Batteries - simple question

La Gasser wrote:
X2 on AGM batteries - my 1st experience with them was on a 2008 camper with Lifeline brand. Traded the camper in 9 years later and still had the original batteries. New trailer going on 3 years with Interstate AGM batteries with no problems. In most cases the batteries on rv's are hard to access to check and water levels plus some build up acid on the posts. With AGM, no water to check and no acid to clean. I wouldn't have any other type of battery on an rv even though they costs more. AGM batteries can be shipped by UPS unlike flooded batteries.

:R

Hate to tell you, with VERY LITTLE "maintenance", wet cells CAN easily last 11 to 12 yrs with very little loss of capacity.

My current TT, I just changed my set of 6V wet cell GC2s, that set was 10 yrs old.

The ONLY reason I changed them was I DEPEND on that pair to run my home fridge conversion while driving and overnighting and the old set had lost about 10%-15% of it's new capacity.

I have easily had flooded auto starting batteries go 15 yrs before they lost enough capacity to start in zero degree weather.

Folks who PUSH AGMs as the ONLY solution are doing folks a disfavor.

Not everyone will benefit using AGMs.

Depending on your camping style, the cheapest no maintenance group24 RV/marine battery for $50 will be fine and give 8-10 yrs of use with proper good converter/charger.

AGMs by their nature have nearly 10%-20% LESS capacity for the same size. You WILL pay 20%-50% HIGHER PRICE.

I have never had to "clean up" acid with my wet GC batteries and pretty much no other automotive batteries. If you having to clean up Acid you HAVE a problem with that battery, either the terminal seals, over charging or too much electrolyte.

I should take a photo of my 6V GC battery terminals and post it some time, they are clean enough to eat off.. No corrosion, no acid, no grease, no dirt... And I have done NOTHING to them, no cleaning, no nothing.

As far as watering goes, as wet cells age, you will need to add some, but if you have a GOOD converter/charger it will be minimal. when my last set was 8 or nine yrs old, typically only needed 20 oz of water for all 6 cells per yr. Not a big deal like most folks here would have folks believe.

And if you have an absolute hate for watering or they are in a difficult place to get to, then buy a self watering kit, it can be reused on the next set of GC batts.

My wet GC2s are in a bay and are tucked back in that bay, they sit in a plastic bin, they are hard to slide in an out so I only check the water level once a year..

I am pleased with the performance and life of my wet GC2s and I spent less money and have 20% more capacity, they capacity is what I need. With AGMs I would have to have 2 pairs of GC2 size to get the capacity my fridge needs..

Believe it or not folks, you REALLY do not have to buy "designer" or "exotic" batteries to camp..