care.

In my own carts I use Trojan only and I average 5-6 years on every set. I keep them charged and cleaned, but I don't follow the theory of distilled water only. From a customer standpoint, I rarely see a customer that does basic maintenance on their batteries have any issues getting a minimum of 5 years out of their batteries and I have had several that have gotten anywhere from 7-9 years out of a set of Trojan batteries.

I believe JohnnieB has a battery comparison that he does and I am sure he would be happy to point it out to you when he comes along and reads this.
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:16 PM   #3
Hecky50
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

I had NAPA's in my 2008 Precedent that I bought used in 2011. It was my first cart and followed all the rules of battery care. They lasted till March of this year. One day I had no power in one battery and that is all she wrote. I went with T-875, King of carts in Ridgeland had the best price. So far so good!!
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:18 PM   #4
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

I'll add Deka and Exide to the list of the best. Of those five brands, there are more differences between the different grades within the same brand than there is differences between the same grade in the different brands.

Unfortunately, there are so many variables that affect how long batteries last that one person's good/bad experience with a specific make/model battery or how long they lasted, are not a valid yardsticks for estimating what another person's experience with same make/model battery will be.

For example, perfectly maintained batteries that last 8 years in Minot, North Dakota may only last 2 years in Gila Bend, Arizona and will probably last somewhere in between those two time spans in Alabama. (Batteries last longer in cooler climates.)

Also, a premium (higher AH) grade battery will last longer than a standard grade battery, but may sell for a disproportionately higher price, so the best bang for the buck may not be the battery that lasts the longest.

In addition, batteries are heavy, so shipping cost affect local pricing and the best bang for the buck is typically the highest AH you can get for the lowest cost from a local vendor.

If you give me the AH and price of the batteries you are considering, I can calculate the cost/month.

-----------
In contrast the rabbitreborn's excellent lifespan from Trojan batteries, my cart came off a 3 year lease at a golf course outside Phoenix, AZ and had a matching set of 18 month old T-105 batteries in it that would only take a 85% SoC charge. I don't know for sure, but the dates imply that they were the second set of batteries and the first set had only lasted 18 months.
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Old 08-19-2016, 07:48 AM   #5
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnieB View Post
I'll add Deka and Exide to the list of the best.
-----------
In contrast the rabbitreborn's excellent lifespan from Trojan batteries, my cart came off a 3 year lease at a golf course outside Phoenix, AZ and had a matching set of 18 month old T-105 batteries in it that would only take a 85% SoC charge. I don't know for sure, but the dates imply that they were the second set of batteries and the first set had only lasted 18 months.
2 quick comments Johnnie:

I personally have had issues here in Florida with Deka batteries not lasting much beyond 3 years unless extreme care is taken with them which is why I didn't add them to my list. Could be environmental causes as you stated later in your post.

Second thing, when it comes to batteries coming off a golf course, I always assume the worst possible treatment. Lack of proper watering practices and extreme abuse are rampant on most courses. They hire cart people for minimal money and they typically don't follow proper procedures. I know of 3 courses near me that don't have large enough fleets and run the carts for 3 rounds of golf a day. When I was in class for batteries, the 1 thing that stuck in my head was the charge cycle issue. They explained that a single round of golf was an average of 6 miles and that 1 round was equal to 1 charge cycle. 2 rounds however because of the depth of discharge was equal to 3 charge cycles and 3 round in a day was the equivalent of 5-7 charge cycles. Most courses are ready for a new set of batteries in their fleet between 2 and 2 1/2 years into their lease because of the depth of discharge issues.
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Old 08-19-2016, 09:17 AM   #6
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

Rabbitreborn,
About 12 years ago I was a cart boy. We knew nothing of battery maintenance except randomly selecting carts out of the 60 in our fleet to check and fill water. We did let carts run 2 or 3 rounds before putting them on charge in the barn. We had some carts that were slow and just left them in the corner on charge. Yes we were minimum wage high school/ community college kids with zero supervision. I don't remember what kind of batteries where in them but they were club carts.

Anyways, thanks for the replies. I plan to take excellent care of my batteries.

Currently I have got quotes (Ah are at 20 hr rate):
- Battery Source (who claims their brand batteries are made to the trojan spec so I assume 225Ah)| $84.99 each
- Crown CR205 (205Ah)| $84.95 each
- Trojan T105 (225Ah)| $110.95 each
- Duracell GC2 (215 Ah)| $84.52 each
- Duracell EGC2 (230Ah)| $112.68 each

I am leaning toward Trojan just because the price difference isn't that bad. I am looking for longevity in batteries.



I haven't been able to find any Deka or Excide batteries in my town. Thanks for the contrasting experience with Trojans.


O'Reilly's bought our Napa store so I lose that option unless I want to drive. O'Reilly's tried to sell me some Super Start battery for $124 each..... I will pass on that one. Lol
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Old 08-19-2016, 10:14 AM   #7
rabbitreborn
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

jmevans, please don't think I was knocking Cartboys/Cartgirls. I truly don't think it is their fault. The point I was making was that most of them are hired for minimum wage and given almost no training. around here, we have either high school/college kids or retired senior citizens looking for free golf managing quarter million dollar fleets of golf carts with the only instruction being, check the water every now and then...... Pitiful. In my opinion, EZGO and Club Car would be better off if they took an active role and did fleet maintenance courses at these clubs when delivering new fleets to them. Granted the high turnover rate at most courses would still need to be addressed but it would at least be a start......
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Old 08-19-2016, 10:27 AM   #8
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

i got my batteries from carquest(now advance auto) and they are deca/east penn....i have had a great experience with this battery so far....i take excellent care and am hoping for 6-8 years-we will see....

part#G110-12 @75A 120

these batteries regularly read after 12-24hrs after charge,39.1v-39.3v.....i think they were in the $80ish range with my corporate discount....
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Old 08-19-2016, 10:50 AM   #9
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmevans_2 View Post
Currently I have got quotes (Ah are at 20 hr rate):
- Battery Source (who claims their brand batteries are made to the trojan spec so I assume 225Ah)| $84.99 each
- Crown CR205 (205Ah)| $84.95 each
- Trojan T105 (225Ah)| $110.95 each
- Duracell GC2 (215 Ah)| $84.52 each
- Duracell EGC2 (230Ah)| $112.68 each

I am leaning toward Trojan just because the price difference isn't that bad. I am looking for longevity in batteries.



I haven't been able to find any Deka or Excide batteries in my town. Thanks for the contrasting experience with Trojans.


O'Reilly's bought our Napa store so I lose that option unless I want to drive. O'Reilly's tried to sell me some Super Start battery for $124 each..... I will pass on that one. Lol
I suspect the house labeled "Trojan" battery at the Battery Source is the "Black Box" economy grade which is roughly equal to a T-605 (210AH).

The Super Start battery at O reilly's is made East Penn (Deka)

FWIW: Rural King is a Exide vendor, as are other farm and tractor supply stores. I special ordered my Exide batteries through the local Rural King.


Attached is a list of the batteries your are considering. Lowest annual cost is at the top.

The lifespan listed is based the respective batteries having 67.5 AH discharged from them daily, which takes a T-105 down to 70% SoC.

Batteries with less than 225AH are discharged further when 67.5AH are removed, so they don't live as long, but the ones being considered don't cost as much initially, so their annual cost is less.

Will an economy grade battery work for your application, or do you want the range of a standard (stock) battery pack (225AH)?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Battery comp.jpg (142.6 KB, 0 views)
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Old 08-19-2016, 10:50 AM   #10
MrDiode
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Default Re: Buying New Batteries - Looking for battery reviews

if you have a batteries plus, their general coupons work on GC batteries, e.g.:

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc115

these replaced the trojans in my cart. higher AH for less $$ and just as good a warranty (i believe they are deka-made)
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