Exide battery rebate

[David Handley]

If you need to replace your coach batteries, you can get a rebate on Exide Stowaway deep cycle batteries if they are purchased at Academy.  Looks like a pretty good savings--here's the link: http://content.academy.com/rebates/136747_Exide%20Academy%20Consumer%20Rebate.pdf

[Gerald Farris]

David,
The only batteries that I could find that Academy sells as a deep cycle are actually a dual purpose 12 volt Marine battery. These batteries are not true deep cycle batteries, and they will not last near as long as a 6 volt golf cart battery when used as house batteries.

The best deal that I have found for a 6 volt golf cart battery at the current time is the 210 AH Interstate ones at Costco for $83 each.

Gerald

[Dennis Belfils]

Just picked up 4 Interstates from Costco in Salem, OR. Did the POR 15 on the tray, as it was a big mess with corrosion & rust. Looks great & the price was good.

[David Handley]

So, Gerald, I haven't bought these yet--was going to do that tomorrow during Texas' Tax Free Weekend!  I looked for the Exide Stowaways because they were on the coach when I purchased it.  Tell me about the advantages of replacing with the 6-volt batteries.

[Gerald Farris]

David,
The 6 volt golf cart batteries will probably last twice as long as the dual purpose batteries that you referred to when used as house batteries. The lead plates in a golf cart battery are solid lead vs a lead sponge type plate in the battery that you are referring to. An indicator of this will be noticed if you compare the weight difference between the two batteries. True starting batteries have even a more porous sponge type plates than the dual purpose batteries. The sponge type plates have more surface area and will supply a higher amperage surge for starting purposes, but they will deteriorate with repeated discharge and recharge cycles much faster than a solid lead plate. A starting battery that is completely discharged and recharged 3 or 4 times will usually deteriorate to a level to make it unusable. 

However, if you have 12 volt house batteries now, you will have to rewire your house battery bank to use 6 volt batteries. The 6 volt batteries will have to be wired in a series to produce 12 volts and then in parallel to produce 12 volts from four 6 volt batteries.

Gerald     

[David Handley]

Thanks Gerald--great information.  I never suspected there was such a difference.  Make the BAC price of admission worth the money!