... talk about areas of battery performance that of course Lifeline doesn't "spec", or even get into in their product literature or claims.
I'll keep an eye on Firefly and go with it when I replace - any day over any other AGM - if the Group 31 offerings from Firefly's producer (Northstar) live up to what these documents imply regarding cycle-life performance, temperature performance, vibration resistance, sulfation reduction, and power-to-weight ratios.
If all goes well, these batteries should kindof be the "next generation" after Lifeline in dry lead-acid battery performance.
pnichols wrote: "The actual specs on that firefly battery are no better than lifeline."
Depends on what you mean by "specs".
I am talking about amp hours. 100 amp hrs at 10 hr rate. Most batteries will list the standard 20 hr rate that should be a bit better. Lifeline is 105 ah.
On theb plate thickness and construction being the same, I don't believe that. Speaking both to Trojan and USBattery, they claim that the plates are both thicker and more dense in the series they call golf-cart, and they are the suggested long life battery to get. The gentleman at US told me they have a thick plate 12v battery that I could use instead o the 2- 6v 2200 series ( 105 size) but that battery is another 50% more cost, I believe because of demand/ production. So it was either 200$ for 235 Ah using 2-6v to get there, or $300 for 235 Ah, same overall weight, bigger footprint on the 12v pair, but shorter.
To the gentleman from Reno, would a cutaway, or statement from both trojan and US battery convince you the golfcart battery has different plate construction than a deep cycle battery, like the walmart marine batteries? I think I follow your questioning/ doubting there is any difference, but either I was lied to by both companies, who do want happy & future customers with word of mouth endorsments, and I doubt they would lie in unison about the fabrication material?????
I guess I agree with the show-me, but I believe 80% or more they are correct in saying the golfcart batteries are the ones I will be happiest with, last longer, and are designed better for true RV use. The field salesman of Trojan in my area said his feedback/ returns tell him I would be happiest with the 6v system, and again I trust his opinion, more than an RV or Car salesmans...LOL
Quote: build them to handle a wide load range and thick enough plates to take many dod's
Quote: On theb plate thickness and construction being the same, I don't believe that.
Interesting to see the strong hold on this concept (note I didn't intend "same" but rather 'not different in any significant way for RV use purposes').
I have seen one person in these threads mention the idea of visiting a boneyard to see battery parts and another who works at a major retailer who noted that Trojan has eased off bragging about plate thickness. If you do a web search you'll find a whole lot of patents mixed in with research papers and a few 'how its made' pages - some even have pictures.
Besides the 'look for yourself' think about the real issue. What is this stuff about 'plate thickness' supposed to get you? Can you actually find it supported by measure? If it was measurable, why have the vague words about plate thickness, why not the pertinent measure itself?
This is along the same vein as the 'golf cart' and 'deep cycle' sloganeering: No definition, no measure, used as convenient to make a sale or hang onto a predisposition. To me, this is one keys that suggests caution and skepticism. If someone can't define what they are really talking about it often indicates that there are problems in the conclusions based on that talking.
Go look at Trojan's brochures. In one they refer to the T105 as a "deep cycle" and in another as an "RV/Marine". Obviously Trojan doesn't see the distinction that some seem to be trying to make in these discussions.
My guess is that the talk about plate thickness is seen as having something to do with battery life. Besides the lack of specifications about this, consider the complications and contributing factors. Consider why you can get an SLI battery with a warranty for 7 years while warranties for RV service are nowhere near that long. Is that saying something about the predictability of the use profile or is it saying that SLI batteries have "thick plates"? What does that mean in this context? What is it that usually determines a battery's life in RV service?
Rather than seek to support what you believe, why not seek out questions that test that belief and move it into a more solid realm for earthly decisions?
"Besides the 'look for yourself' think about the real issue. What is this stuff about 'plate thickness' supposed to get you? Can you actually find it supported by measure? If it was measurable, why have the vague words about plate thickness, why not the pertinent measure itself? "
Maybe because even if they gave you a feel-good measurment ( ie 1/4" thick...) YOU still would not believe it. So, what good, for someone like you, would it be if they DID give the plate sizes.... NOTHING.
"To me, this is one keys that suggests caution and skepticism"
I suspect skepticism is your middle name...lol
"Consider why you can get an SLI battery with a warranty for 7 years while warranties for RV service are nowhere near that long."
I googled SLI, and the references I found state SLI is NOT INTENDED FOR DEEP CYCLE USE, AS IN AN RV APPLIUCATION. So, why did you mention it?...LOL
"Rather than seek to support what you believe, why not seek out questions that test that belief and move it into a more solid realm for earthly decisions? "
I get it, you are a semantics major. SEEK OUT QUESTIONS????/
Ya, I'll do that
To the original poster, how is that for an earfull...lol
All I can say after the above diatribe suggesting we research rather than believe what the masses say..
Again, using logical assumptions, feedback, trust in 2 manufacturers, and a LOT of good RV users feedback, go with either a true 2x6v golfcart battery, or maybe that expensive golf-cart component one trojan has that is 12v... but don't waste valuable time cutting apart batteries, enough good people here have used these golfcart batteries for 5+ years successfully, they are better informed than any of us chickens....
To the original poster, how is that for an earfull...lol
All I can say after the above diatribe suggesting we research rather than believe what the masses say..
Again, using logical assumptions, feedback, trust in 2 manufacturers, and a LOT of good RV users feedback, go with either a true 2x6v golfcart battery, or maybe that expensive golf-cart component one trojan has that is 12v... but don't waste valuable time cutting apart batteries, enough good people here have used these golfcart batteries for 5+ years successfully, they are better informed than any of us chickens....
Good luck
Allen
Well I am the original poster and it has been an earful. A page or so ago I said I had to go with 2-6V cause 2-12V was to big and I would have to mount them on top of my frame rails then my W/D clamps would not fit.
A have another question or another can of worms should I say..LOL
After every trip I remove the batteries and store them in my garage, cause my trailer sits at a storage where they can be easily stolen, I always charge with a trickle charger before I go out again but my charger is 12V so when I take them out can I hook them back together and charge them with the 12V charger?
I always charge with a trickle charger before I go out again but my charger is 12V so when I take them out can I hook them back together and charge them with the 12V charger?
Why not?
pkunk wrote: I always charge with a trickle charger before I go out again but my charger is 12V so when I take them out can I hook them back together and charge them with the 12V charger?
Why not?
Yes, you can reconnect them in series and use a 12V charger for maintenance charge.
Yes, I did that before I installed my 2 new Energizer GC2 6V golf cart batteries from Sam's Club ($67). I made up a piece of 6 gauge wire and it works great. Its 1 big 12V battery when you do that, and you treat it as such with the various chargers.
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