AGM Battery Longevity

SPECIFICATIONS

VOLTS 12

LENGTH IN (MM)
13.46 (341.9)

WIDTH IN (MM)
-----6.77 (172)

HEIGHT IN (MM)
-----11.95 (303.5)

WEIGHT LB (KG)
-------96 (43.5)

COLD CRANKING AMPS

68F -1000
32F-------850
0F----------700
RATED CAP. AMPS HOURS @ 20HR RATE
150
MINUTES OF DISCHARGE

25 AMPS ---315
15 AMPS ----555
8 AMPS ------1120

Lifeline GPL-30HT

I want a battery with no easily attainable amperage limit and whose charging instructions say 'mo is Bettah.'

page 19Lifeline GPL-30HT specs

I've got about 520 Deep cycles and several hundred shallow cycles on a Northstar AGM purchased in Nov '13. Still impressed with voltage held under load, and engine cranking ability when depleted well below 50%. Requires high amp recharging from a well depleted state to remain impressive, along with the full recharges based on tapering amperage at absorption voltage.

I'd not replace well treated 7 year old Lifelines unless their voltage held under load was not impressive, and they did not respond to the conditioning procedure described on page 20 in the tech manual PDF linked above.

I'd start the conditioning after quickly draining the battery to well below 50% SOC, then recharging properly, seeking, at a high amp rate, and then Holding proper temperature compensated absorption voltage until amps taper to 0.5% of capacity.

Lwiddis wrote:
"...and my wife uses a CPAP.."

Seven year old batteries and a wife needing a CPAP? Questions with obvious answers shouldn't be asked.

Lwiddis, thanks for the advice.

Since it seems obvious to you, how often do you think I should replace my batteries? Every 3? 4? 5? 6? 7? years. Or does the longevity depend on conditions of use, depth of use, frequency of use, temperature or other factors.

BTW, a CPAP is not an iron lung. Without it my wife is not likely to sleep as well. However, without batteries, we also have no lights, no heat, no hot water, no vent fans and even worse everything in the refrigerator rots. With or without a CPAP, I need a quick replacement if both of my batteries suddenly die.

"...and my wife uses a CPAP.."

Seven year old batteries and a wife needing a CPAP? Questions with obvious answers shouldn't be asked.

Fullriver DC150-12
12-volts
GC12 Group Size
295 mins @ 25 amps
80 mins @ 75 amps
130 AH @ 5HR
150 AH @ 20HR
1050 CCA @ 32°C
900 CCA @ 0°C
Weight 94.8 lbs. (43 kg)
Total Height 10.75" (273 mm)
Height 10.59" (269 mm)
Width 7.17" (182 mm)
Length 12.87" (327 mm)

Hi Phil,

I'm having great success with used Telecom jars.


Hi Mex,



12-volts
GC12 Group Size
295 mins @ 25 amps
80 mins @ 75 amps
130 AH @ 5HR
150 AH @ 20HR
1050 CA @ 32°C
900 CCA @ 0°C
Weight 94.8 lbs (43 kg)

pianotuna wrote:
6-volts
GC2 Group Size
441 mins @ 25 amps
113 mins @ 75 amps
179 AH @ 5HR
224 AH @ 20HR
1080 CA @ 32°C
900 CCA @ 0°C

Don,

Those specs for the Fullriver DC224-6 AGM deep cycle battery got me thinking. Two of them would provide only 224 AH of storage.

The Fullriver DC150-12 AGM deep cycle battery that I referenced earlier is only slightly larger, but two of them will provide 300 AH of storage: http://www.fullriverbattery.com/product/batteries/DC150-12

If one has the room, two of the DC150-12 batteries might be the better set of batteries to have on board.

Weight? I do NOT like what I see in the CCA department. A pair of series T105 batteries yield barely 500 CCA. A lifeline 29 yields barely 700 CCA. And the weight difference 29 to 1 GC220 is close. I am discussing the cycling intensity ability here. Number of cycles lifespan. Thanks Don. Others: Don't twist your knickers in a knot. The Fullriver may be a choice perfect for you. I am being a snotnose about plate thickness and cycle life here.

6-volts
GC2 Group Size
441 mins @ 25 amps
113 mins @ 75 amps
179 AH @ 5HR
224 AH @ 20HR
1080 CA @ 32°C
900 CCA @ 0°C

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I wish I knew the positive plate thickness of the fullriver battery. But weight vs amp hours versus CCA should serve close enough to compare it to the Lifeline. I have zero internet bandwidth to investigate. Hint. Hint.

Hmmmm....

Fullriver. Made in China. 800,000 square foot plant is very large. One of the " better" made-in-China products. Most of the chips I buy are Chinese. A few like Sharp and CREE are excellent.

i have (5) of these for a total of 675 ampHrs

{i know you only have room for two} if they fit height wise}

Dimensions

"Product Width 6.85
Product Height 10.87
Product Length 13.31
Net Weight 102
Amp-Hour 135
Model FIAMM 12FLX500"

you might think about checking craigslist for surplus AGM telco server batteries

mine are FIAMM high rate, 135 ampHr at 8hr rate (even more at 20hr) 102# each

about $300 new per item when buying a pallet of 16, mine were less than $99 each surplus, love them

other areas of the country have similar batteries available
around here its usually the solar and marine dealers in San Diego

https://www.wholesalebatteriesdirect.com/fiamm-ups-batteries/66616-fiamm-12flx500-12-flx-500-135ah-493wpc-high-rate-ups-standby-battery.html

something to think about, instead of dropping a bundle on new lifelines

these batteries have been in daily full time use for 10 months