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A cabin battery bank that fades before dawn leaves the lights dim and the fridge warm, and lead acid battery price is the question that follows once a replacement is on the list. The price follows what is inside the battery: its type, its capacity, its voltage, its warranty and how many come in the pack. This guide explains each of those drivers with the batteries below as examples, so the price can be judged on the specs rather than the headline alone.
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The quick answer: lead acid battery price
The price of a lead acid battery follows its type, its capacity in amp-hours, its voltage, its warranty term and its pack size. Flooded deep-cycle batteries such as the Trojan T-105 and T-125 carry large capacities at 6V, while sealed AGM batteries such as the Mighty Max ML35-12 and the PowerStar 45Ah (on Amazon) pack the same voltage in a smaller sealed case. A larger capacity and a longer warranty add to the price, and a pack of several batteries costs more than a single battery. Compare the figures in the table below before judging a price, since a battery with a different capacity or warranty is a different purchase.
Step 1: Pick the type: flooded, sealed or AGM
Lead acid batteries come in flooded and sealed types, and the type shapes the price and the care the battery needs. Flooded batteries such as the Trojan T-105, the Trojan T-125, the U.S. Battery US1800XC2 (on Amazon) and the Crown CR-235 and CR-GC150 hold liquid electrolyte and have service caps for routine maintenance. Sealed batteries such as the Mighty Max ML35-12 and the PowerStar 45Ah use AGM technology, need no maintenance, and mount in any position. The Mighty Max listing states UL certification, and the PowerStar listing states built-in carrying handles. Flooded batteries suit a fixed bank with room for service access, while sealed batteries suit a tight space where maintenance access is hard. See what deep cycle means for the deep-cycle side of the choice.
Step 2: Read the capacity and the voltage
Capacity in amp-hours sets how much charge a battery holds, and voltage sets what it can run. The table below lines up the reference batteries on type, voltage, capacity and warranty. Capacities here run from 35Ah on the Mighty Max ML35-12 to 240Ah on the Trojan T-125, with the PowerStar at 45Ah, the Crown CR-GC150 at 150Ah, the U.S. Battery US1800XC2 at 208Ah, the Trojan T-105 at 225Ah and the Crown CR-235 at 235Ah. Voltage splits across 6V and 12V: the Trojan and U.S. Battery units and the Crown CR-235 are 6V, while the Mighty Max, PowerStar and Crown CR-GC150 are 12V. A 6V battery wires in series with others to reach the system voltage: the Crown CR-235 is designed for series wiring in 12V, 24V, 36V, or 48V systems. Capacity also depends on the discharge rate: the U.S. Battery US1800XC2 lists 157Ah at the 5-hour rate and 208Ah at the 20-hour rate, so compare amp-hours at the same rate. See deep cycle battery sizes for group sizes and dimensions.
| Battery | Type | Voltage | Capacity | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Max ML35-12 | Sealed SLA | 12V | 35Ah | 1 Year |
| PowerStar 12V 45Ah | Sealed AGM | 12V | 45Ah | 2 Year |
| Trojan T-125 | Flooded | 6V | 240Ah | 18 Months |
| Trojan T-105 | Flooded | 6V | 225Ah | 18 Months |
| U.S. Battery US1800XC2 | Flooded | 6V | 208Ah | 12 Month |
| Crown CR-GC150 | Flooded | 12V | 150Ah | 12 Month |
| Crown CR-235 | Flooded | 6V | 235Ah | 12 Month |
Step 3: Compare the warranty and the weight
Warranty terms differ across these batteries, and the term is part of the price. The Mighty Max ML35-12 lists a 1 year warranty, the PowerStar lists a 2 year warranty, the Trojan T-105 and T-125 list an 18-month replacement warranty, and the U.S. Battery US1800XC2 and the Crown batteries list a 12 month manufacturer warranty. Weight follows capacity: the 35Ah Mighty Max weighs 23.0 pounds, the 45Ah PowerStar weighs 32.0 pounds, and the 150Ah Crown CR-GC150 weighs 81.0 pounds. Check the weight against the battery box and the lifting, since a heavier battery needs a sturdier mount and help with the lifting.
Step 4: Count the pack
Several of these batteries sell as a pack, and the pack size changes the comparison. The Mighty Max ML35-12 and the Trojan T-125 come as a pack of 2, the U.S. Battery US1800XC2 and the Crown CR-GC150 and CR-235 come as a pack of 4, and the Trojan T-105 and the Crown CR-235 come as a pack of 6. A pack price covers several batteries, so compare the capacity and warranty of each battery in the pack rather than the pack total alone. Check how many batteries the bank needs before buying, and see marine battery prices and what the figures mean for how to read a battery price.
Ways to make a lead acid battery last longer
- Keep the terminals clean and tight, and check the connections as the manual says.
- On flooded batteries, check the service caps and the electrolyte as the manual says, and top up only as the manual directs.
- Keep the battery charged rather than letting it sit empty, and recharge after a deep discharge.
- Store the battery in a cool, dry place when it is out of use, and keep it away from heat.
- Match the charger to the battery type, since flooded and AGM batteries charge differently.
FAQ: power away from the grid
What does a lead acid battery cost?
No single figure answers that, since the price follows type, capacity, voltage, warranty and pack size. Compare the batteries here on those figures, from the 35Ah Mighty Max ML35-12 to the 240Ah Trojan T-125, and weigh the warranty alongside the capacity.
What is the difference between flooded and sealed lead acid batteries?
Flooded batteries hold liquid electrolyte and have service caps for routine maintenance, as on the Crown CR-GC150. Sealed AGM batteries need no maintenance and mount in any position, as on the Mighty Max ML35-12 and the PowerStar 45Ah. Flooded batteries suit a fixed bank with service access, while sealed batteries suit a tight space.
How long does a lead acid battery last?
The warranty terms here run from a 12 month manufacturer warranty to a 2 year warranty, with the Trojan batteries at 18 months in between. Warranty length is the maker’s own figure for coverage, so read the term on the battery you buy.
Can 6V batteries run a 12V system?
Yes, wired in series. The Crown CR-235 is designed for series wiring in 12V, 24V, 36V, or 48V systems, so 6V batteries join in series to reach the system voltage. Check the system voltage and the manual before wiring.
What does amp-hour mean?
Amp-hour is the capacity figure: a higher amp-hour figure means more charge stored. The Mighty Max ML35-12 holds 35Ah and the Trojan T-125 holds 240Ah, so compare amp-hours at the same discharge rate, as the U.S. Battery US1800XC2 shows with 157Ah at the 5-hour rate and 208Ah at the 20-hour rate.
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