6V AGM Batteries

[BKing49]

I'm wanting to upgrade by dual purpose flooded cell deep cycle 12V house batteries to 6V 200+AH AGM batteries (4 of them). I've looked around and obviously the Trojan T-105 have probably the best reputation but they are flooded cell. Trojan does make a GC2 AGM Deep Cycle battery but they are very expensive! Lifeline batteries of any style get good reviews but the local dealer charges an arm and a leg for each of those. Recently I ran across VMAXTANK AGM batteries in 6V. They are the least expensive I have found but can't seem to locate any kind of review of these batteries.

Anyone on this forum have any experience with these? Ever heard of them? I found them on Amazon.com. Purchase price savings might be eaten up by shipping cost though . . .

bking49

[Veebyes]

Have you considered using a single battery. Using a 4D lifeline AGM here. 4 seasons on it so far. Going strong. We do a mix of with power & dry camping.

[EsoxLucius]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
I believe an AGM is an AGM.

You would then likely be wrong. AGMs of various manufacture can have very different charging profiles. The AGM setting on many chargers would not fully charge my batteries.

[Bill_Satellite]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Bill,

Do the Universals require the same high charge rate as the Lifelines?

I believe an AGM is an AGM. My inverter/charger has an AGM setting so I use that on the assumption that this is OK. My engine alternator uses the fairly standard 13+V to charge the batteries and not 14V so I think the AGM's are pretty flexible as long as you do not discharge them past the 50% SOC.

[DarthMuffin]

I have 4 of the VMAX 6V AGMs. They've been in for a year now (in storage last 4-5 months). No problems. Have had them down to about 60% charge once and they worked like a champ.

A year is hardly a fair shake for a deep cycle AGM though. They'd have to be pretty horrible to wear out in a year!

[2oldman]

..

[BKing49]

Check these out at $260 ea

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=vmax+6V+225AH+battery&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Avmax+6V+225AH+battery

bking49

[EsoxLucius]

There are also Fullriver DC224-6 6-volt GC2 AGM batteries which cost around $270. Two year replacement warranty followed by three year prorated. Battery Systems in Reno carries Fullriver.

I have four Fullriver DC220-6 Group 27 6-volt AGM batteries and they are very good. I think you would be satisfied with either Fullriver or VMAX.

[BKing49]

Thanks all for the responses. I know that Trojan and Lifeline are very good batteries and will last a long time if cared for. I was just trying to find an AGM in 6V that was a little more affordable than the Trojans and Lifelines. I'm wanting to move my house battery bank out of the stock metal can designed for the batteries due to size and the only location I have is under on the the bench seats of the kitchen table which is in the living space. If I use any flooded cell battery I have to figure out how to vent them. I can really only go down under the coach which suggest a powered vent. Really didn't want to do that. So, trying to figure how I might be able to afford AGM's. They don't require a vent. I was really looking to find if any of you have used or heard of this VMAS Charge Tank batteries and if they are any good. They say the plates are made to mil spec. I suppose that good but really don't know.

Thanks for your help.

bking49

[pianotuna]

Hi Bill,

Do the Universals require the same high charge rate as the Lifelines?

[Bill_Satellite]

I recently replaced by old and tired Lifeline AGM batteries with exact replacement Universal Battery AGM's. The cost 1/2 what a Lifeline cost and with a little over a year of usage on them I am very happy.

[pigman1]

Look up the Lifeline AGM battery web site. We've been using their batteries for years. We have over 500w of solar panels, a conventional refrig, 2 satellite dishes and boondock a lot. These are pricey, but they last and they work!!

[EsoxLucius]

Check out VMAX ChargeTanks. They make a 6-volt GC2 225AH AGM that is about as economical and competent as one will find for an AGM. I found them for $250.

http://www.vmaxtanks.com/servlet/the-57/SLA-vmax-tanks-AGM/Detail

[BarneyS]

I have no experience with those batteries but where did you see it in 6 volt? Every one I looked at on their website is a 12 volt battery.

Edit: Finally found one! The MB6-225 but it is $300. Are there others that are less expensive? I had excellent luck with the Trojan T-105's that lasted about 9 years and they were a heck of a lot less than that.
Barney