Where to buy sealed/AGM Goup 26 battery?

[MSLV70]

I had my 15kw propane Generac serviced last week and the tech told me I needed a new battery because voltage was 10V and the battery cells had little water left in them. The battery was installed October 2003 so it is 4 years old. I added distilled water in the meantime while I searched for a new battery.

Further reading here on the website shows there might be a problem with overcharging the battery with the trickle charger and that a sealed battery may help here.

It was suggested to use a yellow top Optima battery but a recent email to Optima resulted in a disappointing response.

Thank you for your interest in Optima Batteries. Unfortunately we do not produce a group 26 battery. I am sorry to inform you of this. Please feel free to contact customer service at the number below if you have any other questions. Thank you for your interest and support of Optima Batteries.

Bridget
Optima Batteries
Customer Service
1.800.292.4359

So who makes a sealed or AGM group 26 battery and is it worth the hassle? I can check fluid levels monthly if needed but would prefer a truly "maintenance free" battery.

Thanks all.

[Gnmaples]

Dear MSLV70....Take a look at my post to the Starting Issue...Warranty thread (two threads down)

Group 25 batteries fit and work fine and are apparently much more available than Group 26. I believe someone else on here said that AutoZone had Group 26's, though. I use NAPA 'cause I get good no questions asked service from them.

Hope this helps. I'm also looking on here for some kind of final resolve from Kelly/Guardian on the charging question. In the meantime, I'm checking the water in my battery every 2-3 months.
Best to you!
gnmaples

[pcfrisch]

My Battery went out last week and I found a Group 26 Diehard at Kmart that is rated at 550 CCA. I don't have the model number off hand but it cost me around $80.00. Their Gold series is $100.00. They had a 26 and a 26R, I looked at the specs and couldn't find what the difference is. Same price.

[Kelly Myers]

A yellow top optima will fit if you take off the bracket above where the battery goes. You may also need to trim some metal inside off the air intake.

Group 26's are chosen because they fit. Many other batteries will fit without modification.

[MSLV70]

I bought a group 26 battery from Walmart. It was $37.86 and it comes with a one year warranty.

Before you say it's junk, look at the latest Consumer Reports. Walmart batteries are in the top 5 picks for batteries.

Besides, when I bought my generator almost four years ago, I bought the battery from WalMart. It lasted exactly 4 years and 1 month since I installed it.

I am sure the continuous trickle charge helps keep the battery in top shape. I have read about the overcharging issues some have had but I think the reason my water evaporated in the battery was because I never checked it. Honestly, I never checked the battery fluid level in over four years!

Not bad for a $37 dollar battery!

[WB5CCO]

Try Battery World for a Group 26 AGM. Not cheap, but well worth it in the long run. Better yet, just but an Optima red top.

[phils383]

The point of having a standby Generator is that it will work in an emergency! With that said dont skimp out on a cheep battery it will end up bitting you in the booboo in the long run. :D