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mperkins52's avatar
mperkins52
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014

AGM vs Flooded Lead Acid Batteries

I have always used flooded lead acid batteries in my previous Class C and now in my diesel Class A. I have been good about doing regular maintenance and always get good life out of the batteries, although the mess of the lead acid batteries requires constant clean up to keep from eating the metal braces in the battery compartment. My motorhome is always connected to shore power at home and on the road (other than the occasional 8 hour quiet hours dry camp at one military base that is a popular place). My inverter has a setting for OVERTEMP OVERLOAD/AGM (so I assume I would use that one). My question is whether the AGM batteries will have reduced life since they would rarely approach discharge with the batteries would stay recharging most times. I'm getting older and the less maintenance the better, so I'm wondering if the extra expense will be worth the reduced maintenance, and still get the same or better life from the house batteries .....
  • AGM batteries are actually designed for that application, their first use was as backup batteries that sat under trickle charge for years waiting to start backup generators. They also can be cycled down to 20% without damage (somewhat reduced life, but not damage) and can be charged about 3 times as fast. They also retain a useful charge for up to two years without charging. If your inverter has an AGM setting it should float (or trickle) charge at around 13.6 volts.

    Brian

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