Battery Choice Opinion Please UPDATE
Updated 26 April ---------- Thinking of getting one of these to replace an old pair of wet 6s, where the price here is similar to new 6s. Not sure if it is suitable for RV use doing 50-90s some...
Forum Discussion
The big RV advantage is that they can be inside where it is warm (no battery fumes unless driven to a big overcharge) so they retain their full capacity in winter cold. Wets outside the heated space lose capacity in the cold just when you want more because the furnace is on lots and the short daylight times means the lights are on longer too.
Access is another big factor (as in my case now with a MH vs my 5er.) Easy to get at the Wets in the 5er to do checks, but very awkward in the MH. So AGMs can be hidden away and still be looked after, unlike Wets.
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OK, so far on my initial testing, this battery was run down 62AH in about two hours and voltage starting at 13 went to 12.1 at first, back to 12.2 then 12.1 and finally at 1 hr 3/4, to 12.0. Turned off all loads and within 20 minutes, voltage was 12.6.
Started a recharge with 75amp PowerMax adjustable charger set to 14.6. Amps started about 51, tapering to 39 after about 1/2 hour, battery voltage 14.0 rising. --all seems fairly normal looking so far.
I don't know how or when to apply Mex's "wall" test.
EDIT--Mex said a while ago that nothing bad will happen if the AGM gets down to zip amps at the 14.x Vabs at 2 am, and you leave it at 14.x until you get on the job later after breakfast. :) So that is my plan, assuming that is where things are going today overnight.
I do think the battery could do with some "activity" after sitting so long, so that might also be good towards that. LY has mentioned a kick start too as being good once in a while.
Access is another big factor (as in my case now with a MH vs my 5er.) Easy to get at the Wets in the 5er to do checks, but very awkward in the MH. So AGMs can be hidden away and still be looked after, unlike Wets.
-----
OK, so far on my initial testing, this battery was run down 62AH in about two hours and voltage starting at 13 went to 12.1 at first, back to 12.2 then 12.1 and finally at 1 hr 3/4, to 12.0. Turned off all loads and within 20 minutes, voltage was 12.6.
Started a recharge with 75amp PowerMax adjustable charger set to 14.6. Amps started about 51, tapering to 39 after about 1/2 hour, battery voltage 14.0 rising. --all seems fairly normal looking so far.
I don't know how or when to apply Mex's "wall" test.
EDIT--Mex said a while ago that nothing bad will happen if the AGM gets down to zip amps at the 14.x Vabs at 2 am, and you leave it at 14.x until you get on the job later after breakfast. :) So that is my plan, assuming that is where things are going today overnight.
I do think the battery could do with some "activity" after sitting so long, so that might also be good towards that. LY has mentioned a kick start too as being good once in a while.
