A little more research on these 3" wide 22AH wheelchair batteries to look
very promising for us.

This one ....$35.50

http://www.batteriesasap.com/48.html

another source.....$32.00.

http://www.siliconsolar.com/Sealed-Gel-Cell-Batteries-12v-22-AH-p-69.html

....is distributed by a company called Universal Power Group.  It's
impossible to tell from the company website where they manufacturer them,
but I would be willing to bet lunch that it's China.

This one....$43.80

http://www.batteryspec.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?action=link&product=68

.....cost a bit more ...but is manufactured (pretty sure) by a good 'ole
US of A company ...right here in San Jose, CA, in fact.

http://www.tempestbatteries.com/html/products.html

Interestingly,  they make a 26AH model in the same size case (#BAB26-12),
but it's not listed on the www.batteryspec.com site.

Whad'ya think...."cheaper China" or "AMur'can"....can't tell what the
warranty differences are.

I'm leaning towards the American product....like the posts better...and
the company website inspires confidence.

Warren C