Duracell 8Ds, Sams Club, $199

[GrowleyMonster]

Now I love my GC-2 batteries. They are tough and long winded, and a very convenient form factor, and normally cheap as durt. Imagine my shock when I went into Sams for new start/house batts for my new to me Roberts 44 and the GC-2's that had been $85 for several years, are now $125! Okay, still cheaper than Trojans, with shipping, but I did not feel like spending $500 plus tax and core charge. Bottom shelf, one lonely 8D, also Duracell brand. Price: $199. The numbers made the sale. $250 for a pair of GC-2 that would give me about 220ah at 12v, or $199 that would give me 240ah+ at 12v. Probably won't last QUITE as long as the golf cart batteries, but budget constraints, which once would have made buying GC batteries a no brainer, now have me going with the big uglies. Today we will hit the other local Sams Clubs and try to find another one, then I will have our two banks for the new-to-me boat.



But boy are those things a beast to handle by yourself!

[john61ct]

AFAIK Rolls & Dyno are the only makers of quality deep cycling batteries in those automotive form factors like 4D and 8D, in the NA market.

Even worse if those are Deka AGM as opposed to flooded.

The longevity difference will not be slight, the FLA GC2s are **much** better value.

As would going to Trojans, but personally the Deka are likely to be just as good, IMO Trojans are not worth more than say a 15% higher cost per AH.

Unless you really want to invest in longevity and spring for RE units, but that's another level.

U.S. Battery, Crown, Superior are also worth considering, check out local pricing, but again **FLA** and,

not every model will perform as well as the GC versions.

[meridian28]

Batteries Plus GC2 $109 plus a 10% discount for ordering online. When I did this last year I was able to get all batteries from the same lot.

[john61ct]

Lowe's also selling them with Deka stickers, same units.

They really are the best value batts, in the world afaic.

[GrowleyMonster]

Darn. Went to another Sams. They had the GC-2 Duracells for $89/ea. They had 6 of them, 2 February and 4 Aprils. Well, I have two 8Ds in Brute Force now. But I have two extra GC-2 in my electric boat so I will install them as a backup/windlass bank. Meanwhile let's see how long these Big Uglys last with proper care.

[john61ct]

I would've thought Sam's return policy would be OK with a swap so soon after?

Of course as you say manhsndling those suckers is no fun. . .

[Zil]

Duracell golf cart at B+B and Sam's come in two sizes GC2 and EGC2. Go the extra bucks for the EGC2.

[roverhi]

The problem with 8D's other than most aren't deep cycle is they are very large and heavy. Knowing a friendly gorilla is almost mandatory to move them around. The thought of getting them out of the boat and into a truck bed could be the reason that 'GM' didn't try and return them. GC Batteries are heavy enough, wouldn't even consider an 8 or 4 D.

[stormalong]

Interesting thread. I have six Trojan t-105s that need replacing. Costco has Interstate GC2s for $93 each. Anyone have experience with Interstate? Yes, I know they will not last as long as Trojan but they are half the price and I don't cross oceans anymore.

[john61ct]

Interstate does not make any batteries, just does marketing & distribution. Those likely OEM is JCI, meh

The Duracell / Deka are much longer lasting.

[cottonsail]

I bought Trojan T-105's for $125. each. Couldn't be happier.

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by cottonsail

I bought Trojan T-105's for $125. each. Couldn't be happier.

Where did you get them at that price?

[cottonsail]

Originally Posted by stormalong

Where did you get them at that price?

A Marathon Fl golf cart repair place.

[WSMFP]

Batteries Plus Bulbs has these for $95 minus 10% for ordering on line with in store pick up. This is what I replaced T105s with.

Item Number: SLIGC110
Brand: Duracell Ultra
Voltage: 6
Format: BCI Group GC2
Lead Acid Type: Deep Cycle
Capacity: 215AH
Battery Type: Basic
Capacity 20hr: 215AH
Chemistry: Lead Acid
Lead Acid Design: Flooded
Made in the USA: True
Weight: 60.5 lbs

[GrowleyMonster]

Well, I am not going to move the new 8Ds until they croak on me. Stuck with them and that's that. So now I am fixing to pull the trigger on a charger. The two 8Ds will be separate banks on a 1/ALL/2/OFF switch. Undecided between a 30A and a 40A multibank charger. Kinda leaning toward the 40A one. Programmable, with equalizing. I will also have a 20A portable charger as a backup, and my trusty old Variac/rectifier setup as a manual fallback if I can't get a good equalization from the smart charger.


I would like to hear some opinions before I click the "Buy Now" button. I am really feeling the love for the 40a charger but maybe I would be spending more than I need to spend.