Anyone using a lead acid battery in their AT?

[GunnIt]

My Deka AGM group 31 just died after 2 years. This battery was perfectly maintained (trickle charged with a smart charger), stored correctly, and lightly used. Way too much money to spend for such a short use life. I have had terrible luck with AGM batteries lasting more than a year or so regardless of the brand. I currently have more than 30 lead-acid batteries running in vehicles and boats and I replace only a few every year. I'm looking at going to a lead-acid battery for my Horizon. Anyone doing this? How are you enclosing it? Anyone used a sealed battery box with venting?

 

[Titanpat57]

I would write Deka and explain (or complain) what you just did here...they should at least credit you for, or towards, a new purchase of the battery of your choice.

I have a lead acid Group 27 (Interstae) running just LED camp lighting, with a backup 1000w 2 cycle generator. To date I've gone as high as 4 days without a recharge, and easily could went a few more.

I have mounted and secured in a metal nose box with 4 vents cut into it, sitting on a rubber mat. My "off road" trips are limited to just off off highway and gravel roads. I think once secured, and outside of flipping the trailer, the lead acid should perform well, especially one in the Group 31 range.

I know some have expressed concern of "gassing" in a closed compartment, but with the venting to date, I have not seen any corrosion on anything else stored in the nose box.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I don't have an AT, but I'm also using a simple lead acid deep cycle battery in my trailer. No problems, but I don't have a lot of "miles" on it yet. I had a simple lead acid battery in my Seadoo, and that thing gets beat to hell. I can't imagine shock and vibration being any worse on a trailer than what I've put that thing through. That battery lasted 4 years, and I think it still works, but I put an Odyssey in just because I don't want to risk getting stranded somewhere and the original was starting to get long in the tooth.

I have a tiny tiny Yuasa AGM and/or gell cell in my enduro motorcycle, and those things are POS. I've gone through 4 in 3 years. I do wonder if there is something going on with AGM batteries, Odyssey not included.

 

[GunnIt]

To be more specific about my past problems with AGM batteries; I have had two "blue-tops" and they both lasted a little over a year and now the Deka goes flat in a little over two years. I have heard some people mention that the Arizona heat is the culprit; I'm not sure what the deal is with these batteries, but from my standpoint, something needs to be done to correct a problem.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Go with a Sears Diehard Platinum. (same as Odyssey)

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I put a Costco Kirkland, lead acid batt. in my trailer almost 3 yrs ago,

It has been in the Nevada desert, for almost a year--no problemo

I have a solar charging sys, thats always employed, when we're out!!

Costco had a free 3 yr replacement when I bought it, I don't know about know--

Too many AGM/Gel batteries fail, because of improper application/charging--I'm happy with lead-acid !!

:costumed-smiley-007 JIMBO

 

[Borrego60]

Walmat Everstart battery gp31 not one problem at all going on 3+ years and going strong. Also one in my AT trailer.

 

[peekay]

The AGM/gel types seem to be a bunch of hype. They don't seem to last as long as lead acids. At best, they last as long as a quality lead acid. Regardless, they are guaranteed to cost 2-5x's as much.

Besides, there is no way in heck any expedition vehicle takes as much vibration and abuse as a typical quad or dirtbike and all quads/dirtbikes use lead acids. My lead acid on my quad has lasted 7 years. And this is on a vehicle that gets used once or twice a month and only on rough terrain.

 

[Martyn]

Terry

As you know we have been selling DEKA batteries for years now and this is the first case we have heard of where a battery has started not to hold a charger after it has been well maintained.

I have a call into DEKA to find out about their warranty, and to find out how we move forward with this.

The AT nose box is sealed, so any type of wet lead acid battery would require the box to be vented. There are a few ways to do this that lessen the chance of dust and water entering the box. We'd be happy to discuss them with you if you decide to take this route.

 

[GunnIt]

Terry

As you know we have been selling DEKA batteries for years now and this is the first case we have heard of where a battery has started not to hold a charger after it has been well maintained.

I have a call into DEKA to find out about their warranty, and to find out how we move forward with this.

Martin,

Thanks for your help. The reason that I went to the Deka was because of the great reputation that this battery has. I was expecting to get 5 or more years use out of it. Not sure what happened to it, had it off the trickle for a few weeks and it went dead. Now when I charge it the voltage falls off in a few days. I did not intend this thread to disparage Deka as a company or manufacture, I fully understand that things can break.

 

[Martyn]

Martin,

Thanks for your help. The reason that I went to the Deka was because of the great reputation that this battery has. I was expecting to get 5 or more years use out of it. Not sure what happened to it, had it off the trickle for a few weeks and it went dead. Now when I charge it the voltage falls off in a few days. I did not intend this thread to disparage Deka as a company or manufacture, I fully understand that things can break.

Terry

Like you, we want to find out what happened to the battery, it's lifespan was too short, and it would be nice to get some answers from the manufacturer.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Since I am running two of these Deka Group 31 batteries in my trailer I am curious to hear any feedback on the root cause of your failure. Mine have been working flawlessly for over 2 years now so I am a happy camper.

Any updates from Deka on why yours failed? Thx

 

[Doug2000]

Battery Selection

I don't have an AT, but I'm also using a simple lead acid deep cycle battery in my trailer. No problems, but I don't have a lot of "miles" on it yet. I had a simple lead acid battery in my Seadoo, and that thing gets beat to hell. I can't imagine shock and vibration being any worse on a trailer than what I've put that thing through. That battery lasted 4 years, and I think it still works, but I put an Odyssey in just because I don't want to risk getting stranded somewhere and the original was starting to get long in the tooth.

I have a tiny tiny Yuasa AGM and/or gell cell in my enduro motorcycle, and those things are POS. I've gone through 4 in 3 years. I do wonder if there is something going on with AGM batteries, Odyssey not included.

This question is for Rob or any other Canadian.

What is the best marine deep cycle battery for the money available in Canada. I bought a Energizer from Walmart last summer, barely held a charge over the weekend, so I took it back. Sounds like the Sears Diehard are the best, but I don't think I can get them in Canada.

Should I try a Nautilus from Canadian Tire, Costco didn't have any deep cycles, and suggestions.

Doug

 

[Martyn]

Since I am running two of these Deka Group 31 batteries in my trailer I am curious to hear any feedback on the root cause of your failure. Mine have been working flawlessly for over 2 years now so I am a happy camper.

Any updates from Deka on why yours failed? Thx

I didn't get much out of DEKA's main office. If we were still in Southern Cal I think the local office would have been more helpful, but we moved!

 

[kcfunke]

I have two Deka 31 batteries in my trailer too. Both have failed after only 1.5 years. I am also interested if you hear anything about cause of failure.

I have to replace mine before we head off to the expo.