Costco Batteries

[Spinonedad]

Would like recommendations on Costco batteries
Group 24 interstate $89. RV/Marine
Group 24 AGM interstate. $169

Has anyone had any experience with these batteries ?
Prices seem pretty good

Think AGM is worth twice the price ?

[n2916s]

AGM’s real advantage is that you can have them in your living space as they do not (normally) outgas. So folks with larger battery banks often go that route. They also don’t require any routine maintenance. Your standard issue wet-cells need to be checked periodically for fluid level and distilled water added as necessary This is especially true if you have the old style single stage converter.

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by n2916s

AGM’s real advantage is that you can have them in your living space as they do not (normally) outgas. So folks with larger battery banks often go that route. They also don’t require any routine maintenance. Your standard issue wet-cells need to be checked periodically for fluid level and distilled water added as necessary This is especially true if you have the old style single stage converter.

I believe that an AGM selling point is that they are not as damaged from a deep discharge as wet cell batteries are. At least that is what they pitch for car starting batteries.

[samb]

I got 7 years of good service from a set of group 24 interstates before they needed replacement.
Sam

[BayouBiker]

As you indicate, Most AGMs will accept more frequent and slightly deeper cycles to (35-40% rather than 50%) and maintain the same calendar life. They will have a longer life for the same 50% cycle. I consider the biggest advantage in addition to those already mentioned, is they will accept a continual maintenance (trickle) charge without water loss so if you have a solar charger or you keep it on shore power, there is no water level to check.

Like wet cells, AGMs don't care for complete discharges so resting voltages below 11.8 should be avoided at all reasonable cost. Note that batteries experience voltage loss with loads, 0.2 or so with a few amps, 0.5 at about 10 amps and 2.5 or more at about 100 amps so don't panic about voltage with loads.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Amortized over 11 Seasons my two Lifelines cost $56.00/yr.🤔
Go with quality.
(and still doing B/U duty for the basement sump pump)👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[TG Twinkie]

Bob;
Are you saying you spent over $600 each for your batteries? Or is that cost for multiple batteries?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Bob;
Are you saying you spent over $600 each for your batteries? Or is that cost for multiple batteries?

"Amortized over 11 Seasons my TWO Lifelines cost $56.00/yr.🤔
Go with quality.
(and still doing B/U duty for the basement sump pump)👍"

Bob
🇺🇸

[lsbrodsky]

To the OP, wet cell batteries are made by a very small number of manufacturers and sold under a bunch of different labels. I do not think it matters what brand you buy.
However, I completely agree with the AGM supporters. There is no reason to spend the kind of money it takes to buy an Airstream and then employ a false economy with wet cells. Most people do not know how to care for wet cells or just don't do it. Buy the AGM's.
Larry

[moosetags]

We have always used the Interstate Group 24 batteries in our Airstreams. We have found that they last about five years before they start to lose their charge more rapidly. As soon as we notice this decrease in performance, we replace the batteries.

Last year Lucy was laid up with a hitch problem in Billings, Montana, on her way to Alaska. While we were there, Lucy's OEM Interstate batteries started to show signs of decreased performance. She was right at five years old. There was a Costco right up the road. We got her a pair of new Interstates before continuing to Alaska.

Brian

[prairieschooner]

Agm