AGM Batteries
At the beginning of each season some of us realize that our tires or batteries should be replaced for peace of mind . Especially those of us that are dry campers who go down gravel roads and do not ...
Forum Discussion
I will take those one at a time.
"Do Not leak acid and corrode my battery tray ."
This is true, but the same is true of Maintenence free
"Do charge faster than conventional batts"
Only LIFELINE recommends that fast charge from what I have found.
Other brands the recommended max charge rate is the same as for Wet Cells
"Are more tolerant to deeper discharges than conventional batts ."
I have not seen evidence of this, And I tried AGM's
"Do Not give off gases in the way that conventional batts do"
Again true of most MAINTENANCE free designs, that is part of how they make 'em maintenance free... By re-combining the vapors and dripping them back into the cell.
"AGM batteries have come down in price because they are becoming mainstream in new cars ."
This is true in part (They are coming down in price due to more sales reducing the unit cost. But if you want a WAY lower price, try Golf Car batteries. Same argument times 10
"At BiMart in Oregon I paid $ 140 each for exide edge agm batteries in a size group 78 ( GM side post )"
Can not argue with this but the group 78 is a small battery Roughly equal to a Group 24 which only holds about 75 amp hours. 150 amp hours if paired, 75 safely usable. (This is the starting battery on my Motor Home which is why I researched it)
I paid just over 300 for a pair of US made DEKA 230 amp hour six volt batteries, (in short about the same price) 115 amp hours usable (nearly twice the power)
My MK AGM's lasted 5 years (Both MK and Deka are products of East Penn Battery Company by the way) they were Group 31's 130 amp hours each.
My Interstate Golf Car batteries (OEM) lasted nearly 9 years FROM DELIVERY of the motor home (Next month is 9 years I replaced the Interstates last month.
If not for small batteries like the 12 volt AGM I use as a paper weight and to charge some smaller batteries and for other portable power uses, and the Jump Start pack I have which is also 12 volt AGM.. I would say "I've bought my last AGM".. Very good for hand held portable power.. Not so much for house power.
"Do Not leak acid and corrode my battery tray ."
This is true, but the same is true of Maintenence free
"Do charge faster than conventional batts"
Only LIFELINE recommends that fast charge from what I have found.
Other brands the recommended max charge rate is the same as for Wet Cells
"Are more tolerant to deeper discharges than conventional batts ."
I have not seen evidence of this, And I tried AGM's
"Do Not give off gases in the way that conventional batts do"
Again true of most MAINTENANCE free designs, that is part of how they make 'em maintenance free... By re-combining the vapors and dripping them back into the cell.
"AGM batteries have come down in price because they are becoming mainstream in new cars ."
This is true in part (They are coming down in price due to more sales reducing the unit cost. But if you want a WAY lower price, try Golf Car batteries. Same argument times 10
"At BiMart in Oregon I paid $ 140 each for exide edge agm batteries in a size group 78 ( GM side post )"
Can not argue with this but the group 78 is a small battery Roughly equal to a Group 24 which only holds about 75 amp hours. 150 amp hours if paired, 75 safely usable. (This is the starting battery on my Motor Home which is why I researched it)
I paid just over 300 for a pair of US made DEKA 230 amp hour six volt batteries, (in short about the same price) 115 amp hours usable (nearly twice the power)
My MK AGM's lasted 5 years (Both MK and Deka are products of East Penn Battery Company by the way) they were Group 31's 130 amp hours each.
My Interstate Golf Car batteries (OEM) lasted nearly 9 years FROM DELIVERY of the motor home (Next month is 9 years I replaced the Interstates last month.
If not for small batteries like the 12 volt AGM I use as a paper weight and to charge some smaller batteries and for other portable power uses, and the Jump Start pack I have which is also 12 volt AGM.. I would say "I've bought my last AGM".. Very good for hand held portable power.. Not so much for house power.
