FYI/ what say you

covered wagon wrote:
Thanks all.

You folks using AGM's..... are you finding that they last at lea st as long as the 5 years my electrolytics do? They cost considerably more so you need them to go at least 7 years, I would think.

Not knowing what brand you use and how you're using them I can't say you would be better off with AGM's. I can say that in my experience using an Interstate battery of good quality gave me 3 years at best and required constant attention to maintenance. Since going to AGM's 6 years ago I have not done anything except inspect them yearly during my normal winter maintenance schedule. I think the high vibration of use on a boat in rough waters that I run in has taken a toll on lead acid batteries. My batteries do take a pounding at times.

I am using Lifeline GLP-4CT's and they hold up very well. Under $300.00 with free shipping.

covered wagon wrote:
Thank you Skipbee. I am considering AGM's for my next bank of batteries and have one of the best chargers that will babysit them properly.

My only concern is the lower AH rating that AGM's seem to carry when comparing.

I do want faster charging and longer lasting capacity when batteries are sitting idle.

Can a couple DEKA's in parallel handle running the furnace all night?

I assume you mean a propane furnace with a 12V fan? The fan would draw less than 4 or 5 amps, which would be 40 or 50 amp-hours over a 10 hour night. Almost any battery could handle that.

Thank you Skipbee. I am considering AGM's for my next bank of batteries and have one of the best chargers that will babysit them properly.

My only concern is the lower AH rating that AGM's seem to carry when comparing.

I do want faster charging and longer lasting capacity when batteries are sitting idle.

Can a couple DEKA's in parallel handle running the furnace all night?

bka0721 wrote:

stickbowjoe wrote:
I have bought expensive batteries, and less expensive batteries.

Full timing, plugged into shore power about 60% of the time, they have all gone south in under 2 years.

I am now on my third Autozone biggest, best battery. Or I was last week, when I traded for a new camper.

Good price, 1 year warranty, and they install it.

Works for me.

Batteries are like tires and diesel fuel and engine oil and brake pads to me.

Replace as needed.

Joe

As some have become aware, plugged in to shore power, is a battery killer. Depending on the ATS or Converter, one should disconnect the batteries to keep from killing them. Most Converters have the ability to disconnect the battery charging function. That might save you some of your batteries.

b

Our original Interstate group 29 went 5 years plugged in 24/7/365. It only died because the GFI tripped and it was without power for a couple months. PD9245 charger.

I also never added a single drop of water to it. We didn't run it down low too often so I'm sure that makes a difference.

covered wagon,

I'm in the 4 year range with 3 type 31 AGM's. They have been trouble free so far and the only maintenance has been to clean the terminals each year.

My wife and I lived on a sailing yacht for 23 years and had extensive experience with various sizes, brands,and prices of batteries. We found on average that after the third year we could expect batteries to lose effectiveness. Sometimes some would go longer, some less.

I would not consider going back to lead/acid, the benefits of the AGM are much less corncern. They are a vast improvement in battery tech. They appear to take a charge faster, hold the charge better, I do not have think about the batteries as much. Until the next improvements are released I'll be using AGM's. The DEKA Brand was the best priced when I was looking.

Thanks all.

You folks using AGM's..... are you finding that they last at least as long as the 5 years my electrolytics do? They cost considerably more so you need them to go at least 7 years, I would think.


Thank You

covered wagon wrote:

skipbee wrote:
You might consider AGM batteries, they are pretty much maintenance free, no water to add. Penn Manufacturing makes the Deka brand which we have used for several years, I will never go back to lead/acid batteries. The AGM's charge quicker, hold the charge better. I just clean the terminals annually. They are not as expensive as the ones you mention, I believe.

Skip why are AGM's better? I heard because you cannot add water to them they won't last as long simply because the water/ electrolyte does evaporate in the long run.

Also does AGM's last longer?

Thank you, Mike

AGM are sealed (they do vent in extreme overcharging) so the hydrogen does not escape. There is recombination inside the battery, thus they do not need water added.

Could you elaborate on that?

Can I just push in that switch on my Lance when I'm on shore power?

Will my battery go dead then? Should I turn it back on when the monitor says the charge is low?

I am weary of buying batteries.

Joe

stickbowjoe wrote:
I have bought expensive batteries, and less expensive batteries.

Full timing, plugged into shore power about 60% of the time, they have all gone south in under 2 years.

I am now on my third Autozone biggest, best battery. Or I was last week, when I traded for a new camper.

Good price, 1 year warranty, and they install it.

Works for me.

Batteries are like tires and diesel fuel and engine oil and brake pads to me.

Replace as needed.

Joe

As some have become aware, plugged in to shore power, is a battery killer. Depending on the ATS or Converter, one should disconnect the batteries to keep from killing them. Most Converters have the ability to disconnect the battery charging function. That might save you some of your batteries.

b