pianotuna wrote:
Propane generators have some nice attributes--but the easy of refilling is NOT one of them.
Actually AGM lifeline calls equalizing "conditioning". I agree it is not something one would wish to do on a regular basis with agm chemistry--but if there is significant loss of capacity it can (and should) be done.
The idea with battery banks is to use the largest possible cell size that will fit the available space. I'd LOVE to have six two volt cells, however I can't afford the modification nor the actual cells. There is no particular reason to use six volt format with AGM chemistry.
I could run the 400 watt coffee pot and the 800 watt toaster from a 1250 watt inverter--but one would take a peukert "hit", so it is probably better to run them sequentially rather than simultaneously.
Thanks for the information on the NiFe chemistry. I was not aware that they required regular watering. I did know that the electrolyte lasts for up to 30 years and then can be replaced.
How much charging can be done with the engine of your RV?
Will look into conditioning the AGM batteries. Having used mine to run the coffee pot (alone) several times and Peukerting my batteries down to zero (crashed every system in the coach), they could probably use any "assistance" I can provide them.
NiFe batteries are also extremely heavy as well as space hogs. The "battery" consists of a series of enough 1.2 V cells to provide the desired capacity. The more desired capacity, the more cells required. They are some great customer sample photos at www.ironedison.com, along with pricing. 300 Ah of NiFe capacity costs $3K.
I don't know how much charging can be done by the MB diesel engine in my Sprinter, but I have read that running that engine at prolonged idle may be harmful to it.
Cheers,
Steve
