Replacing House Batteries.

Make sure your charging system is going to properly feed those batteries. Different types require different charge voltage/ amp sequences to make them last.

Trojan makes an AGM 6V golf cart battery (T105-AGM), if that is your goal (AGM). Not cheap and you would likely have to get the special ordered through a golf cart store.

covered wagon wrote:
Make sure your charging system is going to properly feed those batteries. Different types require different charge voltage/ amp sequences to make them last.

WAY too many people worry about that WAY too much.

AGM batteries last just fine with a "standard" charging system designed for wet cell lead acid ones.

OR.....you can spend $500 or more on a custom converter/charger system that will allow your AGMs to last......maybe one extra year if you are lucky.

Veebyes wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Yes, Lifeline AGM.

Replaced my Lifeline AGM last year after 8 years of trouble free, maintenance free service. When I went to the AGM I did away with the potential connection problems of multiple batteries. Put the biggest single battery in the space available which was a 4D case size. About 215ah. Wish I could get an 8D in there. Too big.

Again, showing my ignorance, what does AGM stand for?

Paul

Absorbed Glass Mat.

pianotuna wrote:
Paul

Absorbed Glass Mat.

Thank you.

Optimas are a form of AGM, but have a particular construction
That makes them light weight and rugged to stand vibration abuse
But also lowers their ampHr capacity

AGM Zero maintenance. Sealed. Can be mounted anywhere, even inside the RV under a bed or wherever there is space. Can be mounted sideways. Can withstand a much deeper discharge, & recover, than a flooded battery. In storage, without parasite loads, discharges at half the rate of a wet cell. Good for many more discharge cycles than a flooded battery. Has a lifespan 2-3 times that of a flooded battery.

No, AGMs are not cheap however when all of the above is factored in they make sense especially if some dry camping is going to be done.

OPTIMA is a VERY VERY BAD choice I will explain why

Look at the battery. Notice how much of the thing is AIR. (about 1/3) The result is for the same size battery you have less than 2/3 the capacity (60 percent source OPTIA itself).

OPTIMA's are AGM batteries (I know they yammer about gel but they are AGM)

LIFELINE AGM's are a far better choice... Same capacity as you have now. ANd you use GC-2's hook 'em up just like now..

Oh and Optimas are EXPENSIVE for what you get too.

My recommendation is stay with GC-2 Flooded wet from Costco or Sam's if you have a membership Wal*mart can order 'em if you don't. I use DEAK G-20's (A GC2) Myself.

If you must go Optima I recommend the D31T for 75 amp/hrs of deep cycle battery. You need 5 to 6 of them to match the capacity of the 4x GC2.
These batteries run $300 to $350 each.