Deka Batteries?

[Brian McVickers]

Hi,
Does anyone know where I can find Deka batteries to purchase?
And how much do they generally cost?

In comparison I am considering a Sears DieHard Platinum / AKA Odyssey
group 34 for around $189.

Any other ideas are welcome!
I've considered less expensive batteries, some would allow me to go directly into a dual battery setup for the same cost as one of the Platinum/Odysseys or equivlents but I would rather do it right the first time with quality.

I'm replacing an Optima RedTop that just can't keep up any longer, it dies with one night of my Engel 45 running on low.

Thanks - didn't mean to create another dual battery thread - my primary question is about Deka batteries.
:088:

 

[HenryJ]

There is quite a bit of information in this thread: S-10CREWCAB.COM - Optima , Odyssey, Deka, Battery information

Deka website: EastPenn/Deka
Where to buy in North America

I would suggest:
East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc.
1202 N. 54th Ave
Suite 107
Phoenix, AZ 85043
Phone: 602-240-5592
Fax: 602-212-2690

I purchased mine ( DEKA Intimidator 9A78DT ) at the local D&B Farmer Supply store for $98

East Penn / Deka impressed me with their customer service.
I promptly received an email with the warranty information I requested. "Hello, below is the answer to your question.
36 months warranty and 12 months free replacement
Thank You and have a great day "
I also made a phone call to the 800 number. There was a message on my machine. I received another call. The rep said, " Mr.Lehman?" , I said "Yes". "I understand you have a problem with your battery?". I said "No, I was just inquiring as the the warranty. I was told it was 12 months free replacement and prorated after that for a total of three years warranty." He said "That is correct".
I went on to ask about the recycling. That is true. They have their own lead and plastics recycling. 70% of the lead used is recycled and 30% new. 100% of the battery is recycled. The gases are made into fertilizer. This is one reason they have been able to keep their costs low.
I like the "Green" aspects of this battery.

 

[Mike S]

Dekas are good batteries, quality product and less than premium batteries like the Optima.

 

[Martyn]

We have had very good results with the DEKA batteries. They kept their price lower than competitors because they were able to reclaim lead from used batteries at their smelter.

They hold a good charge and discharge and recharge well. Customer service is good, and even the delivery guy knows his batteries.

They even took care of the battery that was connected up to a charger the wrong way around and wasn't very happy rngartis

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Pokey]

I would first examine how long you tend to run your fridge without starting to recharge the batts. If you are draining a true "deep cycle" battery below 40% capacity---chances are it will meet an early demise similar to the optima.

The general rule of thumb is to design your batt needs around 40-50% of its total AH capacity. IE.....for a 220ah battery---use 110amp hours to yeild your usage before you restart to charge up the battery bank.

I think the engel fridge averages about 1.4amps per hour given an average hot day on a fairly low temp. I think the max is 2.7per hour.....but really it cycles on an off and depending on outside heat/etc....ive heard people throw out the 1.5amps per hour as a conservative stab at it. So to run it a full day---24 hours thats 36amp hours a day-----for two days---72 amp hours.......so at the deep cycle 50%rate....thats a 72ah battery for 1 day and a 142ah battery for two.(without a start)

Also look at your alternator figures to see what rate they recharge your battery. Typically the main advantage of a true deeep cycle AGM like a Lifeline is that they can absorb 200% of its ah capacity----meaning---they will gobble up the max your alternator can feed it.............still with your avg. 70-90amp alternator-- it will still take over 45minutes of running before you recharge a days worth of drainage and 1.5 hours on a 142ah battery if you need two days of boondocking.

Unless you have some sort of smart charging-3-4stage charger---you can also plan on chopping about 5-10% off your ah capacity as your battery with a stock alternator is only doing a bulk charge and the plates are never truly topped off and your total amphours get truncated somewhat over time.

True deep cycles like the Lifelines will have much better results with a true trickle of power like the Engel demands. the 20ah rating which is based typically on an 8amp draw will give you the minutes that it can sustain the output---Lifeline website gives you those minutes per each size battery. With the Engel draw being 1/4 of the 8amp draw.........that 20ah rating in minutes mulitiplies even more than 4x as the true advantages of a true Deep cycle battery begin to show.

The Marine batt. expert i spoke to about the deep cycles charging off the alternator said that all alternators are not equal and that he wouldnt trust a GM alternator alone with a Lifeline (that it would need some type of charge controller) whereas he had good things to say about the Toyota alternator charging quality and didnt feel a need to use smart charging with it.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Thanks Pokey,

To be honest I have not dedicated much brain power to this. I have put together some detailed high ah battery systems for marine applications which incorporated high output alternators, solar and wind charging but until I move forward with a dual battery setup for the rig I just want to find the best battery for the price and stick it in there.

This is funny! - I went to check the mfg date on the Optima I have and needed to clean the dust off. A damp rag revealed a BLUE TOP not a Red!!

Time to get out the calculator and pencil!

:smiley_drive:

 

[Pokey]

If you get into the 180+ amp hour stratosphere or greater.....i would strongly consider using two 6volt batteries combined for 12v or 24v(w/4).

Trojan (t-108) makes some very beefy 6volt batteries and they are probably the cheapest/bang for buck. However they do vent/gas probably somewhat more than the LIFELINES. Lifeline also makes 6v batteries in the 200ah-300ah range. They start at about 65lbs each and would be the best if you are installing them in the cab and are worried about gassing.

Just realized you are in AZ....so you might want to test out your engel in the heat to see what your avg. amps/hr are. Im contemplating getting a fridge cozy to keep the fridge insulated a bit better and keep the usage at its least in the dead of summer.

Theres really no substitute for heavy lead AGMS in a deep cycle-trickle drain situation with the fridges. I currently run two 65lb Lifelines and get 2-3days without startup depending on ambient heat outside/inside my dark green Landcruiser.(which soaks up the sun unfortunately). Adding 130lbs was a big concern-but i ended up removing my stock center console and put them on the floor of the second row seating (nice and low) underneath my full length rear platform. That coupled with 70liters of water in the footwells behind the front seats gives a nice 300lbs that is directly in between the front and rear wheels and as low in the cab as possible.

 

[cnskate]

HenryJ, did you recently purchase that battery at the price? That's $40 cheaper than I can get it here, plus no tax. Maybe I'll wait till I get to Ontario before I buy one.