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

[Mark Farver]

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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