Crown 6 volt deep cycle, I run four total, very good results, have two iota 45 amp converter chargers with smart modules, to recharge batteries fairly quickly.
had the agm batteries orbitals, big waste of money in my opinion and wallet
also have two honda 3000 gennys in parralell, to power the whole rig when i want to run everything in the trailer including washer dryer, airconditioning along with electric water heater,
There is a method to the madness, disturb the method and the madness begins.
After fighting 2 12V deep cycle/marine batteries for a couple of years, I bought 2 Trojan 6V batteries. Whether they be Trojan or some other quality brand, 6V is the way to go IMO. Be sure that your converter provides multi-stage charging as even the best batteries don't last if they are constantly subjected to overcharging.
Have RV....Will Travel
2007 Forest River Sunseeker 2860 LTD
2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
You can buy either the most amp hours for the money or the most (perceived) quality for the money. Optima is neither.
Generally, AGM batteries have about 20% less capacity, cost about two times more, and have a shorter cycle life than comparable flooded lead acid batteries. However, they do not need watering, are safer (no acid spilling out), can be placed in a variety of positions, have a slower self-discharge characteristic, and are more efficient in charging and discharging than flooded batteries. AGM batteries are more for light cycling and engine-starting applications.
NOTE: Any incorrect spelling is intentional to prevent those annoying popups.
84 Barth 30Tag powered by HT502/Thorley/Weiand etc, Gear Vendors OD.
Siamese Calvin and Airedale Hobbes, 4WD Toyota toad
Your choice of boondock battery depends upon your budget, how much room you have for the batteries, and whether or not you want to follow the crowd.
Optima are AGM batteries, and AGM batteries are somewhat rare in RV's because most folks don't understand them and/or don't want to spend the money for them. AGM batteries make outstanding RV batteries, but there are more appropriate AGM battery types for RV use than the Optima models.
I use two parallel-wired 100 amp hour 12V true deep cycle AGM batteries in our RV and they have performed exactly as expected for over three years so far: No acid corrosion in the battery compartment area, no water levels to monitor, so little self discharge that I can leave them disconnected for months without risking damaging loss of charge when the rig is in storage, and so fast charging that our stock single stage RV converter and small Honda generator bring them up to 90% charge plenty fast enough during multi-day camping trips. I do religiously make sure that they are brought up to absolute full charge after each camping trip, however. Of course on the open road for a few hours between camp sites, the chassis engine alternator also brings them up to absolute full charge. They just sit there and do their battery thing year after year with zero maintenance or concerns.
I recommend them highly for most types of RV use if you want to spend the extra money. IMHO, wet cell lead acid batteries are dinosaur technology that has run it's course.
* This post was
edited 07/27/10 01:29pm by pnichols *
bill h wrote: You can buy either the most amp hours for the money or the most (perceived) quality for the money. Optima is neither.
Generally, AGM batteries have about 20% less capacity, cost about two times more, and have a shorter cycle life than comparable flooded lead acid batteries. However, they do not need watering, are safer (no acid spilling out), can be placed in a variety of positions, have a slower self-discharge characteristic, and are more efficient in charging and discharging than flooded batteries. AGM batteries are more for light cycling and engine-starting applications.
ramsfam has it figured out. Trojans are very good, I opted for the Crowns as my supplier sells both, I asked him what he uses in his rv, and he uses the Crowns, so take that for whatever it is worth.
The Orbitals, nope, had them for two years, four total, two out of the four failed and replaced under warranty. No problem as I own a heavy equipment repair shop, you might have harder time getting warranty as i spend probably a little more than you on stuff of this nature, at any rate, new batteries in my shop, gave them away, not suitable for boondocking use, not enough amp hours for the money spent, yea sure non gases, mount upside down, but really, I need power, and long lasting power, and sometimes i dont recharge properly, so need a battery that can take some abuse too, I mostly count on my batteries during the dead of winter up here in Ontario Canada, so what do I know, four orbitals 1200.00 four crowns 550 do the math. running fourth year on these four now, orbitals, absolutely no way am i getting that kind of lifespan, heh at double the cost and half the amp hours.
Lifelines, yup, different ball game again, agms yes, but superior batteries. Would i spend the money maybe, if my crowns were not doing anything less than a outstanding job.
Generally, AGM batteries have about 20% less capacity, cost about two times more, and have a shorter cycle life than comparable flooded lead acid batteries. However, they do not need watering, are safer (no acid spilling out), can be placed in a variety of positions, have a slower self-discharge characteristic, and are more efficient in charging and discharging than flooded batteries. AGM batteries are more for light cycling and engine-starting applications.
Man, you are way off base.
The above came from Trojan.. They make and sell both types, so have no ax to grind.
Been there done the AMG battery thing, pricey, no better overall performance, they break like all the rest.
For day in day out use flooded acid batteries are the best bang for the buck.
FAB's have been more reliable then AMG's. FAB's cost a lot less and require little service; a little water every now and then-can't be too comfortable.
I will use an AMG only when absolutely positively necessary, and there are few times when that is necessary.
Generally, AGM batteries have about 20% less capacity, cost about two times more, and have a shorter cycle life than comparable flooded lead acid batteries. However, they do not need watering, are safer (no acid spilling out), can be placed in a variety of positions, have a slower self-discharge characteristic, and are more efficient in charging and discharging than flooded batteries. AGM batteries are more for light cycling and engine-starting applications.
Man, you are way off base.
The above came from Trojan.. They make and sell both types, so have no ax to grind.
I stand corrected but at the same time if you read all of the literature they are somewhat contradictory between the two.
I will say this that I prefer AGM's no corrosion, can be laid on their side, which I have.
They will come back after a deep discharge. I had two consecutive days where they were discharged to 9.2 volts. A thermostatically controlled fan came on and ran for hours while I was gone. I think a flooded batty would have been ruined.
It's like LED's I wouldn't trade what I have for anyone else's.
Offline
