Need Battery Advice

OBeer-WAN-Kenobi

Hi all,

I'd like a little advice on which batteries to choose for my 48v project. I was looking at Trojan T105's but there are no dealers in my area and I currently have U.S. batteries in my other cart without issue.

I understand that Interstate used to use U.S. batteries for their 6v and 8v but when I called the dealer they said they have stopped and now make their own. The pricing I was quoted was $99.95 (with core) for 232AH (coincidently the same as a U.S. Battery 2200 XC)

I called a U.S. Battery dealer who is a little further away andd was quoted $98.38 for the 2200 XC.

If these really are the same battery and of the same quality I'd much rather not pay for diesel to go the extra 40 miles.

Otherwise, any other recommendations for batteries would be great. I've looked at the farm and fleet batteries but have heard they are pretty cheap (in a bad way) and can't find an AH rating. My current non-project cart has 283AH so I'm a bit spoiled I suppose....

BGW

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scottyb

I think the US2200 is a 220 ah battery.

OBeer-WAN-Kenobi

madoc1

do you have a sam's club anywhere near you? their interstates that i use were 210 amps and cost $67 each.

scottyb

That looks good. I never had any problems with US battery.
There are different ways to test AH and get different results.

OBeer-WAN-Kenobi

Was that with a core to return? That's my other issue, I don't have cores to trade in since my project carts aren't coming with batteries.

OBeer-WAN-Kenobi

Oh, and probably most importantly, can someone verify that the Interstate batteries that were quoted to me are really U.S. batteries? Then, I think, this may be a no-brainer.

dougmcp

Johnson Controls makes the Interstate batteries.
JC is the largest producer of private label lead acid batteries in North America for companies like Duralast, Costco, Sam's Club, Die Hard etc.
This is from the Interstate website: http://www.batteries-faq.com/activek...?questionid=51
Johnson Controls is not only the largest North American battery manufacturer, but they literally control the North American battery market.

OBeer-WAN-Kenobi

I know that MOST of them are made by Johnson Controls. However, I know that U.S. Battery used to make interstates golf cart batteries for sure. I just don't know if they STILL do.

Have a look at these two links.
US Battery
Interstate
And tell me they don't look like the same battery in slightly different colors.

I may be wrong but I'm nearly convinced at this point that they are still using the U.S. battery. Especially since the price for either one in my area is only $1.57 different.

ETA: I called interstate directly and confirmed with the customer service rep that they used to be U.S. Battery but doug is right, they are now made by Johnson Control as well.

What a dilema, I guess I should drive the extra 40 miles and get the U.S. Battery because I KNOW those are good and don't know anyone who's used the new interstates.

dougmcp

For what it's worth, I did a 48v conversion about 5 months ago and went to Sam's Club for mine.
I had 2004 Trojans that still tested well when I replaced them with the Sam's batteries.

My 6x6v 2500w inverter batteries in my boat are Sam's dated 2002 and test well. These batteries get pushed to 100amp discharge rate on a regular basis and have had a smart charger since day 1.

I'm still convinced that it's more maintenance than manufacturer that gives you good performance and longevity.

In the end I would buy whatever you are comfortable with.