Good battery source in Metro ATL, a current deal, and a weird obeservation.

[Lilburner]

I've heard people in ARES and Ham Club talk about a place on Buford Highway in Gwinnett called Voltex as a good source for batteries. What I hear is "Call them up and ask if they have any blems or seconds". After hearing a guy going up there the other day and getting a 90ah AGM for $75, I decided I'd try my hand. Apparently most of the blem deals are one offs, and you don't know what you'll get.

I told them I was looking for an AGM between 75 and 150ah. He said they 79ah for $69. ($300-ish some places). Sold! I went up  there and got two. they have two pallets of them, so they should have them for a while if you're in the market.

It's $11 more if you don't have an exchange, but you can keep your invoice and bring back your exchange at a later date.

The weird observation is that all the batteries in the distribution center are unbranded. They stick the brand name on them in the shipping area. I saw labels for Deka, Duracell, AAA, Champion, and a few others. Kind of throws brand loyalty out the window for batteries!

[SS-Preppers]

Lilburner - can you post a pic of the batter........what is the voltage and general dimensions?

[Country Singer]

Looks like I'm going to have to make a trip to the ATL.

[Lilburner]

Lilburner - can you post a pic of the batter........what is the voltage and general dimensions?

They're Type 24. The two as shown are 11x13x9, so 11x6.5x9 (roughly - just slapping a tape on and rounding). Type 24 might be an exact spec. Note the no labels.

These have a funky female terminal, which I later realized for jumpering them together is actually a plus, the cables and eyelets can lay flat.

[Lilburner]

Looks like I'm going to have to make a trip to the ATL.

I could bring a few to the campout, if you wanted to PayPal and not do a core exchange.

Beyond a few, though,  I'd have to start thinking about weight since I'm towing. So I couldn't bring like 10.

[wiseguy]

What qualifies them as "2nd's".  I assume that voltage and amperage is still good for these batteries.  Hoping its just damaged (but not leaking) packaging. 

[Lilburner]

According to the guy I bought it from, either cosmetic imperfection or 18 months since manufacture. Being highly specialized and available in considerable quantity, I'm assuming this batch are the latter.

[SS-Preppers]

Type 24 means that it is a 12 volt deep cycle.........

There are like 7 or 8 different "Types" for 12 volt deep cycle......so if you know the type then you know approximately what you are getting........

I will give them a call.......I need some Type GC2 for my Golf Cart.........

BTW - that is a killer price for Type 24 AGMs.........I am pretty sure the ones you got are marketed as MK Battery, Model E27SLDA.......that's a 92 ah, 12v that goes for a good $300+ retail..........they are made by East Penn who also makes Deka (the gold standard in most battery categories in my opinion)....

[SS-Preppers]

Ok.....I called them......they are owned by East Penn.........hence the labels laying around........

[Lilburner]

Two notable labels missing were Interstate and Die Hard, so I guess they make their own, and these people make everyone else's?

Did they have what you needed?

[SS-Preppers]

Two notable labels missing were Interstate and Die Hard, so I guess they make their own, and these people make everyone else's?

Did they have what you needed?

As I understand, there are only a handful of battery manufacturers...........for cranking batteries you have about 3 companies and for deep cell there are 3 or 4 (with some overlap)..............they started out as separate companies, but have been bought up over time to consolidate.

Yes......they did have the batteries I was looking for, but no 2nds, so I can still get them cheaper from Batteries Plus.

For what you paid for those 24s I am temped to get a couple for a solar project.

Good looking out for such a deal.