another source for agm batteries

BFL13 wrote:
IMO more attention needs to be paid to this:
...
1.That all means you need to do a serious "recovery" session to get back to full charge (in my case using the Equalize feature on the charger)

Now the crunch is how to do that routine with AGMs? You can blast away on the Wets gassing up a storm.

But "recovery" with AGMs is a very tricky, fussy business. Hard to even find a charger that will do that within AGM specs.

This suggests that AGMs are not the best choice at all for the first case, but only would be suitable with solar where you are sure to get back to full every day (not possible in some seasons in some places)

2. Glad to see mention of good old "progressive capacity loss" too. I bet those with some solar who operate like the first case and have AGMs are losing battery capacity at a good clip, but don't know it.

I am not experiencing the issues you raise. I have numbered your statements to facilitate comments.

1. What recovery? First, charging the AGM is easy, not fussy. Charge until the rate is below 1%C, then float. Periodically do shore power overnight. What part is tricky or fussy?

Second, I don't use any high Volt equalization charging. That is a tricky wet only business.

2. Try telling us AGMers with our 5yo and 7yo AGMs that they are not performing to capacity. Didn't we recently have a post about charging AGMs with a dumb 13.8V converter/charger for 7yrs? Is that a special charger? Start reading here. Which type has the special charging requirements now?

So we have, AGMs:

1. charge faster/cheaper with lower volts,
2. no equalizing.

HTH;
John