[ausev] Batteries not included... Ouch! :(

[k.douglass at earthlink.net]

Anybody have a comment on US battery products?

-----Original Message-----
>From: Mark Farver <mfarver at mindbent.org>
>Sent: Dec 8, 2008 7:37 PM
>To: vern at txis.com, AustinEV News Announcements and General Discussion <ausev at austinev.org>
>Subject: Re: [ausev] Batteries not included... Ouch! :(
>
>Batteries have gotten expensive in the last few years, but they are
>not something you purchase from the internet.  $279 is pretty high and
>the shipping will be even worse.
>
>I would not recommend Walmart or Costco batteries, the quality is low,
>and you don't want to spend all of your time installing/removing "free
>1 year replacement" batteries.
>
>My first recommendation would be the Interstate Battery on Burleson
>Rd.  Ask for the manager (Todd?) and tell him you are from the Austin
>Area Electric Vehicle group and need 6 batteries equalivlent to the
>SCS225.  He should be able to get your a little better deal.  You must
>deal with the store on Burleson, the other Interstate battery stores
>in town buy wholesale from the store on Burleson.
>
>The other person to try is Larry at Comel Golf Cart in New Braunfels.
>His price in the past hasn't been better than Interstate, but he is
>really eager to earn AustinEV's business.  He might be able to help,
>and stocks both Trojan and Exide IIRC.
>
>If you can get the car cleaned up and (maybe) running, I suspect you
>could get a decent amount selling it as a movie collectible on ebay.
>
>Mark
>
>
>On Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 7:03 PM, Vern Graner <vern at txis.com> wrote:
>> Ok, so I guess I should have done a bit of research before I took
>> delivery on a "batteries not included" EV. :) Seems the GEM E4 car
>> requires six of these puppies:
>>
>> http://solardyne.stores.yahoo.net/trojdeepcycb3.html
>>
>> at $279.00 times six, that's $1674.00 plus shipping! wow. :(
>>
>> So, two quick questions:
>>
>> 1) Anyone know if I can get these cheaper (maybe local)?
>>
>> 2) What would happen if I just put six 12v wal-mart/costco car batteries
>> in there?
>>
>> As far as question #2 above, the intended use of the GEM car is to be a
>> run-about for around our property here in Dripping Springs.
>>
>> We envision using it for stuff like running to the end of the fairly
>> long driveway to fetch the mail, run the trash cans out to the curb, let
>> the kids drive it around for fun, maybe taking it out to a MAKER FAIRE,
>> a local parade or DORKBOT on occasion, that sort of thing. :)
>>
>> Since I don't foresee us using it as a "commuter car", do we really need
>> the pricey batteries?
>>
>> Vern
>>
>> --
>> Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE    | "If the network is down, then you're
>> Senior Systems Engineer    | obviously incompetent so why are we
>> Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
>> http://www.txis.com        | is up, then we obviously don't need
>> Austin Office 512 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" (c)VLG
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