This is the Deka battery I was referring to (#DP27)... I have a pair of these in my BII:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_599944-50656-DP27___?Ntt=deka+dp27&UserSearch=deka+dp27&productId=50183759
(specs on that page seem to be wrong, the DP27 is said to be maintenance-free, though I still like to check it's water levels at least once a year or so)
I'm not sure if I am in agreement or disagreement with calicamper's comment...
Johnson Controls' batteries are junk. Most of the batteries I've owned that were made by them had fairly short to very short lifespans and/or suffered from significant acid leakage issues around the top vent caps. So if JC does have an ability to assemble a great battery, they certainly do not seem to be using it (perhaps for the reason cited).
East Penn on the other hand, I've had nothing but great experiences with. I have a Delco Voyager in one of my other rigs that was made by them that I bought back in 2004. It is still going to this day (it actually has become a curiosity how much longer it could possibly last). The above Deka Marine Master seems to be the closest equivalent to that old Delco Voyager (uses lead-calcium grid construction), if they last even half what that old Voyager has lasted I'll be happy with them. Incidentally, East Penn builds their batteries here in the US. Most of JC's production is in Mexico.
