How to boost charge AGM batteries in storage?
The manual for my Lifeline 100 Amp Hour Deep Cycle AGM 12 volt batteries says this: "While in storage, batteries should be boost charged every 90 days or when open circuit voltage drops to 12.5 vol...
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http://lifelinebatteries.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/6-0101-Rev-E-Lifeline-Technical-Manual.pdf
Page 20 has the 20% mention but is for deeper than 50% DOD cycling. They do say if you don't have that many amps of a charger, you could use their constant current final stage trick (hard to do with normal charging equipment)
That is in contrast with Trojan's 20% for all Bulk stage AGM charging (which would have to be under 75% SOC to get any Bulk Stage with a 20% initial charging rate)
The Lifeline manual does give some times for the Absorption stage, which are not very long, but not clear on the whole profile those times go with seems to me.
That Lifeline blurb also mentions progressive capacity loss from a series of incomplete recharging like 50-90s when you would get sulphation and then have to do a reconditioning. That desulphation would not harm the battery anywhere near as much as leaving it sulphated IMO.
In all cases you still need an ammeter to see when you are down to 0.5a/100AH. Your charger or converter can't tell you that. It especially can't tell you that the amps being accepted have started to rise again after tapering! Oops. Stop the recharge! the battery is heating up.
Page 20 has the 20% mention but is for deeper than 50% DOD cycling. They do say if you don't have that many amps of a charger, you could use their constant current final stage trick (hard to do with normal charging equipment)
That is in contrast with Trojan's 20% for all Bulk stage AGM charging (which would have to be under 75% SOC to get any Bulk Stage with a 20% initial charging rate)
The Lifeline manual does give some times for the Absorption stage, which are not very long, but not clear on the whole profile those times go with seems to me.
That Lifeline blurb also mentions progressive capacity loss from a series of incomplete recharging like 50-90s when you would get sulphation and then have to do a reconditioning. That desulphation would not harm the battery anywhere near as much as leaving it sulphated IMO.
In all cases you still need an ammeter to see when you are down to 0.5a/100AH. Your charger or converter can't tell you that. It especially can't tell you that the amps being accepted have started to rise again after tapering! Oops. Stop the recharge! the battery is heating up.
