Best deep cycle ?
Any battery recommendations?
Any opinions on the ever start Max?
Thanks
Any opinions on the ever start Max?
Thanks
Forum Discussion
102 Replies
Gale Hawkins wrote:
Bet the fine print was comparing them to flooded lead acid batteries. :)
I have a bunch of Interstates today but they really do not last any longer than WM batteries if used and treated in the same manner and they start out as the same size and type.
Hope to find an AGM at WM today for one of the Polaris 325 Magnums because I am tired of switching out the one good AGM that we have. :)
Interstate is my preferred choice but they have hours that conflict with my life style. As a DIY type 24/7 options work better.
Gale,
I've got a Walmart Supercenter less than 1 mile from my home up on the Interstate highway. An Auto Zone 1.5 miles from my home, and the independent family owned and operated Interstate battery outlet is 8 miles away across the county line and a huge lake. They are nice people and all, but I priced an AGM battery for my diesel automobile this last Summer, and it was either close to $200.00 or over. I think battery prices have gotten out of hand, but that's another issue. Walmart and Auto Zone have to have batteries for a lot less than Interstate, but the Interstate ad clearly states that their's will last up to two to three times longer than the competition. That's pretty clear cut to me, but that's not proof that it will or a guarantee.- "Just to clarify, I heard the radio ad from Interstate battery again today!
The Interstate ad stated that; "their new AGM batteries last 2 to 3 times longer than their competition." They did not name their competition though."
The Energizer Bunny D Cell?
If batteries are ABUSED. I mean trash use, discharged completely, every last freakin' zot, an AGM will outlast a flooded battery. That's because an AGM is hard as hell to discharge totally. This is why a 60 lb AGM has less available amp hours than a 52 lb flooded battery.
Herb Tarlick, is alive and well.
God save me from hustlers grinning with 37 teeth.
"We use better acid" What they should say is "We DROP ACID to come up with these bogus ideas".
Interstate makes more PROFIT on the sale of an AGM.
How long is the "Free Replacement" warranty. That'll carve some of the BS away from the meat. - Bet the fine print was comparing them to flooded lead acid batteries. :)
I have a bunch of Interstates today but they really do not last any longer than WM batteries if used and treated in the same manner and they start out as the same size and type.
Hope to find an AGM at WM today for one of the Polaris 325 Magnums because I am tired of switching out the one good AGM that we have. :)
Interstate is my preferred choice but they have hours that conflict with my life style. As a DIY type 24/7 options work better. pnichols wrote:
Skid Row Joe wrote:
If their claim is true, then wouldn't that be a bargain versus the regular batteries?
Yes they can indeed be a bargain ... if you're careful not to make ONE SPECIFIC MISTAKE too often with AGM batteries: Don't put on them too-high float voltages too-long in too-high outside temperatures.
Doing the above on regular wet (liquid) acid batteries does boil the water out of them and can eventually permanently damage them, too. But ... with regular wet (liquid) acid batteries you just have to check the water level in them and top the level back up if you've accidently applied too-high float voltages too-long in too-high temperatures.
HOWEVER ... AGM batteries are sealed with a one-way valve (lets vapors OUT - ONLY) ... so if high charge voltages vaporize some of the water out of them there's no way to replenish their water content. This means that you've damaged them permanently a little bit each time you do it to them.
That's why I like those Interstage 100 amp hour Group 29/31 AGM "wheelchair" batteries -> they're designed to be floated at 13.5 to 13.8 volts - exactly the output range of most RV stock single voltage converters. Stock RV converters don't ruin them by boiling too much of their water away when left hooked up for long periods in moderate or low outside temperatures. However in high outside temperatures 13.5 to 13.8 volts can begin to get into a "too high" range for them for long term float hook up during high outside ambient temperatures ... so I disconnect my converter from my AGM batteries during the summer when outside temperatures are high.
You might be wondering how you can both "charge" and "float" those Interstate batteries on the same 13.5 to 13.8 fixed volts that RV converters put out. Well, the converter does trickle charge them while floating them. However this trickle charging rate is much faster with AGM batteries because of their very low intrinsic resistance, hence they will absorb much higher currents - if they start out being low initially - when exposed to only trickle-charge (float) voltage levels.
My twin AGM 12 volt batteries will shoot up to absorbing 18-20 amps from the converter for awhile if they start out being partially discharged. I could use a multi-stage charger instead of the converter to hit them with 14.XX volts for awhile, but a few hours on only the stock converter usually does the trick. If I need higher power charging I just use the engine alternator for a bit before leaving them on the converter for several hours.
When leaving a drycamping site with our AGMs down 45-50 percent, 4-6 hours of driving time completely recharges them because of the fast charging that results from their natural low internal resistance.
My AGM batteries were a special value because I only paid around $47 each for them when new.
Just to clarify, I heard the radio ad from Interstate battery again today!
The Interstate ad stated that; "their new AGM batteries last 2 to 3 times longer than their competition." They did not name their competition though.Skid Row Joe wrote:
If their claim is true, then wouldn't that be a bargain versus the regular batteries?
Yes they can indeed be a bargain ... if you're careful not to make ONE SPECIFIC MISTAKE too often with AGM batteries: Don't put on them too-high float voltages too-long in too-high outside temperatures.
Doing the above on regular wet (liquid) acid batteries does boil the water out of them and can eventually permanently damage them, too. But ... with regular wet (liquid) acid batteries you just have to check the water level in them and top the level back up if you've accidently applied too-high float voltages too-long in too-high temperatures.
HOWEVER ... AGM batteries are sealed with a one-way valve (lets vapors OUT - ONLY) ... so if high charge voltages vaporize some of the water out of them there's no way to replenish their water content. This means that you've damaged them permanently a little bit each time you do it to them.
That's why I like those Interstage 100 amp hour Group 29/31 AGM "wheelchair" batteries -> they're designed to be floated at 13.5 to 13.8 volts - exactly the output range of most RV stock single voltage converters. Stock RV converters don't ruin them by boiling too much of their water away when left hooked up for long periods in moderate or low outside temperatures. However in high outside temperatures 13.5 to 13.8 volts can begin to get into a "too high" range for them for long term float hook up during high outside ambient temperatures ... so I disconnect my converter from my AGM batteries during the summer when outside temperatures are high.
You might be wondering how you can both "charge" and "float" those Interstate batteries on the same 13.5 to 13.8 fixed volts that RV converters put out. Well, the converter does trickle charge them while floating them. However this trickle charging rate is much faster with AGM batteries because of their very low intrinsic resistance, hence they will absorb much higher currents - if they start out being low initially - when exposed to only trickle-charge (float) voltage levels.
My twin AGM 12 volt batteries will shoot up to absorbing 18-20 amps from the converter for awhile if they start out being partially discharged. I could use a multi-stage charger instead of the converter to hit them with 14.XX volts for awhile, but a few hours on only the stock converter usually does the trick. If I need higher power charging I just use the engine alternator for a bit before leaving them on the converter for several hours.
When leaving a drycamping site with our AGMs down 45-50 percent, 4-6 hours of driving time completely recharges them because of the fast charging that results from their natural low internal resistance.
My AGM batteries were a special value because I only paid around $47 each for them when new.- Last two or three times longer than exactly what?
Interstate is a reseller. They never go near battery design or manufacturing. Interstate headquarters is tasked with ordering their ad department to come up with some catchy gimmick to dull the reality that Interstate is a "Me Too" battery peddler.
Trust the folks who actually make batteries. - Absorption Gas Mat (AGM) is just another form of the old flooded lead acid battery but the acid is contained in mates so they do not leak if the case is cracked for an over simplified answer. The reason I like them is they do not make the mess of the older FLA's and they can set for six months without being charge plus they typically last.
pnichols wrote:
Skid Row Joe wrote:
What is an AGM battery?
Does Interstate sell one?
Thanks......just trying to learn about the various batteries here.
Yep .... Interstate sells them.
The last 12 volt Group 29/31 model showing at the bottom on this Interstate AGM battery list link is what we have two of in our Class C motorhome. They've just passed seven (7) years old now in our rig. I dust them off once a year for "maintenance". They get along just fine off the motorhome's stock 13.8 volt converter and the main engine's alternator:
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/content/product_info/wheelchair_spec.asp
A short time ago today on the radio, there was an ad for the Interstate AGM battery. I paid particular attention to the wording of the Interstate ad when they stated; it lasts two to three times longer than a regular battery. If their claim is true, then wouldn't that be a bargain versus the regular batteries?Skid Row Joe wrote:
What is an AGM battery?
Does Interstate sell one?
Thanks......just trying to learn about the various batteries here.
Yep .... Interstate sells them.
The last 12 volt Group 29/31 model showing at the bottom on this Interstate AGM battery list link is what we have two of in our Class C motorhome. They've just passed seven (7) years old now in our rig. I dust them off once a year for "maintenance". They get along just fine off the motorhome's stock 13.8 volt converter and the main engine's alternator:
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/content/product_info/wheelchair_spec.aspSkid Row Joe wrote:
Lowsuv wrote:
Love the AGM
i bought 2 for my duramax , group 78 , for $140 each at BiMart.
Exide EDGE AGM , made in the USA .
Our mercedes has a group 49 AGM as standard , six years old now .
It is in the trunk .
The AGM will recharge faster which is important to me as i live in a town that only takes 15 minutes to go anywhere .
AGM life is 150 % better than conventional .
We dry camp and use our duramax AGM hooked up with # 2 jumper cables to our 2 FLA group 27 .
We just let the 4 batteries equalize with the jumper cables .
no genny , no solar .
no corrosion with the AGM .
What is an AGM battery?
Does Interstate sell one?
Thanks......just trying to learn about the various batteries here.
LMGTFY
