Any clue on likely battery life and quality from retail marine batteries?

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,891 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Some of you recall the recent thread about suitable batteries for ~ 5,000 lb winches. I'd like to get several years with proper mtce.

Sam's Club (I have a membership) appears to have three suitable marine batteries with 1/4" threaded posts (want this feature). One is $70, one is $80 and one is $90. All have a 12 month warranty - standard for marine batteries. They all say they are for starting, only the $90 battery states aH of capacity. But CCA is desired for winching. 

Got me to thinking that we likely have no idea about the battery quality at retail stores like Walmart, Sams, Costco etc. 

Do you feel that the price shows the quality? That would make some sense. The outward appearance of the 70, 80 and $90 dollar batteries were all the same. I wonder what might be different in them - all ~ the same size dimensionally. 

Perhaps testing resistance is called for. That would surprise their employees. 
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Generally, 'marine' batteries are NOT deep cycle batteries. If flooded batteries, they are likely lead calcium where a true deep cycle would be lead antimony. Depending on how often you use a single use winch battery, a Lead calcium might be a good fit, they should hold a charge longer with less maintenance.

    An example of expected life span by the makers of HUP battery with daily deep cycling;



    Link to HUP;

    HUP Battery Prices. HUP Solar Battery Pricing.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,891 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Thanks, number of cycles is unlikely to be an issue for winching down dangerous trees. I have bought a few new starter batteries that came with a resistance over 5. They were short lived. Quality manufacturers do not release batteries with a resistance over five.

    Guess I should check the resistance of these economical winch battery choices. I always forget to bring the tester. 

    FWIW, Sams Club tested the bad battery that I returned with a "fancy" tester. The 500 CCA battery showed 14 CCA in spite of a charge attempt. I suspect that it may have froze while discharged and something broke. They refunded my monies which were more than the current cost due to a sale. 

    FWIW: Costco auto battery warranty went from 7 years to 5 years to 3 years. Costco became very mainstream and changed a LOT. Focusing on profits like everyone else though still generally a cut above. Both Sams and Costco have 12 month Marine battery warranties and Costco doesn't offer many Marine batteries. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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