Batteries Lead Acid vs AGM
Since we are new to RVing I have questions for which I appreciate all comments. Would like opinions on using AGMs or lead acid for House Batteries bearing in mind that AGM's like to be charged at...
Forum Discussion
full_mosey wrote:bluwtr49 wrote:
I just install a battery watering system that eliminates opening the caps and also recombined the gasses. End result, no mess, no corrosion, and adding water is a 1 minute operation.
Those recombining caps are standard with AGM, plus there are valves that keep the water in there so you never need to worry about exposing the plates to air. I guess that is just hype, right?
How much does a watering system cost? Why is a watering system important enough for the extra expense? Doesn't the extra expense bring the wet cost closer to the AGM cost? Do you pull the caps and check the SG? How often?
Thinking I don't need to do any of that is a 1 minute operation for me too!
HTH;
John
Watering system is ~120.00 for 4 batteries and I never pull the caps. Checking the SG is pretty unnecessary unless you suspect one battery is going bad. To check the water level, you attach the pump, give it a squeeze or two and water will either go into the cells or not depending on the level. This is a one time thing and will be moved to the next set of batteries. Think of it like buying an air chuck with a pressure gauge for you tires.
My 10 yo interstates never needed any water and I pulled the caps to checked the SG because I wasn't getting the proper discharge time....yep, I had a couple of cells below spec.
Most of the bad rap flooded cells get is due to dated info. On the other hand if you have a MH using a less than optimal charger...like many converters, you can have some maintenance/longevity issues but than these are not great candidates for AGM either.
Some of the AGM batteries, when they are ready to die....they do it right now. One day OK, the next gone. In cases flooded cells will most often exhibit symptoms that allow time for corrective action.
