Recommendation for Deep Cycle Batteries

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And patient. This might be the third time I have seen him take the time to outline that over the years, especially with the old site down. Nice Endurance.

TR
 
Endurance, What is your thought of "old stock" "2014" Trojan 24 AGM, 75 AH @ 20 hours for $50.00@. They load out at about 760 CCA. There is a place in Denver that I can get them. I have been using them for the trolling motors in both my boats. Sq
 
Squirrel said:
Endurance, What is your thought of "old stock" "2014" Trojan 24 AGM, 75 AH @ 20 hours for $50.00@. They load out at about 760 CCA. There is a place in Denver that I can get them. I have been using them for the trolling motors in both my boats. Sq
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This sounds like a good deal if the place selling them has taken care of them in the three or so years they have had them. When you buy storage batteries like these, you are just buying a certain number of charge/discharge cycles. Within reason, the more shallow the discharge of these cycles, the more of the cycles you get. Batteries that have been sitting at a supplier go through few charge/discharge cycles so don't use up much of their life.

There are two exceptions to this, however, and that is why you will ask about their care. One of the exceptions would be if the battery supplier let the batteries get to a dangerously low state of charge. Lead acid batteries self-discharge at a rate of between 2% and 8% per month, depending on temperature. If you do the math, you can see that those percentages could take a battery to dangerously-low levels over 36 months. That they test out with decent cold cranking amps is a good sign. Still, I would feel better if the seller put them on a trickle charge every few months over the past three years.

The other exception to just buying a number of charge/discharge cycles would be if the batteries ever got dry. My guess is that you would be fine if the batteries were at cool temperatures and not being charged or discharged other than modest self-discharge and trickle charges to recover from self-discharge. The batteries would use very little water during that time. Still, sitting in a hot warehouse could cause some evaporation, so it would give me a good feeling if the seller told me that they had kept an eye on the electrolyte levels.

Assuming these are wet batteries and the seller has the ability to do it, I would want them to equalize the batteries. Equalization is a controlled overcharge that you can do once in a while. As the name implies, it helps to equalize the cells within each battery. After sitting for three years, these batteries would be due for an equalization.

This is one of those times when you are better off dealing with a reputable battery supplier rather than a big box store. While Sam's and Costco do a great job with mass-marketed merchandise that turns over quickly, I wouldn't count on them to maintain batteries over a long holding period or know how to run an equalization charge. Even though Powell Bride will do well for her needs at the big box stores, I wouldn't buy old stock batteries from someone unless I knew they had the wherewithal to have taken care of them.
 
Thanks for your reply. These are AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries and require no maintenance. They are stored in his warehouse/business that sells thousands of batteries per year. They are about $230.00 new on AMAZON. Sq
 
If they're AGM, that's an even better deal. They certainly didn't run dry since, as you say, they don't need any water. At $50 each, you're doing well!
 
I almost forgot. You probably know this, but you never ever equalize AGM or gel batteries. One equalization will ruin the sealed batteries.
 
Like I said, I have been happy with them since they are on their 2nd season. I am going tomorrow to get a couple more tomorrow for the camper. Thanks Sq
 
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