Duralast 6V Golf Cart Batteries

Wheels65

It has come time to replace the batteries in our 36v 1998 ezgo. I live in western Kansas where it is difficult to find specialized items like this. Basically my choices are Napa, the duralasts listed above or Trojans. I realized that the Trojans are my best option but they are ridiculously priced out here, over $150 per. I can get the duralasts for $109 but haven't found a whole lot of info on them. Searched for duralast and only 8 results. Anyone had any experience with these? What about longevity? I just can't believe that the Trojans are worth $250 more than other types of batteries.

BGW

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lithoman

I got my trojans t-105 for 84.00ea. Did you call a local trojan dealer?

yurtle

Find out the amp-hours and weights for each battery, to be sure you're comparing apples to apples.

yurtle

Also, you may want to check around other towns. For that much money, it may be worth it to drive a bit.

Bowslayer

I wish I could find some for that price around here. Cheapest I have found is $110 ea.

yurtle

I paid $105 for eight T-105s. They seem to vary a lot from one place to another.

Wheels65

That is the driving price, I would have to go over a hundred miles one way to get to another dealer.
Here is some info that a guy posted on this site about the duralast
474min at 25a
122 min at 75a
He said he got this from an autozone sales rep.
The numbers are comparable to Trojans but I just do not have any experience with anything other than Trojan and Napa brand batteries. The Trojans in my cart now are 8 years old and starting to fade. Had Napa brand in different cart and they weren't anything special and are $20 per batt higher than the Duralasts.
I also realize you get what you pay for, but I can almost buy two sets of duralasts for the price of 1 set of Trojans. I have also heard that Trojans aren't as good as they once were and with that they are way overpriced in my part of the country. Any thoughts?

JohnnieB

The three specs that are typically used for comparisons are:
Weight
Amp Hours at the 20 hour rate.
Minutes at 75A

Here is a little something I put together listing those threes specs on various Flooded Deep Cycle Lead-Acid 6V batteries. (I didn't look at Duralast at the time)

Please note that each brand listed has more than one grade, so be careful and find out exactly what you are buying so you won't be angry when you discover the bargain wasn't a really bargain after all.

A 225AH battery is the typical stock battery installed in a 36V carts by manufacturers.

Attached Files

Battery Comparisons.pdf (22.7 KB, 0 views)

Wheels65

JohnnieB-
Thanks for the reply, i just used it. I got a hold of a different dealer. They have the US Battery 2200 series for $115 per. I asked them about Trojans and they said they went away from them because they were having to warranty a bunch of them the last couple years. The ratings on the US Battery's are comparable to the T-105's so I went with those instead of their other option the Deka GC15's. Also thinking about going to 4 gauge cables if I can find some. Will they drain the batteries faster with the larger cables or just make the connection to the motor more efficient? With this do I need to replace any other cables or wire's? The cart doesn't need to be a screamer just want to have the juice to drag a couple large guys around the course all day. Thanks

JohnnieB

1. You can get cables from most of the Site Sponsors, but I'm old school and prefer silver soldered closed end lugs, so I got my 2Ga cables here.
http://www.cartsunlimited.net/Batter..._Upgrades.html
Disclaimer: I have no vested interest in Carts Unlimited, just a very satisfied customer.

2. Run-time is mostly determined by how many Amps the controller will pass, how hilly the terrain you drive on, how much mechanical drag the cart has and how heavy you foot is.
Bigger cables make the drive system more efficient and might even increase run-time if original cables are really small or really bad.

3. Maybe.
In addition to replacing all the high current cables (10 on a DCS cart and 13 or 14 on a Series) you might want to consider upgrading the solenoid and the F/R switch also if it is a Series cart)
With a stock controller it isn't an absolute need, but they do become the weak links in the chain when the batteries and the cables are replaced.

4. If you let them sit on the cart instead of dragging them, the run-time would probably be longer.
With new batteries and cables, it should do ok.

Be sure to fully charge your new batteries before first use and then break them in proper to get maximum storage capacity. (New batteries are only about 75% of max until they are matured)
Also, keep them as fully charged as possible or practical for maximum life expectancy.

Here is how to break them in:
http://www.cartsunlimited.net/Batter...n_Methods.html
While your there, read everything with the word "Battery" in title.

Gland my little comparison came in handy for you.