Best 6V AGM Battery Replacement Options for 2015 Adventurous RS

[zzfranczz]

I have a 2015 Adventurous RS with 4 house batteries. I need to replace them at the very least and was wondering of anyone has used 2015 VMAX batteries as their house batteries.

Vmax Battery Option

Am also looking at this battery as an option:
Duracell Battery Option


I currently have Interstates and was looking at the fullriver and the VMAX came up as an option. Seems like they have been around for a while but I had never heard of them. Just wanted to get some thoughts on them before I pulled the trigger on new batteries. TIA.

Spec	VMAX XTR6‑235	Fullriver DC224‑6	Interstate GC2‑HD‑AGM
Voltage	6V	6V	6V
Capacity (C20)	235Ah	224Ah	210Ah

 

[@Michael]

AFAIK, if you buy a battery that is made in USA by East Penn/Deka or what used to be Johnson Controls, you'll get a decent enough battery. I normally buy from a local source that will warranty the battery locally - farm supply stores, the local Interstate Battery distributor, etc.

Around here, a 6v GC2 is around $250.

--Mike

 

[booster]

AFAIK, if you buy a battery that is made in USA by East Penn/Deka or what used to be Johnson Controls, you'll get a decent enough battery. I normally buy from a local source that will warranty the battery locally - farm supply stores, the local Interstate Battery distributor, etc.

Around here, a 6v GC2 is around $250.

--Mike

Totally agree on the East Penn batteries, but there are rumors that even they are starting to outsource so the USA on battery is getting to be more important.

Johnson Controls seems to be fading a bit and it now appears that both Costco and Interstate are not Johnson batteries anymore. After two very short life Costco ones, I looked in to it and found they were switching to Exide batteries, which is totally junk IMO. Same with Interstate who reviews really show the change.

I now get only NAPA batteries that are confirmed as being East Penn and have had zero issues since.

 

[zzfranczz]

good to in know and thank you. My Costco batteries have not lasted full life. I have had them fail within 2 years. The good thing is that Costco swaps them out, it is just the inconvenience of getting a new one. As far as I can tell the Vmax Hq is in Michigan but made over seas. The GC2 in my area are running $450-480 so I am looking for an alternative. Full River is $480 plus, the Vmax is $339. The other brand I am considering is Duracell.

 

[booster]

good to in know and thank you. My Costco batteries have not lasted full life. I have had them fail within 2 years. The good thing is that Costco swaps them out, it is just the inconvenience of getting a new one. As far as I can tell the Vmax Hq is in Michigan but made over seas. The GC2 in my area are running $450-480 so I am looking for an alternative. Full River is $480 plus, the Vmax is $339. The other brand I am considering is Duracell.

IIRC, the Vmax (I think it was originally VmaxTank) came out to large fanfare maybe 10 years ago with lots of hugely favorable reviews, but of course they may have been fake ones with things the way they are now. I think they are tppl batteries and that tech was getting a lot of attention, but that has faded now. Not bad, just different I think.

Like all AGM stuff now, they have faded to the background of battery discussions and I haven't heard them mentioned in a long time.

Full River is a good brand, but Duracell has had some issues I think as they probably are just a private label product for another manufacturer.

 

[zzfranczz]

IIRC, the Vmax (I think it was originally VmaxTank) came out to large fanfare maybe 10 years ago with lots of hugely favorable reviews, but of course they may have been fake ones with things the way they are now. I think they are tppl batteries and that tech was getting a lot of attention, but that has faded now. Not bad, just different I think.

Like all AGM stuff now, they have faded to the background of battery discussions and I haven't heard them mentioned in a long time.

Full River is a good brand, but Duracell has had some issues I think as they probably are just a private label product for another manufacturer.

Was researching Duracell sold by Batteries plus. They were made by East Penn, but that now seems to be debatable. Not certain if they still are. Everything still points to them being East Penn.

 

[zzfranczz]

I used AI to see if I can pull this all together and this is where I am at.

2. Cycle‑Life Interpretation (What the Numbers Mean)

500–700 cycles (East Penn builds: Duracell, Interstate, Deka, MK)

• Solid mid‑range AGM performance.
• Typical lifespan: 3–5 years in golf cart / RV house use.
• Best for users prioritizing reliability and U.S. manufacturing.

900 cycles (VMAX XTR6‑235)

• Higher‑capacity plates and denser AGM mat.
• Good balance of cost and longevity.
• Typical lifespan: 4–6 years depending on depth of discharge.

1000+ cycles (Fullriver DC224‑6)

• Thickest plates in the group.
• Best long‑term value despite higher upfront cost.
• Typical lifespan: 5–7 years with proper charging.

3. Manufacturer Notes (Why Cycle Life Differs)
East Penn (Deka)

• Conservative AGM design.
• Prioritizes reliability and heat tolerance over maximum cycle count.

Fullriver

• Uses heavier plates and higher lead content.
• Designed for industrial deep‑cycle duty (floor scrubbers, lifts, solar).

VMAX

• Uses military‑grade AGM mat and higher density plates.
• Strong cycle life but shorter warranty.

4. Best Choice by Priority

• Longest lifespan / lowest cost per cycle → Fullriver DC224‑6
• Highest capacity + strong cycle life → VMAX XTR6‑235
• Best U.S.‑made value → Duracell SLIGC6VAGM
• Lowest cost among East Penn builds → MK 8AGC2
• Brand consistency (all East Penn) → Duracell / Interstate / Deka / MK

 

[booster]

AI looks at all information and a lot of the time it will zero in on old stuff because there is more of it.

The for sure correct is that the Deka is tied to East Penn because East Penn created Deka. The Deka batteries are the same as they always have been and considered a good brand.

Interstate has gone to Exide on the wet cells, but unconfirmed about the AGMs. Costco the same as they were using Interstate before the change to Exide from Johnson controls.

Of course all of this could have changed if Interstate and Costco got too many Exide built batteries returned.

 

[GeorgeRad]

I am on the second set of 115Ah/12V x 2 Fullrivers, first one lasted 11 years.

 

[MarCorpsMustang]

I have a 2015 Adventurous RS with 4 house batteries. I need to replace them at the very least and was wondering of anyone has used 2015 VMAX batteries as their house batteries.

Vmax Battery Option

Am also looking at this battery as an option:
Duracell Battery Option


I currently have Interstates and was looking at the fullriver and the VMAX came up as an option. Seems like they have been around for a while but I had never heard of them. Just wanted to get some thoughts on them before I pulled the trigger on new batteries. TIA.

Spec	VMAX XTR6‑235	Fullriver DC224‑6	Interstate GC2‑HD‑AGM
Voltage	6V	6V	6V
Capacity (C20)	235Ah	224Ah	210Ah

Where to you place four house batteries? I can barely find room for one under the hood of my 2014 CS Adventurous.

 

[zzfranczz]

 

[otr]

Just to add more to the conversation, this is what is in my 2019 RT Simplicity SRT

AGM specs Discover Battery Traction industrial series

Dry Cell AGM Traction Industrial Batteries | Discover Battery

discoverbattery.com

 

[GeorgeRad]

Just to add more to the conversation, this is what is in my 2019 RT Simplicity SRT

AGM specs Discover Battery Traction industrial series

Dry Cell AGM Traction Industrial Batteries | Discover Battery

discoverbattery.com

I review the Dry Cell AGM video and couldn’t figure out what is the difference between AGM and Dry Cell AGM, the presenter compared his Dry Cell AGM to flooded lead acid. I am not questioning that these batteries could be good, by Dry Cell added to AGM is just a marketing wisdom as far I understood his talk.

 

[zzfranczz]

I review the Dry Cell AGM video and couldn’t figure out what is the difference between AGM and Dry Cell AGM, the presenter compared his Dry Cell AGM to flooded lead acid. I am not questioning that these batteries could be good, by Dry Cell added to AGM is just a marketing wisdom as far I understood his talk.

Quickly researching it, Dry Cell MFG seems to be an advanced form of manufacturing. Seems that most mfg'ers do not use it. Tesla seems to be leading the way in their batteries. As far as AGM most mfg'ers seem to use some slurry method and letting it dry. Dry Cell seems to be a better way that cuts costs and the use of chemicals in the process. Just the 60 second Google AI analysis. In theory it is better. Cost I can see it from $459-$599. Not certain how you get one though. Will watch this and thanks for the lead,