bill h
coastal reconquista
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Joined: 08/02/2001
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narcodog wrote:
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.
Yes, there is conflicting information out there. I have an inclination to believe Trojan, because they make and sell both. They have no economic advantage in promoting one over.
Whenever I see different opinions from companies, I "Follow the Money", and look for an economic advantage in their point of view.
I have also noticed that different AGM manufacturers give widely different ratings for the same size battery.
Vonwentzel has an interesting chart on his comparison page.
Quote: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.
There are a lot of indisputable advantages to AGM. One additional advantage that Trojan did not mention is very minimal or lack of gassing. We all choose the advantages and disadvantages we are comfortable with.
I like have used orbital starting AGMs from several brands in several vehicles with poor results. Short life, mainly.
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Calisdad
groveland, ca
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ramzfam wrote: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.
How would one confirm if they have a multi-stage charger? I believe we have just what comes stock in a '94 Fleetwood Tioga. Is there a test?
thanks
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Veebyes
Bermuda & Maryland
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Do the research. Coming from 25 plus years of boating I guess I have more of a marine mind than RV. We don't usually skimp when it comes to anything to do with boats. If you think RV parts & maintenance is expensive, try boats.
In the marine world boats used for cruising, i.e. nights 'on the hook', no shorepower, maybe no genny, will more than likely have AGM batterys. The preferred brand, based on quality of construction not necessarily price, these days is Lifeline . I swapped 2 grp 24 wet cells for a single Lifeline 4D battery. That took me from 160AHs to 210AHs or about the same as 2 6V AGMs.
Having only 2 terminals to keep clean & NEVER having to worry about water is great. The chance of 'cooking' the battery during longterm storage with a charger is eliminated too. There is no need to leave it on trickle charge.
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bill h
coastal reconquista
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What I like the most about AGMs is their ability to take a high rate of charge. With the right charger, that means lower fuel consumption, noise and pollution. It also might fit into a particular schedule for some people.
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bryanl
Reno, NV
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Joined: 12/25/2003
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How long your batteries last and how well they serve your needs depends mostly upon how you use and maintain them, not on brand, type, or voltage.
AGM batteries are nice but you pay about twice for perhaps one and half times improvement in service. The standard wet cell lead acid batteries are usually inexpensive, easy to find, and can provide good service. AGM's really only have the advantage when you have to mount the battery on its side or upside down, have exposure to significant shock or vibration, or have other special need.
Do make sure not to discharge your batteries below 12.0 volts as measured after at least a half hour of no significant charge or discharge.
Charge promptly with a good multiple stage battery charger and give time for a full charge.
Use a battery maintainer that includes a sulfation inhibition technique on your batteries when they are out of use for more than a couple of weeks.
Get your batteries from a retailer who sells a lot to folks like you, offers a good warranty, and will stand behind what he sells.
Don't get obsessive about details as individual batteries can vary by as much as 20% due to such things as temperature, use profile, cycle to cycle variance, and age.
Bryan
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GMC4ME
Stockton, CA
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When the two 12v wet-cells in my 2007 5th wheel die (if I wait that long) I will replace them with AGMs; probably Yellow Top Orbitals.
I have two Yellow Tops in my 3500 GMC and don't plan to buy another wet-cell!! The battery cases of both original Delco batteries in my 2002 GMC cracked while parked at my house. One in 2003 and the other in 2006.
Although I check the batteries in my 5th wheel on a regular basis - usually every six months or prior to extended road trips - on a recent trip to Oregon I found acid inside the battery compartment and some came out the door vents and pitted the paint on the exterior. I checked them before leaving; the cells were covered but the fluid level was well below the top. I guess they "boiled off" due to overcharge. However, considering they were being charged from the truck alternator, that does not seem reasonable.
Wes
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bryanl
Reno, NV
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Spend your money and effort on your charging and maintenance equipment and use practice for best return.
It really doesn't make too much difference which batteries you get as long as you get them from a retailer who sells a lot to folks like you, offers a good warranty, and stands behind what he sells.
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w6pea
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bryanl wrote:Spend your money and effort on your charging and maintenance equipment and use practice for best return.
It really doesn't make too much difference which batteries you get as long as you get them from a retailer who sells a lot to folks like you, offers a good warranty, and stands behind what he sells.
Well put. I needed to change my house battery's, I also added solar and more battery's. I had my choice between Trojan or Interstate, I got the Interstate. Have not had any trouble with them. They are all flooded battery's.
They reason i went with Interstate was the price about $25.00 price difference between them and the Trojan.
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rolnrolnroln
WA
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The lines about AGMs being for "light" use is quite simply, bilge. I have been running 6 Lifeline 6 volt units as my inverter bank for two seasons. I have a Xantrex amp meter on the setup so I know what is going on. When running the AC without the generator on, the inverter pulls in excess of 200 amps. Just as an experiment, I have pulled that load for an hour. In normal use, the Honda EU2000 provides 10 amps and the inverter supplies the startup peaks and whatever additional is needed to power the load. When the AC compressor is cycled off, the inverter switches to charger and the Honda puts what it can back into the battery bank. So, all day long I am putting significant amps into the bank and taking out very significant amps. There are no flooded cell batts that I am aware of that would handle the constant back and forth, with the charging speed and efficiency of the AGMs. I have two Trojan flooded in the TT itself. Following Trojan's recommended charge rate would not allow my system to function. The AGMs accept the full output of the inverter/charger at 110 amps. The charger has a thermistor on the negative of the last battery in the bank and I have yet to see the charging current ramped back due to heat issues. The 6 batteries lose (self discharge) about 10 amp/hrs in a wintertime 6 month downtime. I never charge them over the winter.
In no way am I saying that flooded cells are no good. They are far and away the most cost effective things for most usages. I only take exception to the posts intimating that AGMs are not equal to flooded. In some apps, like mine, the AGMs are superior. Oh... I also agree with the posters saying Optimas are a poor choice for RV use. About a third less amp/hrs. Great starting batts though. Each app. must be analyzed separately to find the best combination of capability and cost.
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dadwolf2
Henderson,NV
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Lifeline AGM batteries are great batteries, pricey and if you have solar, I would consider that route. If you just charge with your genny and want to save some money, you can't beat the old standard 6 VDC Deep Cycle like the Trojan T-105's. Just my opinion!!
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