Questions on Marine Batteries

[jax]

I have discount coupons for Advanced Auto, Dicks Sporting Goods, and my uncle works for Pep Boys.

My question is are the batteries from bass pro and dicks that much better than the ones for auto parts stores? I realize Walmart is cheaper than anybody else but I don't mind spending $100 compared to $60 if the battery will last longer. I can get batteries from Advanced Auto or Pep Boyz for about $75, walmart is about $60, Dicks and Bass Pro are around $100.

I don't mind spending an extra $25 for a better battery if it is worth the extra.

Thanks,

[Wayne P.]

They are all probably made by the same company. Higher price does not always mean better.

Sam's Club carries the same battery that Walmart does, but the Walmart battery is $5 cheaper. They are the same company.

[Way2slow]

First, you need to compare apples to apples.

Make sure they are all the same group size 24, 27, 29, etc (the same size case)

Nexty make sure they are the same amp hour capacity.  If not true deep cycle they may not have the Ah capacity so make sure they have the same CCA/ CA/MCA and the same reserve minutes capacity.

These things will at least let you see if your looking at similar batteries as far as capacity goes.

The type plates they use also play a big role in the cost and type battery it truely is.  Calcium plates are common in good cranking batteries, Lead Antimony are common in good Deep cycle.  Hybrid plates are common in cheaper batteries but deliver basically the same capacity but won't have the life span of a better battery.  Whether or not they are hybrids, you have no real way of knowing without being able to find the actual specs.

There are only four state side battery manufactors and it's a good chance some of these batteries came out of the same plant, but doesn't mean they were built with their highest quality plates and components.

[jax]

Plates. That is what I was trying to find out. The specs are comparable and I am only looking at 27s. I assumed that acid and the plates would probably make the difference but wasn't sure what to ask about.

Walmart and Sam's kill me. A lot of time you can get the same price that Sam's has in a smaller quantity at Walmart. I don't understand why Walmart still builds Sam's stores when they sell almost identical items right next to each other.

I'm really trying to figure out why Bass Pro charges more for their batteries than anyone else.

[HossFly]

I only use wal-mart yellow-top batteries for all my vehicles and boat.

I hate wal-mart, but it's the best deal i've found and the batteries are just plain durable, kinda like the old "die-hards" used to be....ok maybe not THAT good, but what else is anymore.

The 3-year free-replacement has come in handy a few times on vehicle batteries. Wish they would offer the same for deep-cycle....i even use them in my floor-srcubber at work and it's used 7 days a week.

But that's just my experiences.....

[Jig Man]

You can get good quality batteries from auto parts stores which carry deep cycle marine batteries.  If you will look at the Wally World batteries they are usually 105-140 reserve amps.

Check the auto parts store's and you will probably find 180-200 reserve amps.  

I won't spend money on anything less than 180s.

[Way2slow]

The only way you're going to find out how they are constructed is stick with a quality name brand like Interstate, Deka, Trojan, etc and go to their web sites and check them out.  Deka make a lot of different batteries but only publish their brand specs, same with Johnson Contols and US battery.