Charging AGM batteries
I have never owned an AGM battery, but the new trailer I am getting will have 2 of them. I replaced the converter/charger in my previous RV with a PD4655V, and am thinking of installing the same i...
Forum Discussion
It is important to know exactly which AGMs you have, since different AGMs have different charging specs. EG, some want to be charged at 14.8-14.9 volts while others only want 14.4ish volts. A regular PD at 14.4 would "undercharge" an AGM that wants 14.8 or so. You can get a PD from Randy that does 14.8
Some AGMs have a specified amps limit while being bulk charged too, like 27 or 30 amps per 100 AH. My two 100s are like that, so a 55 amp charger is just right for the pair. OTOH some AGMs can take more amps per 100AH.
Mex says do not obsess about the various charging specs, but IMO if you can meet the specs, then why not do what they say?
If you are getting a new converter anyway, check out the new PowerMax line called their " LK" model which has two modes: three stage and adjustable voltage mode. That gives you a range of 13 to 15.5 volts you can set to meet almost any battery charging specification.
BTW, the only way to tell if an AGM is fully charged is by noting how many amps it is accepting. When amps taper down to (depends!) you are "full." THAT means you must have an ammeter that can do big amps (for when first starting the recharge), which hardly any RVer has. I use my Trimetric as an ammeter for that, but also you can use a portable charger- many of them have an amps display.
Some AGMs have a specified amps limit while being bulk charged too, like 27 or 30 amps per 100 AH. My two 100s are like that, so a 55 amp charger is just right for the pair. OTOH some AGMs can take more amps per 100AH.
Mex says do not obsess about the various charging specs, but IMO if you can meet the specs, then why not do what they say?
If you are getting a new converter anyway, check out the new PowerMax line called their " LK" model which has two modes: three stage and adjustable voltage mode. That gives you a range of 13 to 15.5 volts you can set to meet almost any battery charging specification.
BTW, the only way to tell if an AGM is fully charged is by noting how many amps it is accepting. When amps taper down to (depends!) you are "full." THAT means you must have an ammeter that can do big amps (for when first starting the recharge), which hardly any RVer has. I use my Trimetric as an ammeter for that, but also you can use a portable charger- many of them have an amps display.
