Anyone use AJC batteries?

[BigT51]

I'm needing to replace my lead acid batteries on the boat and would like to switch to AGM. I found really good price on AJC brand batteries but don't know anything about them. Anyone have any experience with this brand?

https://batteryclerk.com/products/ajc-group-27m-dual-purpose-starting-and-deep-cycle-rv-marine-and-boat-battery

 

[BlueBulls]

I'm getting pretty good at researching these sleazy battery companies...

AJC is a private brand that belongs to and distributed solely by Batteryclerk LLC of Delray Beach, FL. Batteryclerk was founded in 2012 in NJ using an address that is, at least now, an Enterprise Car Rental - they must have done well, in 2021 they moved to Florida and registered in a nice residential apartment building. Batteryclerk imports 'custom' branded batteries from manufacturers in China and Vietnam - the AJC battery you referenced appears to be an ES90-12 manufactured by Sheng Chang Tech Co in Vietnam - I couldn't find a data sheet for the ES90-12 but you can compare the datasheets from another Sheng Chang product and Batteryclerk and see the obvious similarity:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0005/3175/9163/files/AJC-SLI-27M.pdf?v=1609443155

https://lcb.tw/resources/uploads/GEL100_12_ver_18.pdf

Reviews are mixed...customers obviously receive what they order but there's a substantial difference between 'getting the job done' and 'high quality'. I would also question the technology - 'SLI' and 'AGM' seem to be usually kept separated by the industry - X2 Power seems to make one (that is honestly probably the same battery at twice the price) and every other search result leads to AJC. But I'm not an engineer so...

You will get what you pay for - and based on the price point and nature of the company I don't think that will be much. In a year you'll be disposing of 66 pounds of lead waste and shopping all over again. For the price and reputation I think I personally would go with a well-known brand like Trojan:

https://advantagebatteries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Trojan_27-AGM_Advantage_Batteries.pdf

Trojan 27-AGM Battery on Sale | Advantage Batteries

The Trojan 27-AGM 12V Dual Purpose AGM Battery by Trojan Batteries is an industry leading Dual Purpose AGM Battery with multiple terminal options to fit your application. [mas_static_content id="6910"]

advantagebatteries.com

And after all that, I think I'm actually ordering two of those in the spring

 

[Judge]

The Duracell Group 27M 12V 100AH 620CCA AGM Deep Cycle Marine is a great battery. I have two of them in my 275D and they work great. If your order online and pick up in store, you can get a 10% discount. Batteries Plus also runs sales where they can can be 15% - 20% off as well. It also has a 30-month warranty.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/battery/marine-and-boat/deep-cycle/sli27magmdc

 

[Judge]

I mentioned that Batteries Plus often has 15 - 20% off sales. A 15% sale just hit in case anyone is interested in the Duracell AGM Marine Batteries.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/promotions?tab=promotions#promo-00-link

 

[BigT51]

Sam's Club has basically has the same battery (although warranty is only 18 months) for $199. I believe I saw somewhere that Duracell said it was the same battery. Not sure why the warranty is drastically different if it's the same one.