Hi, Any suggestions on 12V AGM Batteries? I'm looking for Good, Better & Best battery choices.Any suggestions would be appreciated.Thanks, Ken

Good= cheaperBetter = middleBest = Surrette brandMy 12v 80ah Lifelines are very good. Only maintenance is dusting.

I got the following 2 years ago and have been very happy:House battery - Optima 8052-161 Blue Top group 31 Engine battery - Optima 8025-160 Red Top group 25

How do you plan to charge them? Your converter won't do the job right and that is a lot of money to spend and not protect them by proper charging.As mentioned Surrette are the best. Be careful at NAPA some of the GC-2s appear to be AGM's but are actually flooded lead acid

LifelineFill Riveri have these CD technologiesweigh 100 pounds each139 AmpHrs at 20hr rate

Hi scrubjaysnest,Thanks for your comment. I'm a novice when it comes to RV batteries and I don't really know what you mean. Would you be so kind as to go into further details. I assume that the batteries would charge the same as my current battery does. What am I missing? Thanks a lot for any more information that you can provide.Ken

AGM Battery Suggestions - Good, Better, Best? | Good Sam Community

40 Replies

DarthMuffin
Explorer
May 06, 2015
In the "good" category I've had 4 of these for almost 3 years now. Work perfectly, and cheap for AGM.

http://www.amazon.com/VMAXTANKS-Volt-225Ah-AGM-Battery/dp/B009MOR58A
Veebyes
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2015
Do the research. The cheaper battery is not necessarily the best value for money.
full_mosey
Explorer
Apr 30, 2015
EsoxLucius wrote:
Motorcycles and JetSkis use cranking batteries while RV house batteries are true deep cycle batteries. There are perhaps better choices than Odyssey for the RV.

For RV use, favor the battery that gives more AH/lb.

Odyssey Grp 34 68AH 53lb - 68/53 = 1.28.

Better:
Deka 8a24M 79AH, 53lb - 79/53 = 1.49.

Lifeline is even better.

If you compare CCA, you will find that Odyssey has more CCA/lb and would be a better choice for starting.

HTH;
John
EsoxLucius
Explorer
Apr 30, 2015
StewStaton wrote:
I have not used Odyssey batteries in my RV but I have 3 in power sport applications. 1 in a motorcycle that is 3 years old, 1 in a jet ski that is 6 years old and 1 in a jet ski that is 12 years old. The 12 year old battery out lasted the jet ski and cranks the new jet ski fine. They are only used in the summer and spend the winter on a float charger. They are expensive but I think I will try and Odyssey for my next RV battery.
Motorcycles and JetSkis use cranking batteries while RV house batteries are true deep cycle batteries. There are perhaps better choices than Odyssey for the RV.
StewStaton
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015
I have not used Odyssey batteries in my RV but I have 3 in power sport applications. 1 in a motorcycle that is 3 years old, 1 in a jet ski that is 6 years old and 1 in a jet ski that is 12 years old. The 12 year old battery out lasted the jet ski and cranks the new jet ski fine. They are only used in the summer and spend the winter on a float charger. They are expensive but I think I will try and Odyssey for my next RV battery.
cire
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Last summer I replaced my six Lifeline 4D batteries after 8 years. I might have got another year out of them but I chose not to wait for the batteries to utterly fail before I replaced them.

In those eight years I never found the battery terminals fouled. An added bonus was that there was absolutely no deterioration (rust) in my battery compartment. It's been a trouble free eight years.

What did I replace them with? Another six Lifeline 4D. This summer I will check a few of the terminals for any sign of deterioration. I don't expect to find any problems. The following year I will check the terminals on the batteries I don't check this year.

Eric, currently outside of Fort Wayne
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 26, 2015
Traveler7, I am sure that battery will serve you well. Verify your converter comes reasonably close to the charge specs. 4D Lifeline is 210 amp/hrs so only 5% more for the price.
Traveler7
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Any reason why this battery wouldn't work?
12 volt 200 Amp hour AGM for $249.00
UPG Group 4D AGM Trolling Battery

http://www.apexbattery.com/upg-group-4d-agm-trolling-battery.html

Best price I've ever seen for 12 volt 200 AH AGM

Comments?
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
scrubjaysnest wrote:

While true, it reduces battery life,

What exactly do you think reduces battery life....charging more slowly ?? I can't agree with that at all.

If you mean not charging up to 100%, it depends on how close you get.
The few actual authoritative opinions that I've seen indicate that 95% is indistinguishable from 100 and even 90% has little real adverse impact.

And no, I can't tell you where I saw that 'cause I don't remember.
scrubjaysnest
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
Vulcan Rider wrote:
scrubjaysnest wrote:

The quick answer is for the Surrette 12 volt AGM, 14.7 volts charge and 13.65 volts float at 77 deg F
The long answer is a chart of current and voltage over time.

A really lot of good information there but WAY more than the average battery user really needs to know.

This would depend on what the user expects out of their battery.

If you can't quite attain the "bulk" charging voltage, that is NOT a problem; it just takes longer to charge. Assuming that you apply the lower voltage long enough, you end up in the same place.

While true, it reduces battery life, requires shore power, or a generator for days. Solar can be a good option if properly installed, the panels get full sun for 4 to 6 hours a day and one is conservative in usage.

I am a BIG fan of AGM batteries in vehicle use: cars, motorcycles, tractors and lawn mowers even. But I'm not quite convinced that they are really worth the extra price in a heavy duty, deep cycle application, versus good quality deep cycle wet batteries that is.