Mixing AGM and Flooded Cell Batteries
Hi I tried posting this question earlier today but it apparently did not go through. I have a mobile hotspot and in some locations the data transmission is spotty. Any way, here is my question. My...
Forum Discussion
I don't know what is a no brainer because I don't know your complete situation.
It is better to have all the batteries in a bank the same, but you can get away with mixing within reason (they will all do ok on the one converter, eg). If you mix them you have to make battery minding more of a hobby to keep them all in good shape doing their monthly or whenever 100% recharges separately. If you don't want to fuss with batteries so much, keep them the same.
Once you mix you are stuck with that for years though. If you got two 6s to go with the two existing 12s, then later replaced the 12s with 6s, now your 6s are different ages. That is worse, because it is part worn out batteries that hurt new batteries when banked, rather than problems between say new 12s and new 6s. Now you have to keep the old 6s and the new 6s apart, which can be a difficulty.
I got caught with that when I first had two 6s and then got two new 12s because then here, they were way cheaper than new 6s. ( That has changed now 12s and 6s are closer in price) The 6s and 12s worked together ok. Then I got another 12 and had three 12s and two 6s. Then the 6s died and I got two more and then the 12s died and I got two more 6s, so I ended up with four 6s finally after years, and only six months age difference) Then I got two used 12s unexpectedly, so now I have them in a separate bank from the four 6s.
You can save yourself from all that if you want. :)
You may or may not have other uses for the existing batteries; you might prefer not to spend more now on new ones and have to toss those 12s
If you just got two new 12s, their ages are no problem, and you have the option of using one as starting and three as house if you don't want the risk ( of whatever degree you judge that to be) of using all four for both jobs. Years later when they all wear out together you could try four 6s. If you don't want to wait for years, do it now.
I don't know, you are the one having all the fun figuring out what to do! :)
It is better to have all the batteries in a bank the same, but you can get away with mixing within reason (they will all do ok on the one converter, eg). If you mix them you have to make battery minding more of a hobby to keep them all in good shape doing their monthly or whenever 100% recharges separately. If you don't want to fuss with batteries so much, keep them the same.
Once you mix you are stuck with that for years though. If you got two 6s to go with the two existing 12s, then later replaced the 12s with 6s, now your 6s are different ages. That is worse, because it is part worn out batteries that hurt new batteries when banked, rather than problems between say new 12s and new 6s. Now you have to keep the old 6s and the new 6s apart, which can be a difficulty.
I got caught with that when I first had two 6s and then got two new 12s because then here, they were way cheaper than new 6s. ( That has changed now 12s and 6s are closer in price) The 6s and 12s worked together ok. Then I got another 12 and had three 12s and two 6s. Then the 6s died and I got two more and then the 12s died and I got two more 6s, so I ended up with four 6s finally after years, and only six months age difference) Then I got two used 12s unexpectedly, so now I have them in a separate bank from the four 6s.
You can save yourself from all that if you want. :)
You may or may not have other uses for the existing batteries; you might prefer not to spend more now on new ones and have to toss those 12s
If you just got two new 12s, their ages are no problem, and you have the option of using one as starting and three as house if you don't want the risk ( of whatever degree you judge that to be) of using all four for both jobs. Years later when they all wear out together you could try four 6s. If you don't want to wait for years, do it now.
I don't know, you are the one having all the fun figuring out what to do! :)
