AGM batteries, overcharging on long drives
I am new to AGM batteries and have done a lot of study prior to purchasing them as a replacement for my coach batteries. My charger has a specific algorithm for charging them when plugged into shore p...
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IMO this can be a problem, especially on the Chevy based vans. Our 07 C190P Roadtrek on the Chevy would run down the road at 14.5-14.5 volts hot. This is too high for AGM or wet cells. I have found two solutions, and now have both in place. We have cut our water use in the batteries in half.
You can, at least for Chevies, change the regulator in the alternator. I think they rate at 14.3 or so, but run at about 13.9 hot.
You can add a disconnect switch for the separator, so you can manually shut it off. It is also handy so you can shut the separator off when on shore power, if you want. We do that, as we have a disconnect on the starting battery that we use when stored in the garage, so the separator is not needed to be on.
If you take a look at the recommended float voltages for batteries, both AGMs and wet cells are in the low to mid 13 volts range, so most of the vehicles do run well above recommended voltage.
You can, at least for Chevies, change the regulator in the alternator. I think they rate at 14.3 or so, but run at about 13.9 hot.
You can add a disconnect switch for the separator, so you can manually shut it off. It is also handy so you can shut the separator off when on shore power, if you want. We do that, as we have a disconnect on the starting battery that we use when stored in the garage, so the separator is not needed to be on.
If you take a look at the recommended float voltages for batteries, both AGMs and wet cells are in the low to mid 13 volts range, so most of the vehicles do run well above recommended voltage.
