Trojan GC2 T105 cost justification?

[dsolo]

I will need a new house bank before the end of the season. I am hoping to make the season on what I have. They are five years old. They will be tested regularly.

I plan to replace with 4 6volt GC2 Batteries.
I have priced the Trojan T105 at about $150 each. I also priced several other popular brands. I have found Advance Auto's Auto Craft brand has specs very close to the Trojan, which includes lead/acid, heavy plates with gel added to enhance deep cycle performance. Amp hours are very close. The only difference is the warranty. Trojan is at 2 years, 2nd year prorated, and AutoCraft is 1 year. With Advance Auto's discount (25% up to $100) their batteries are $100 each.

Advance Auto's brand is built by Johnson Controls. A premier automotive supplier of electromechanical devices. I have deal with them in my career and the are driven by design and process excellence. Today there are many automotive companies that wish they had JC air bag deployment rather than Takata.

So any input from the members would be appreciated. I don't want to throw money away, but would like to justify the extra spent. Thanks

[bud37]

Cant answer about the Trojans, I just bought rolls surette GC2 and they were twice what you are for the Advance.......I have had batteries from Johnson controls though and I don't think you can go wrong there.....not one failure over the years for me.....I would compare the weight and the terminal type choices. Well taken care of batteries should last for a long time Imho......

[km1125]

Check your credit card policies too... some will double the warranty period for no charge (other than what you already pay for the card). Not 100% sure it applies to batteries, but I don't recall seeing an exclusion either.

Johnson Controls stuff is good and I would not have any problem buying them, but I have NOT been impressed with the quality of some auto parts I've purchase at Advance Auto (brake cables, pads and rotors specifically).

[tomschauer]

I am no longer up on battery manufacturers , but waaaay back in my late high school days I worked summers and weekends for General Battery Corp (my grandfather was plant manager). Every battery class was made to the exact same high quality specs, the only difference were colors of the casings and caps (green, black, white and red) and the labels placed on the cases before they were packed for shipping. These labels would vary regarding CCA etc. by the specs supplied by the end outlet store, but were identical internally. I will not share names, but the same batteries went out with no less than eight different brand names that would sell at significantly different prices, CCA rating and warranty period. As many businesses continue to consolidate, I would bet there are less manufactures supplying product to more labels today.

I guess what I am trying to say is , batteries, especially flooded lead acid, are only manufactured by a few companies domestically due to the toxicity of lead. If you can find a US made battery of your type and group, it will most likely be of high quality and you just need to find the best price available.

[dsolo]

Thanks all for the feedback. I believe I can make my decision with the input received. Save on batteries and upgrade my battery charger with the savings. That's the great thing about owning a boat, you always have another item to purchase.
Stand by I'll need input shortly.

[mjk1040]

I believe u have made the right choice! Mike