2oldman
Winchester WA
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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landyacht318 wrote:Buy the product designed for the task... .This "Beating the system" mentality leads to no good.....
Couldn't agree more.
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bryanl
Reno, NV
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Joined: 12/25/2003
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Quote:In looking at Costco's battery warranties, there is a vast difference between the coverage of a normal automotive battery (really good) vs that of the other types (not so good).
This is telling you something about batteries in general.
Automotive use is well defined. That makes battery failure predictable within a reasonable degree of certainty. That shows in the warranty.
Other battery use, like for RV's, is very poorly defined and how they get used and abused is all over the map. That makes battery failure unpredictable and, again, that shows in the warranties.
This, and other information like battery specifications, tells you that all of these batteries are more the same than they are different. It also tells you that you can get best service satisfaction from your batteries if you put your attention into proper care and use. That is why all the 6v, true deep cycle, golf cart, and other such claptrap you see in these forums is of very little practical use.
As for 'beating the system' - read the warranty terms. They will often specify the conditions for which the warranty is intended. Claiming warranty when you have not done your part of the deal is fraud.
Bryan
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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The difference between the batteries is this:
Starting batteries are designed to release a whole lot of current very quickly, but not to be discharged very far.. They like to be "Near full".
Marine/Deep cycle, and in fact this applies to the "Deep cycle" you posted as well, are really starting batteires, they are SLIGHTLY better at discharge. But not enough to really matter.
Most Golf Car type Deep Cycle can be taken down safely to 50 percent without a major reduction in life.. Trojan says several cycles can be as low as 30 percent state of charge on their batteiers.. I've taken my interstated down to "Downright embarassed" levels more times than I care to admit and they still pass muster. Every time I've taken a starting battery that low.. IT was toast.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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nylyon
Putnam County, NY
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Joined: 06/01/2005
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smkettner wrote:AUTOMOTIVE, 100% free in three years does not mean Costco hands you a new battery. You get full refund at the original price paid including tax. Then you buy a new battery at current price and of course start a new warranty period.
I recently had to replace my 2 Costco batteries in my diesel truck. The battery return was handled like any other return and I was given a store card for the price paid for the batteries. I brought 2 new batteries to the checkout and the cost was about $10 more than the originals BUT they did a price adjustment to the original price so I ended up paying nothing. It's possible that a bad alternator killed my batteries, I only got 2 years out of them which is a little disappointing.
Karl, Liz, 3-kids and Stout the wonder dog
2011 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 30.5 BHLT
2003 F-250 FX4 6.0 Powerstroke
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mena661
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2009
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landyacht318 wrote:We all want the best bang for the buck.
Damn good post!
2009 Newmar Canyon Star 3205, Ford F53 V10
Trojan L16 6V's 740 Amp-hours
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Animal Planet
St. Croix River Valley
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Joined: 06/27/2007
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For $83.49 Costco's "Signature" Starting/Deep Cycle Marine - RV battery is rated as a MCA (Marine Cranking Amps) of 750 with a reserve capacity of 160.
For $67.79, I can get a "Signature" MCA of 700 amps with Reserve Capacity of 140.
Does the Reserve Capacity or the MCA suggest that one battery will last longer (dry camping) than another?
We'll be turning on the generator during the day, but at night, it will be just this battery.
Should I just spend the extra $16 for the "bigger" battery?
Also, the $67.79 battery "Fit Code #13" vs. the $83.49 battery being a "Fit Code #14". Is that fit code literally the physical battery size?
Thanks!
2007 Dodge 6.7L Mega Cab CTD
2010 Open Range RT303BHS
Equalizer Hitch
Honda EU3000
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mena661
Southern California
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pianotuna wrote:Hi Animal Planet,
Cranking amps are not a good indicator for house batteries. Look for reserve capacity in minutes or amp-hours at the 20 hour rate. X2
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi Animal Planet,
Cranking amps are not a good indicator for house batteries. Look for reserve capacity in minutes or amp-hours at the 20 hour rate.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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nylyon wrote:smkettner wrote:AUTOMOTIVE, 100% free in three years does not mean Costco hands you a new battery. You get full refund at the original price paid including tax. Then you buy a new battery at current price and of course start a new warranty period.
I recently had to replace my 2 Costco batteries in my diesel truck. The battery return was handled like any other return and I was given a store card for the price paid for the batteries. I brought 2 new batteries to the checkout and the cost was about $10 more than the originals BUT they did a price adjustment to the original price so I ended up paying nothing. It's possible that a bad alternator killed my batteries, I only got 2 years out of them which is a little disappointing.
You might be right. I was on the road and did not want to turn the truck off until I knew I had a battery in hand so I bought the battery first. Then after the swap I took the old battery in for adjustment. I suppose I did the exchange backward. I was given cash refund.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675 watts solar
Send a PM if I missed something
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Animal Planet wrote:Also, the $67.79 battery "Fit Code #13" vs. the $83.49 battery being a "Fit Code #14". Is that fit code literally the physical battery size?
Thanks! Yes I believe so. Many trucks have an optional larger capacity battery that is physically bigger. Get the big one IMO.
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