US Battery compared to Deka

[johnjen50]

How do the US battery compare to the Deka 819? Apparently the Dekas will take 3 weeks to get from the factory, and I'm being told these are the equivalent. The US battery number is 1541. Anyone know? Thanks

 

[GJH]

I had a set of US Battery L16's as my inverter bank for several years that I absolutely used and abused, I forget how many amp hours I pulled out, but it was something like 50% more than rated life span in AH and cycles. Anyway, I would not hesitate to buy one of their products again if readily available.

 

[Boatsb]

Look at the specs and who makes them. If they are similar and from the same factory consider them. ALL battery companies have low priced crap to compete. If it's one of those you'll be sorry.

 

[gbharrington]

About 10 years ago when I was doing some battery research on 12V deep cycle batteries I talked to an engineer at US Battery. At that time he told me that their 12V deep cycle was made by Penn, also the maker of Dekka. He also said that they were working on an in house design, but a good automotive sized 12V deep cycle battery was a difficult achievement due to the space limitations of the case. Apparently the amount of insulation that you can put between the plates has a lot of influence over the performance and life of the battery. In a 12V battery, having 6 cells, there is not enough room to really due it right and still have decent amp hours, so it ends up being a compromise. For deep cycle purposes he said that 6V batteries (golf cart and L16) were a lot better than anything in 12V with the exception of an 8D.
It now occurs to me that I have assumed you are talking about 12V deep cycle. If not, never mind

 

[Boatsb]

819 is an 8 volt heavy duty battery

 

[johnjen50]

Thanks for the info. I called US Battery and asked them who manufactures their batteries and they said we do. Made in the USA. So not getting far there. Researching on the net doesn't really indicate WHO makes them, and I couldn't find anything to suggest that East Penn made them. And yes, I'm talking about 8 volt here. Incidentally It's Rae's Battery in CT that is telling me this. Given that Sky and others have had good things to say about this shop I am leaning toward believing him........ And then he tells me he doesn't take credit cards and I would have to mail him a check. There goes another week! Nothings easy....... Scott, I'm not sure how I would find out which factory makes the US Battery, unless you mean if they happened to be made by East Penn, or US Battery. All I know is the PO put 195's on the house side and they didn't last even 3 years. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[johnjen50]

This doesn't really tell me much:

http://usbattery.com/products/8-volt-batteries/15-4-1-xc2/

 

[Boatsb]

Id look to local shops that may have stock. usually I get batteries in a few days to a week but some shop do not order until they reach a volume for rebates and pricing.

If you were in Florida I could probably help.

 

[johnjen50]

Yes thanks Scott I do appreciate the offer. Just another great thing, besides the LONG season, about boating in the Northeast. No one up here has them. I have one last East Penn distributor to call that's kind of a drive away, but at this point I will probably do the drive to get back some boating time. George thanks for the insight. I may end up there.

 

[GJH]

Yes US Battery is an OEM, for their own brand as well as others (apparently including Deka of all people). Here is a guide as to who makes batteries and for who.

http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm#U

 

[bobk]

Yes US Battery is an OEM, for their own brand as well as others (apparently including Deka of all people). Here is a guide as to who makes batteries and for who.

http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm#U

Wow!

I'm thinking of replacing my inverter bank this summer. Workaholics lasted 6 years. Current private label about 3 years and they were expensive. Thinking SAMS because Workaholics have just been 'redesigned' so who knows how long a new Workaholic will last.

Bobk

 

[Boatsb]

Interstate gets more than one oem to make batteries for them. One also makes the crap for walfart.

I have been disappointed with interstate the last few years. Found them to be failing too often although they did warranty them my back hurt from the remove and replacement.

If they are redesigning them is it because of a new manufacturer or are they looking to make a better battery?

 

[bobk]

Interstate gets more than one oem to make batteries for them. One also makes the crap for walfart.


If they are redesigning them is it because of a new manufacturer or are they looking to make a better battery?

That's the 64$ question. What to do...what to do??

Bobk

 

[Boatsb]

Im running with the guys at Royal these days. they support me and my customers and do the best they can at providing quality and options. This allows me to handle multiple brands and multiple chemistry. I do like the LiFe batteries. Cost is a bit higher but the expected life and recharge rate is incredible.

 

[q240z]

I got 5 good years out of a set of Sam's club 6v GC batts, and it's my understanding the current owner of the boat is still using them for a total of eight years. We were on the hook a lot, too. Granted that's with a Magnum inverter charger keeping them in perfect health, and I know...not marine rated...clearly inferior brand name...but the thing is they work and they're a fraction of the price of the competition that lasts about the same amount of time.

YMMV

 

[rsmith]

Interstate gets more than one oem to make batteries for them. One also makes the crap for walfart.

I have been disappointed with interstate the last few years. Found them to be failing too often although they did warranty them my back hurt from the remove and replacement.

If they are redesigning them is it because of a new manufacturer or are they looking to make a better battery?

A friend of mine said they were named interstate because that's where you will most likely see them, on the side of the road dead