Should I swap GC2s out for Lifeline AGM?
Planning to swap out my 2 year old GC2 batteries (Interstate brand) for 2 six volt AGM Lifelines (220 Amp Hour bank). I dry camp several times a year for a few days and want to extend my electrical c...
Forum Discussion
wa8yxm wrote:
I would not go to AGM unless there was an issue with access for maintenance (Watering) or I had to mount them other than "This way up"
now for SOME uses. AGM has advantages. But for RV use. there is nearly never any advantage to them... EXCEPT TO THE SELLERS (MORE PROFIT).
Well .... like you say .... "Now for some uses."
AGM batteries charge faster using any type of 12V DC charging source due to their lower intrinsic resistance - which is based on simple electrical principles. So for those of us RV'ers who don't use solar for recharging, AGM batteries offer a charging speed advantage. For example when driving our alternator will completely recharge our 230 AH AGM battery bank from 50%-60% in 3-4 hours, and when camped our 650 watt portable generator will bring them up "nicely" (not fully) in around 5-6 hours on 1/2 gallon of gas.
By the way regarding solar, my BIL just ordered a high end four-season TT from Canada and he did not opt for the roof solar option. His reason - experiences from hail storms have taught him to not have something on the roof that can get shattered. He'll probably buy a Honda EU2200i for battery charging and air conditioning. Smart moves if one believes that U.S. weather may be changing to being more unpredictable.
