Without going to some exotic stuff like Surette or something like it, Trojan
is amongst the best out there. You do pay a premium though. The GC2 battery
size is very common and amongst most brands there are two or three choices
in addition to different terminal configurations. In the Trojan bran alone
there is the T-105, T125, and T-145. The T-145 is a high capacity-high acid
battery that really pack a punch at 160 A/H. This battery operates at a
slightly higher voltage (higher acid concentration) across the full range of
use.

To me going to this size is a bit much for inside the Vanagon. At some point
these do need to charged to the point of off gassing and you can make a lot
of gas and even some spray with these batteries. You should put in a closed
box with outside venting. My motor home has 4 of the t-105's in a separate
box outside and when they are near the end of the charge cycle the propane
alarm inside will let you know. Usually about 3-4 AM.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Rocket J Squirrel
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 4:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Good pricing, T105 golf cart batteries? [EDIT}

I pretty much killed my van's Trojan SCS225 130 amp-hour house battery last
winter by letting it discharge down to 7 volts.

I could replace it with another SCS225 for $200, but I'm thinking of going
to a pair of GC2 or T105 golf cart types (need two to wire in series to get
12 volts) to get 225 amp hours. Yee haw.

Recommendations on brands, and who's got some good pricing? I don't have a
Sam's Club within 100 miles.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.