Importing batteries from USA

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 19, 2012 at 22:39

ThreadID: 96975 Views:3705 Replies:5 FollowUps:11

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Dennis Ellery

I need to purchase a couple of Yellowtop Optima or Concorde Batteries for my caravan.
Sometime ago an Exploroz member stated that he got his American batteries from the US at a fraction of the cost of those being sold in Australia.
Has anyone purchased Optima or Concorde Lifeline at a good discount from the US
Any help appreciatted - Thanks Dennis

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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 08:33

Reply By: TerraFirma - Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 11:57

Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 11:57

Dennis, I wouldn't think it would be ecomonical to do this. If you are only importing a couple of batteries the freight costs would be prohibitive. Batteries are purchased in volumes and sea freighted into the country, economies of scale at work here. IMO there are plenty of good buys to be had here. Whilst I acknowledge Concorde are a premium brand there are other brands such as Fullriver AGM's which have an excellent reputation and are very affordable. I would have no hesitation in buying Fullriver in lieu of Optima or Concorde, I have bought 6-7 Fullriver AGM batteries and some are now 6 years old and still going strong.

AnswerID: 491297

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 12:00

Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 12:00

Fullriver AGM Batteries

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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 12:28

Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 12:28

Thanks for the info TerraFirma.
I think you are right and it looks like I will buy locally
I have a Fullriver AGM in the Van now – it’s been a very good battery and after 4 or 5 years of use has shown no loss of capacity.
When the wife and I are camped up we have an Engel, Waeco and TV etc running off the batteries.
The 260 watt solar panels don’t keep up and I am now going for a couple of 75AH Optimas and a 80amp hour battery charger – the 2 Optimas, or if I went for the Concorde Lifeline, will accept this charge and on overcast days I will be able to fast charge the batteries from my genset in under an hour rather than 4 or 5 hours with the Fullriver.

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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 12:44

Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 12:44

Ops that should read 80 amp battery charge.
In fact these batteries would accept 200 amps if my charging equipment could supply it.

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Follow Up By: Janos K - Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 15:27

Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 15:27

Sorry to jump in , May i also add that some of the discounted batteries being sold online may in fact be quite old stock.
Dont take the risk , I would simply pop into one of the battery wholesalers and spend the extra bob or three.
If you purchase an older battery and try to use an inverter or fridge or any high powered device then the internal matting may in fact be porous and the capacity significantly reduced.

FollowupID: 766781

Follow Up By: PJR (NSW) - Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 15:41

Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 15:41

Please correct me if I am wrong but for years, and still so now, if you import something then you do not have any company warranty on it. I believe that warranty support is part of the import agreement between the local importer and the manufacturer.

FollowupID: 766784

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 16:24

Reply By: Lyn W3 - Saturday, Jul 21, 2012 at 20:57

Saturday, Jul 21, 2012 at 20:57

Be aware that Optima Batteries now are predomanently made in Mexico. While overall quality is good they are not what they used to be.

Also any batteries must be shipped by sea freight as it is illegal to send by air express. US post office no longer offers a sea mail service to Australia so if you did want to ship a couple of batteries the cost would be prohibitive to send through a freight forwarding company.

AnswerID: 491385

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jul 21, 2012 at 23:00

Saturday, Jul 21, 2012 at 23:00

I don't mind where they are made as long as their engineering specifications aren't altered. Where is your evidence that their quality has diminished?
Just got some quotes from America - they can freight batteries for about $50 each.
Even though I can get them about delivered approximately 15% cheaper than purchasing them in Australia, I have decided to buy local as the saving is not a big incentive for me.

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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jul 21, 2012 at 23:04

Saturday, Jul 21, 2012 at 23:04

Should have mentioned - freight was by the United States Postal Service

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Follow Up By: Lyn W3 - Sunday, Jul 22, 2012 at 07:41

Sunday, Jul 22, 2012 at 07:41

Hi Dennis,

I lived in the USA for 25 years and used Optima Batteries for about 15 years. Most of the USA made ones had a life span of 7-10 years, My battery supplier reported that some of the Mexican made batteries were breaking down at around 2 years and a few out of one batch were replaced under warranty at 12 months.

If you can get a postage rate of $50.00 a battery that's great. Here is a quote using all US Postal Services available to ship 40lbs from California to Queensland.

US Postal Rate for 40 lbs

I stand corrected that you can ship an AGM battery by air with the appropriate Hazardous Material declaration and packaging.

Thanks

Lyn

FollowupID: 766861

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Sunday, Jul 22, 2012 at 11:54

Sunday, Jul 22, 2012 at 11:54

Who was your supplier and what did they offer as an alternative that would accept high charge rates, and cylcle life equivilent to Optima or Concorde
This is the first I have heard about Optimas quality issue.
I will contact Optima to see if they can shed some light on the matter. I will also check with other battery retailers and see what their experience is. If the consensus is that they are having problems I will go for the Concorde.
Thanks for the info Lyn

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