Cheap 6V Deep Cycle GC Batteries!

[tx2sturgis]

Just sayin' cars had 'em too.

I know they did...but not now. I was referring to golf carts and I tried to cover the bases listing 6v motorcycle batteries available currently. Yes, you can still buy 6v motorcycle batteries NOW, off the shelf, because there are still a few classic bikes still running that use 6 volt electrics.

But if you want a 6V starter battery for an old gasoline powered golf cart you are gonna have to order it (if they even make a 6v starter battery labeled 'golf cart' or 'golf car' starter battery) because it sure wont be on the shelves at Walmart or Sams or Cosco or Autozone.

Anyhow, the point I made is that 6v batteries labled 'golf cart', 'GC', (or 'golf car') batteries are NOT for starting a gas engine on a golf cart, they are for deep cycle use to run the electric motor as you enjoy a nice afternoon on the course.

Of course, many RVs come with them as standard equipment, and that is because they ARE deep cycle.

In some of the earlier posts, it was implied that off-the-shelf, brand new, 6v golf cart batteries were not deep cycle unless that was printed on the label, and that is not correct.

For 12 volt automotive batteries we have 2 basic types, Starter and Deep Cycle (with some claiming dual use). But for all intents and purposes, all 6V GOLF CART batteries are (or should be) deep cycle design. Quality, warranty and amp-hour ratings will vary, of course.

 

[AJ452]

From respected solar supplier Northern Arizona Wind & Sun, https://www.solar-electric.com/learning-center/batteries-and-charging/deep-cycle-battery-faq.html :

[font=Roboto,]Unfortunately, it is often impossible to tell what you are really buying in some of the discount stores or places that specialize in automotive batteries. The golf cart battery is quite popular for small systems and RV's. The problem is that "golf cart" refers to a [/font][font=Roboto,]size[/font][font=Roboto,] of battery case (commonly called GC-2, or T-105), not the type of construction - so the quality and construction of a golf cart battery can vary considerably - ranging from the cheap off brand with thin plates up to true deep cycle brands, such as Crown, Deka, Trojan, etc. In general, you get what you pay for. [/font]

Exide never uses the phrase deep cycle in any of their literature with respect to the golf cart batteries.  They know the phrase, they apply it to some of their other batteries.  Being deep cycle is a very desirable selling feature of a battery, you can be darn sure their marketing department would want that phrase proudly associated with the battery.  Check out the Sam's Club Duracell link earlier, they use the phrase THREE times in that one page describing their battery.  But it's nowhere to be seen with their Exide's.  There can only be one reason for that - because they're not.

Just because a battery is labeled "golf cart" it is not necessarily deep cycle.  It just means it's a certain size.  There is no governing body out there that mandates all golf cart batteries must be deep cycle by definition.  It seems to be a common assumption that they would be deep cycle for a golf cart application but at the end of the day that is still only an assumption, isn't it?

 

[Gr8ful]

Quote "Exide Deep Cycle Battery. According to the Exide website, their batteries use "thicker plates to improve cycle life and the heat sealed container reduces leaks. Heavy-duty construction helps to extend life and reduce water loss. The most common voltage for an Exide deep cycle battery is either a 6 volt or an 8 volt.
Exide Golf Cart Batteries - Golf Carts Etc"
https://www.golf-carts-etc.com/exide-golf-cart-batteries.html

 

[AJ452]

The phrase "deep cycle" has been added by golf-carts-etc.com.  It is not part of Exide's description.  It sounds like another case of a mistaken assumption that just because it's described as "golf cart" means it absolutely MUST be deep cycle.

If you look at Exide's own web page, https://www.exide.com/us/en/product/exide-xtra-golf-cart they quite conspicuously NEVER use the phrase.  They quite prominently use the phrase in the literature for the other batteries they offer that ARE true deep cycle: https://www.exide.com/us/en/product/exide-nautilus-deep-cycle.

Being deep cycle is a very desirable quality for a selling point.  They would surely utilize the phrase if it properly applied.  But their own manufacturer does NOT use the phrase.  And there has to be a reason for that.

 

[tx2sturgis]

From respected solar supplier Northern Arizona Wind & Sun, https://www.solar-electric.com/learning-center/batteries-and-charging/deep-cycle-battery-faq.html :


Exide never uses the phrase deep cycle in any of their literature with respect to the golf cart batteries. 

{snip}

There can only be one reason for that - because they're not.

Just because a battery is labeled "golf cart" it is not necessarily deep cycle.  It just means it's a certain size. 

{snip}

It seems to be a common assumption that they would be deep cycle for a golf cart application but at the end of the day that is still only an assumption, isn't it?

I specifically said SIX VOLT golf cart batteries. Read that again...SIX VOLT. Again, SIX VOLT golf cart batteries.  

With all due respect to NAWS, true golf cart batteries come in a range of sizes and capacities, and in 6v, 8v, and 12v ratings.

I will say this again: SIX VOLT golf cart batteries are (or should be) deep cycle. Adding the words 'deep cycle' to a SIX volt golf cart battery is redundant, but they do it in some cases since consumers may not know that they are ALL essentially deep cycle in that voltage rating, and because RVers often look for the words 'deep cycle' when they go shopping for 6v batteries. 

There is likely no reason to make a 6 volt battery for 'starting' an engine. (yes it can be used that way in series with another 6v battery but that is not the intended use, other than starting a small genset in an RV)

Since golf cart batteries are also available in 8 volt ratings, and in a variety of sizes, I seriously doubt that an 8 volt battery would be a starter battery. It should also be deep cycle whether that is printed on the label or not. 

And yes, GC2 is a spec for size, but I did not say GC2,  I said and was referring to the broad category of 6 volt golf cart batteries.

You can find this information in lots of places.

Here are a few:

https://www.golf-carts-etc.com/golf-cart-batteries.html

https://www.interstatebatteries.com/recreation-vehicles/golf-cart-batteries

https://batteryasking.com/best-golf...s-and-gas-golf-carts-need-different-batteries

And here, you will notice the Optima TWELVE VOLT (12v) golf cart battery IS a starting battery...because it's 12 volts and STARTS a gas engine golf cart: 

https://batteryasking.com/best-golf-cart-batteries/#best-golf-cart-batteries-6-volt

https://deepcyclebatterystore.com/golf-cart-battery/

Exide list several sizes of golf cart batteries: GC2, GC8, GC-110, GC-135, GC-145, GC8V-110, GC8V8-118, and CG26, that last one being a 12v starter battery. Other than the 12v starting battery, these can all be considered 'deep cycle'...although they have differing capacities and prices. 

https://www.exide.com/us/en/product/exide-xtra-golf-cart

Trojan also list several golf cart battery sizes: J305P-AC, T-105, T-125, T-145, T-605, several 8v golf cart batteries, and even a few 12v golf cart batteries:

https://www.trojanbattery.com/markets/golf-utility-vehicle/

So, depsite what NAWS says, golf cart batteries are NOT all one size... golf cart batteries are a range of battery sizes designed for deep cycle golf cart use.

Again, to be clear, a SIX volt golf cart battery of any size or dimension or identifier, normally available off-the-shelf, is, or SHOULD be, deep cycle.

And again, capacities, warranties, and prices will vary.

 

[Gr8ful]

Just to confirm, if I'm wrong I'll admit it so I called Donna in customer sevice, transportation dept at Exide & asked if their 6v golf cart batteries were all deep cycle. She said yes so I asked why didn't they say deep cycle & she said everyone knows golf cart batteries are deep cycle & went on to explain the thicker plates, etc. Here's an ad for energizer "car" batteries https://www.energizerautomotivebatteries.com/products/car-batteries/ & I don't even know what a "luxury saloon" has to do with a battery but reading this I can't use these in my pickup with a V6 as it's not a "car" & the ad says car even if it's the right size & specs, most car battery don't say anything as they expect the salesman, end user or installer to know what a battery is for. Here's a link to Exides phone # 1.678.566.9000 & their website https://www.exide.com/us/en/contact-us so you can e-mail them the same question. I think this silly debate was splitting hairs & really hope this will settle it. Thanks! Eric

 

[tx2sturgis]

 she said  everyone knows golf cart batteries are deep cycle & went on to explain the thicker plates, etc.

That's what I said also, but you drilled deep and got it straight from the manufacturer. Kudos for that.

 

[Gr8ful]

The phrase "deep cycle" has been added by golf-carts-etc.com.  It is not part of Exide's description.  It sounds like another case of a mistaken assumption that just because it's described as "golf cart" means it absolutely MUST be deep cycle.

If you look at Exide's own web page, https://www.exide.com/us/en/product/exide-xtra-golf-cart they quite conspicuously NEVER use the phrase.  They quite prominently use the phrase in the literature for the other batteries they offer that ARE true deep cycle: https://www.exide.com/us/en/product/exide-nautilus-deep-cycle.

He doesn't sell Exide which like the bunny brand are sold to discounters so I see why he'd not recomend going to a farm store to by your batteries that cost less than his.



Being deep cycle is a very desirable quality for a selling point.  They would surely utilize the phrase if it properly applied.  But their own manufacturer does NOT use the phrase.  And there has to be a reason for that.

 

[RVTravel]

Thanks gr8ful..