NRALIFR wrote:
Thanks for the update on how your VMAX batteries are doing, Eric. Sorry it went sideways. I’m always interested to read about others experience with this brand, since it isn’t quite as well known.
Just speaking for myself, when I was in the market for a new battery, I was able to find enough information on the VMAX website, plus anecdotal and credible evidence elsewhere (not in the same place, of course) that these batteries were worth risking some money on. Plus, they seemed competitively priced.
Anyone who is truly curious about their quality, and yet skeptical of reports by average owners like us (nimrods? :W ) that lack the scientific evidence they so clearly demand has the same options we did. Buy one and put it through a stress test, then tell us why it’s a POS, or not. They aren’t prohibitively priced. Or, use the company “Contact Us” page to request the kind of data you require to make a purchase decision. I’m afraid you’re never going to get the level of documentation and logs you desire from me on a battery. That may seem strange, or even negligent to you, but that’s the way it is. I don’t need any new obsessions, thank you.
Eric, I see that you bought the same VMAX battery I did, which is the SLR-125, rather than one of the “MR” models. SLR = solar, and MR = marine. I reasoned that my usage more closely matched the usage of a solar battery bank, than a marine battery that probably needs to also start the boat motor. I’m not a boat guy, so I admit to not knowing jack about how their battery banks are arranged. Was that your reasoning as well?
I don’t have any solar panels on my camper like you do, so recharging when we’re dry camping is via a Yamaha 1000 generator. The maximum short-duration output mine typically sees is <50 amps, although I have occasionally asked it for as much as 100 amps. Running the microwave on the inverter is the heaviest load mine sees. The SLR battery seems to be able to handle it just fine. Other than that, my battery usage is very much like yours.
:):)
I did get the SLR125 x 2 mounted on the tongue of the trailer. I should add that they have never been covered so have been exposed to the elements (mild NorCal) for 6 years as well. I made the tray (welded to frame) for them along with a 2" x .080ish stainless steel strap that goes over the batteries, down through the tray and then has pad locks on each end of the strap. I did get the SLR's specifically for the Solar application that I already had. Which by the way is a 55w GoPower panel and controller that cost roughly $700 on Ebay 16-17 years ago before GoPower was sold through RV dealers & parts suppliers only. I do not have an inverter yet, but we plan on one more summer season in this trailer and then we're going to purchase a new fiver for our 30th anniversary. I have done very little research since back then because my system has been so trouble free, but I plan on our new rig having 1 or 2 100ah Renogy Lithiums along with 400w of solar and a 2000w inverter/charger so I've been reading up on the subject again. In fact I just purchased 2 of the VMAX XCA27-1000 Xtreme Cranking batteries for my wifes 2nd Gen Dodge Cummins and when I started researching VMAX reviews again, my old post on here came up. There are many reviews and comparisons now on the internet and they come highly recommended in several reviews. Unfortunately none of the reviews are scientific enough for some but good enough for someone like me to have some confidence that I'm not getting some POS.
