BajaNomad - Trojan 105s vs. Costco

Trojan 105s vs. Costco

Doug/Vamonos - 8-17-2010 at 03:03 PM

Hi. Quick question. My four 105s are going dead. I'm either going to buy four new ones at $130 each plus tax or buy four Costco 6V golfcart batteries (Johnson Controls) for $79 plus tax. Anyone have experience with the Costco batteries? I don't think any batteries will last long in my situation (hot shed). Maybe the Costcos are not a bad deal at nearly half off the cost of the 105s? Thanks.

Pompano - 8-17-2010 at 03:16 PM

I would use either Trojan 105's or Powerstrides. I've used both since 1973 with good results. I recently installed 24 Trojan 105s and expect them to last for many years with proper maintenence.

Powerstrides are as good, but cheaper than Trojans for your usuage. Powerstride Battery, 3450 Kurst Street, San Diego.

Never used the Costco golfcart 6vs, so can't say. I've heard some negative comments, but again, I have no personal experience.

[Edited on 8-17-2010 by Pompano]

comitan - 8-17-2010 at 03:26 PM

My 6V costco Batteries lasted 2 years.

bajalou - 8-17-2010 at 03:27 PM

I Have about 5 years now on some I got at Sams Club. comparable to the ones at Costco in cost. Quite pleased with them.

Woooosh - 8-17-2010 at 04:23 PM

The last time I bought Trojans at CostCo the clerk wrote "Size XS" on the box.

Bob and Susan - 8-17-2010 at 05:23 PM

forget both of those...

you want trojan L-16's for solar power

don't "cheap out"

Pompano - 8-17-2010 at 05:51 PM

Naw..Trojan 105's are just fine for a large beach home like mine. Got more power than what I planned for on my newly revised....watts needed list.

Surround music, 18cft electric fridge, area lighting, 4 tvs, sat radio, Hughes Net internet, eliptical treadmill, hair dryers, hair curlers, vibrators, a jillion makeup lightslights, etc, etc, etc...

Russ - 8-17-2010 at 06:04 PM

Mostly good reports about Trojan & US batteries. I like the L-16's though. US batteries are cheaper than Trojans and appear to be equal in quality from the reports form Punta Chivato. Costco not very good. Here's US Battery site http://www.usbattery.com/usb_golf_p1.html

El Camote - 8-17-2010 at 07:37 PM

What's the current price on the US Batt. 2200? I've got one of those and one Costco comparable in the moho. 3 yrs. and seem to be doing fine. Although the coming shorter days of fall and winter will be the real test.

rocmoc - 8-17-2010 at 07:40 PM

Just bought 4 T-105s for my RV at $123.28 / battery at this site, http://www.hodgsoncorp.com/products/trojan.htm.

rocmoc n AZ/Baja

Donjulio - 8-17-2010 at 07:42 PM

Trojans and batteries. Shouldn't we be asking the women which is better?

Having carried US Battery Products....

Mexray - 8-17-2010 at 11:48 PM

for many years in my battery shop, I'll say their 6 volt GC deep cycle batteries are as good or better than any others on the market - and they've been making em' for around 50 years! They must be doing something right!

'Powerstride' branded batteries are made by US battery - 'Powerstride' is an independant network of US Batt's Calif dealers...

US Battery has and may still, Mfg. all the flooded cell batteries for Interstate Battery in the Southwest, for their consignment dealer network...

Trojan batteries for the most part, essentially have the same internal construction as US battery and others - however, US Battery claim to have their own proprietary alloy for the plates they use in the GC batteries - With this construction, USB currently rate their GC batt's @ 232 Amp Hours - years ago they were rated @ 220 AH's, so there may be some reality to these improvements...

I don't know who currently makes the GC batt's for Costco - but if it's The Exide brand, I'd check the specs and county of Mfg origin carefully before considering a purchase...

Trojan make a decent battery, but I think you'll find your money goes farther for the same size battery with a US battery purchase.... :rolleyes:

Ray

MsTerieus - 8-18-2010 at 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Donjulio
Trojans and batteries. Shouldn't we be asking the women which is better?

I wondered when that was coming.

Per another thread today, I gather that Catherine the Great would have preferred a Trojan horse. :lol:

BATTERY MANUFACTURERS AND BRAND NAMES LIST

landyacht318 - 8-18-2010 at 01:11 AM

The following link is not the easiest to decipher, but it list all the battery manufacturers, and marketers world wide. For instance it says US battery makes Interstate deep cycle batteries, but Johnson Control makes their starting batteries.

http://www.jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm#J

BOLARNR - 8-18-2010 at 06:34 AM

Cry only once and buy the AGMs. Hot, cold, sideways, makes no difference. :biggrin:

Pompano - 8-18-2010 at 06:58 AM

Soon to be a moot point for me.

When our current 'off grid zone' gets hooked up the new powerline that is connecting Mulege and Loreto, I will say a fond farewell to the chore of buying new solar batteries every 10 years or so..

Bob and Susan - 8-18-2010 at 07:03 AM

same here

people are not impressed with agm's
for cars ok... but no to solar

the ONLY problem with "us batteries" is that they are not sold here in baja
and if you get a bad cell you need to go to usa for a replacement
you shouldn't mix and match your bank

again if you plan to actually use your electricty
then get the bigger L-16's
don't "cheap out"

i see too many people with battery problems
when they use too small battery banks

you dont want to have to work on battery power every day

available down here too

larryC - 8-18-2010 at 08:01 AM

Batteries need to be cared for, especially FLA (flooded lead acid) batteries, they need to be watered, cleaned, and charged to the proper voltage for the correct amount of time. If your system allows, you should have an RTS (remote temperature sensor) on your charge controller. AGM(Absorbant Glass Mat) batteries do the same as FLA, but are about 10% more efficient, don't need cleaning or watering, and the life span of the large industrial type AGM's can be well over 10 years. It boils down to which is better Fords or Chevey's? If you are happy with what you've got, then stick with it.
Larry

durrelllrobert - 8-18-2010 at 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
The last time I bought Trojans at CostCo the clerk wrote "Size XS" on the box.

me too

MsTerieus - 8-18-2010 at 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Soon to be a moot point for me.

When our current 'off grid zone' gets hooked up the new powerline that is connecting Mulege and Loreto, I will say a fond farewell to the chore of buying new solar batteries every 10 years or so..

2 questions for you, Pompano: (1) I don't know your age - how many 10-year replacement periods were you worried about

, and (2) isn't it much more economical to stick with solar?

estebanis - 8-18-2010 at 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Naw..Trojan 105's are just fine for a large beach home like mine. Got more power than what I planned for on my newly revised....watts needed list.

Surround music, 18cft electric fridge, area lighting, 4 tvs, sat radio, Hughes Net internet, eliptical treadmill, hair dryers, hair curlers, vibrators, a jillion makeup lightslights, etc, etc, etc...

YOU ARE HILARIOUS!!! ROTFLMA :lol:

Doug/Vamonos - 8-18-2010 at 02:15 PM

Great replies! Thanks. Now I'm starting a new thread for your suggestions on a new controller.

acadist - 8-18-2010 at 02:37 PM

Oooppps :spingrin:

I thought it was a condom post :spingrin:

bkbend - 8-18-2010 at 03:07 PM

Is there a source for the Trojan batteries in Ensenada? T-105 or L-16.

comitan - 8-18-2010 at 03:23 PM

acadist

How about a fishing report, we plan on going tomorrow off of Coyote.

monoloco - 8-18-2010 at 04:12 PM

I had 16 T105's they worked fine and lasted about 5 years before I had to start removing the sulfated ones. I hated the maintenance of all those cells, they were always leaking, the cable terminals would start to corrode and need cleaning, pretty much a couple hours every month of work to maintain them properly. This time I went with AGM's, I'll let everybody know how they do, but I am already enjoying not having to phutz around with them getting battery acid on my clothes. Hopefully by the time they crater I'll be hooked up the good old CFE.

acadist - 8-18-2010 at 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
acadist

How about a fishing report, we plan on going tomorrow off of Coyote.

Went out of Los Arenas today, good day. 8 football tuna, 3 Dorado, peanut to medium, 1 trigger trying to get boiling Pargo Lisa to bite, and chased the big tuna for a 43#. Will post a full report later. Commercials caught some real big ones.

Pompano - 8-18-2010 at 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MsTerieus

Quote:

2 questions for you, Pompano: (1) I don't know your age - how many 10-year replacement periods were you worried about

, and (2) isn't it much more economical to stick with solar?

Hi MsTerieus,

I sure don't mind giving my age..I turned older than dirt last December 9th (hint-hint)..but I am younger than I look, honest.

Since 1971, I have replaced 1 7-year set and 3 10-year sets of solar batts ..working on the 4th 10-year set now. I'll let you know in 2019 on how they worked out. Also upgraded solar panels three times so far. I am not what you would call a couch potato.

And yes, I would never give up my solar energy system..I love making free electricity and being self-sufficienct. Just love going into the solar room and noting how power it takes to run a Mr. Coffee...or watch the power drain difference when the BIG hair dryer shifts from LOW to HIGH.

I even dug my own well...free water in the desert, now that's a plus! But...I still don't let the tap run and run...like ]some people.

But even with lots of solar electric, when that powerline comes down the road, I'll be looking forward to making that new meter SPIN!

Heck...I can then unpack all those gadgets with electric cords hanging off them that were 'appropriated' from my guests over the years. :rolleyes:

Things will sure get lively around here, then! Have to invite those Wild Childs from Asuncion over again!

Doug/Vamonos - 8-18-2010 at 10:13 PM

Hi Larry. In case you didn't recognize me, I'm the guy who runs with my wife (Teri) and dog on the beach in front of your house. We stopped and said hi a couple times. Thanks for your responses.

Roger...

Mexray - 8-18-2010 at 10:39 PM

...sounds like coyote will be lit up like Vegas-south when the wires get 'strung' down your way!

Hell with the sparkly lights - just get one large refer to keep all the Pacifico's cold - well, maybe an icemaker for the G&T's in the evening - oh, and maybe a blender for the rum punch - oh,forgot the ice crusher to lay all the fresh shrimp out after they're steamed - maybe a keg cooler over in the corner would be nice, just for that quick 'cold one' with the foamy taste...

Maybe you'd better put in your request for a larger transformer to drop that high voltage right down on your pole!

Next thing you know, all you beach 'bums' will be gettin' indoor plumbing as well... :wow:

Ray

Bob and Susan - 8-19-2010 at 05:46 AM

electricty in the bay... :lol:

like that will happen :biggrin:

we'll be makin electricty for years...

don't give those batteries away
just yet :saint:

Pompano - 8-19-2010 at 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
electricty in the bay... :lol:

like that will happen :biggrin:

we'll be makin electricty for years...

don't give those batteries away
just yet :saint:

Bob...sorry, you're a fairly recent arrival to the Bay and don't get this old joke. All in fun.

About a week after the 1973 highway went in, the rumor started that Power was on it's way to connect Mulege and Loreto!

Ever year since, it's been the same old story. The Power is On It's Way! It 's become an urban legend.

[Edited on 8-19-2010 by Pompano]

larryC - 8-19-2010 at 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos
Hi Larry. In case you didn't recognize me, I'm the guy who runs with my wife (Teri) and dog on the beach in front of your house. We stopped and said hi a couple times. Thanks for your responses.

Doug
I didn't recognize you, but I do now. Check your u2u, I am sending you some info on a freind of mine that has used AGM batteries, good ones.
Larry

Baja&Back - 8-19-2010 at 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
The last time I bought Trojans at CostCo the clerk wrote "Size XS" on the box.

Sorry, Wooosh, that actually meant XS CARGO (defective-from China)
:lol:

The 2 year old Costco 6 volts I put on my trailer have turned out to be rather disappointing. Don't keep half the charge I want. Maybe time to go to Trojans.