Golf Cart Batteries
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9760
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 2:27pm
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Topic: Golf Cart Batteries
Posted By: sailor323
Subject: Golf Cart Batteries
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 4:58pm
| There is no doubt that GC batteries are better than the typical group 24 or group 27 batteries usually found on the pod. The usual GC battery is the Trojan 105 or equivalent. This is good, but there is a better choice. Two Trojan 105s provide 225 amp hours of storage. Consider the Trojan 145s that provide 265 amp hours of storage in the same footprint. The 145 is just a bit taller than the 105. The additional 40 amp hours of storage are worth the additional expense. I wish I had known this before buying the 105s |
Replies:
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 6:01pm
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Are you boondocking? Do you have a solar panel? I ask because my plan was to get two T-105's , previously I had two 12 volt Interstate batteries. No problems for a weekend, but I was interested in going a full week, and not use a generator at all if possible (relying on solar charging). I don't think I would need to use the furnace, I would use a portable ceramic propane heater (MrBuddy Heater) instead (uses no electricity) and crack a couple windows and the vent. I've done it before and it works great. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 6:27pm
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We really like our buddy heater, we use in the camper and the fishing shanty. Works great!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 7:41pm
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The cheap price on Amazon for the T145 is $309 -- $189 + $120 shipping. A Duracell Ultra 255 ah is $196 with a 10% discount (about $176 total per battery) if picked up in store at Batteries + Bulbs. There may be better prices for the T145, I haven't looked very hard, but 2 T145 come to $618 vs $352 for two Duracells. You could almost get 2 Duracells and a 100w Renolgy solar suitcase for the price of two Trojans. I don't know much about batteries, so which is the better deal? TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 9:06pm
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Two T-105's is a LOT of capacity if you don't use the furnace. And much cheaper too. Have to watch out for the additional weight as well, one regular 12 volt marine/RV battery is about 48 pounds ( 96 pounds for two) . Use two T-105 is 62 pounds each (124 pounds) .A T-145 is 72 pounds each (144 pounds). It adds up fast. And it goes to the hitch tongue weight. Watch your hitch safe tow limits!! ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 9:21pm
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We are beginning year #7 on our 2 group size 24 12v deep cycle batteries. During a boondocking campout we expect 3 days minimum from each battery and that is when we camp when the furnace gets used quite a bit (night temps 40's and 50's). When these go bad we will most likely go to 2 6v or 2 12v golf cart batteries. Looking at amp hours for each, price, and of course total weight. Will report back when results come in.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 9:31pm
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I went with dual http://www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell-golf-car-battery-group-size-egc2/prod3590220.ip - Duracell's (Deka) back in 2014. Couldn't be happier...so far. As far as heat goes, I have both the Buddy and just recently got Lil Buddy. Lil buddy (3800 BTU) is a better fit inside pod. Buddy (4000-9000 BTU) will blast you out. Both are capable of hooking up to larger tanks than the one pounders. I do use and refill the one pounders for convenience, but I like the larger tank option for longer run time. fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 9:45pm
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My Duracell batteries have held up well since we bought them in December, 2015. On our last trip, after our propane hose went bad and left us without heat, I picked up a Lil Buddy. It went back for the simple reason that it is top-heavy when used with the one-pound bottles. Back when the base of the bottles was made of metal, it would probably have wirked. Now that the new bottles come with a plastic ring, I could not get it to reliably sit upright. It kept falling over. That was unacceptable and indicates a design flaw if it will not stay upright. I now have the Mr. Buddy Portable (4000-9000) unit. I agree that it is a bit much for the 'Pod, but it will at least stay upright and not fall over. The thing is that if Mr. Buddy would simply make the base bigger and the socket for the tank deeper, it would probably fix the issues I was having with it. I was not disappointed with the performance and would have kept it if not for it falling over almost every time I tried to use it. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 12:59pm
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You're right Stephen. The Lil Buddy does seem a little top heavy. My https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Bottle-Top-Propane-Stove/dp/B0009PUR5E - Coleman Burner feels the same with a big pot on it.. One solution is a wider base like this: http://www.amazon.com/Stansport-194-B-Propane-Cylinder-Base/dp/B001DC7FPM - https://www.amazon.com/Stansport-194-B-Propane-Cylinder-Base/dp/B001DC7FPM The one pounders I have don't have the plastic ring, so maybe that helps.
Or, for a few bucks you can make up a tank adapter for stability and much longer (and cheaper) run time. This is a https://www.amazon.com/Worthington-281149-1-Gallon-Cylinder-Prevention/dp/B000SKX63U - one gallon tank - good for 4+ one pounders.  ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 3:06pm
| How much ventilation - fresh air does one need to run the little buddy? I used to use one in our tent trailer but fresh air was not a concern in that rig.... |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 3:27pm
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IMO, no more ventilation needed than two adults and pod furnace. The Buddy heater's byproduct is CO2, has both tip and oxygen sensors. Basically, if it's raining inside your pod, you need more air. Disclaimer: I'm not a scientist even though I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 3:47pm
Fred, In a perfect world you're correct. Two adults use O2 and produce CO2. The onboard furnace uses and produces nothing since its combustion chamber draws from and exhausts to the outside. However, in the imperfect world of reality the Buddy may produce carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion. CO is deadly and odorless. I never worried about similar heaters in a tent but would in a sealed hard sided camper. The Buddy also produces water vapor that adds to condensation. Crack a window and the ceiling vent. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 4:15pm
Thank you Charlie for your more thorough response. It would be wise to crack a window and open bathroom vent. We usually have to just cuz it gets a bit warm or moist inside anyway. I bet you never siphoned gas with a piece of garden hose from a '68 Dodge dart either!  fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 5:38pm
Correcto! ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 5:57pm
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I never did with a '68 Dodge Dart but I did with a '57 Dodge Custom Royal D-500 AND a '64 Dodge Polara 500, that gas, nowadays called recreational (RV) gas smells, but not necessarily tastes a whole lot better than the newer gas with ethanol
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 6:45pm
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+1 to CharlieM, a propane heater creates condensation. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 6:48pm
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+2, speaking from experience.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 7:26pm
Sorry, don't mean to distract, but I just had a serious flashback of gasoline, rebuilding a Holly 4-barrell and stressing about picking up my high school date smelling like gasoline, permatex and marlborors. Not sure which one was worse for me - probably the date. Anybody ever towed with a GTO? Carry on... fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 7:41pm
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ZZ Top - I ran into my baby, she was wearing my bluejeans, I could tell they were mine from the smell of oil and gasoline :)
I have towed with a 48 Plymouth sedan. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 7:54pm
Ha!!! That's great! '58 Edsel is the oldest I ever played with (loved the push button transmission). Somebody mess with the logs in the fire! It's Saturday night! Back to your regular scheduled programming.... fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 7:57pm
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Kinda funny, spend all that time working on the Offenhauser carbs, (took out the stock 4 bbl Carter's) smelled like gas and go pick up your date. Could care less about the radio, couldn't hear it anyway over the rumble of the wedge hemi with glass pac mufflers.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 8:08pm
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I just saw you can still buy https://www.amazon.com/Thrush-24214-Glass-Pack-Muffler/dp/B00029J3KM - Thrush Glass Packs ! That was a sweet sound on my friend's '67 Chevelle! It was fun messing with that stuff. Now I look under the hood and am soo happy to have a local young mechanic with good computer...and common sense. fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 8:20pm
| Yes, we have 2 135 watt panels. I have the 105s on the pod, but learned about the 145s when I replaced the batteries on the boat. Sure wish I had known about them when I got the batteries for the pod. The 145s will fit in the same box as the 105s |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 8:22pm
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Who actually mail orders batteries? Shipping will kill you. Go to a golf cart dealer. I bought 2 145s for $320 at a marine supply. |