Are all GC 230 ahr batteries equal ?

LewisFertig

My 1st set of off grid batteries were trojan 8-6v @24 L-16 that lasted 8 yr. The 2nd set were trojan 8-6v @24v T-105 that lasted 10 yr. I  can't justify the L-16 over the T-105 based on battery life. I am now wondering if there is much difference between trojan T-105, deka GC-15, or Interstate GC2-ECL-UTL batteries ? The Interstate are available locally so I don't  need to plan the truck delivery and I can recover the core charge.

706jim

I'm wondering what if anything changed for the two different sets of batteries. Charging current, equalization, more or less loads.

offgridcabin2015

Hi LewisFertig,   I only wanted to mention that i'm been using the exact same interstate batts ( Interstate GC2-ECL-UTL batteries) will be 5 years this feb 2021. NOte they have discontinued them here locally . I"M in Moncton, nb. Canada. Great batteries. Just a comment that may help you in your decision. Neil. 

wellbuilt

Hemmm, sounds fishy l16 have more AH and would require more charging  power then the t 105s some thing like 225 Ah vs 380AH , is it possible that you where under charging the l 16  VS charging the t105s in the sweet spot ? ?? 

  I would be happy with 8 or 10 years any way 
  I use cheep sams club battery’s and have gotten good service but I’m not expecting 8 or 10 years out of them .

LewisFertig

Thanks for the feedback. Yes  things have changed. In the last 8 yrs I've added an outback 60 mppt and 1000w solar to my 750w. I have a trace 4024 inverter. I use about 1-1.5 kwh per day. Nov. and Dec. are killer months here in northern NY.  

LewisFertig

Thanks for the comment on the Interstate batteries. They are available locally (80 miles Watertown N.Y). I like the trojans but would have to order them from a supplier 150 miles away or have them trucked here. Any other experience with Deka GC15 batteries ?

wellbuilt

I’ve had good experiences with interstate batteries also , I have a set of cheesy l16 in a hi low that is 10 or 12 years old and still work good. 

 We don’t use it every day but a charge still lasts all day and they don’t get babied .  

  I’ve see Sam club battery’s for sale for 89 buck again , some times they don’t charge a core charge . 

  It’s a lot of power for the money .