Replacing House Batteries

[rickvikki]

Good Afternoon Everyone:

We need to replace our 4 6V house batteries on our 2006 Phaeton. Can you replace them maintenance free AGM batteries?

Thanks, vikki and Rick

[Sam_Spade]

Blaster Man wrote:

If you are going to the expense of AGM 6 volt batteries ($300 each), I'd make sure you have the correct charger and it is set exactly as it should be.

Sure that's a valid opinion...but not the only valid one.

Using a "standard" charger on AGM batteries will not hurt anything.
It will not shorten their life.
It simply will not utilize that little extra 5 percent that they can achieve if charged a bit more aggressively.
They still don't gas. They still don't self discharge (nearly as much). They still don't require periodic electrolyte level checks.

Is it good to have a "better" charger with AGMs; sure. Is it necessary; nope not at all.

[Blaster_Man]

Sam Spade wrote:

Blaster Man wrote:

DSDP Don wrote:
Rick, no problem replacing with the AGM, but you'll need to change the settings on your Inverter/Charger to match the batteries.

Good advice, and if you want the AGMs to work correctly, you'll have to do this.

I can't agree with that, at least not the way it is worded.

Most all of the advantages of AGM are still present even with a fixed voltage, single stage "wet cell" charger/converter/inverter.

They might not charge up to 100 percent of their capability but 95 percent roughly matches the capacity of a similar wet cell. This does not mean that they are not working "correctly".

If you are going to the expense of AGM 6 volt batteries ($300 each), I'd make sure you have the correct charger and it is set exactly as it should be.

[wa8yxm]

YES, but the cost is several times higher than flooded wet cells. Make sure you get DEEP cycle and do not get OPTIMA

Deep cycle: recover from very low states of charge better than MARINE/deep cycle or starting batteires.

OPTIMA have only about 60-70 percent of the capacity of a non optima of the same size factor. At a still higher cost (Optima are AGM).

[Ivylog]

It's not the charging, you need to disable the equalization. Need to check the settings on your solar controller too.

[Sam_Spade]

Blaster Man wrote:

DSDP Don wrote:
Rick, no problem replacing with the AGM, but you'll need to change the settings on your Inverter/Charger to match the batteries.

Good advice, and if you want the AGMs to work correctly, you'll have to do this.

I can't agree with that, at least not the way it is worded.

Most all of the advantages of AGM are still present even with a fixed voltage, single stage "wet cell" charger/converter/inverter.

They might not charge up to 100 percent of their capability but 95 percent roughly matches the capacity of a similar wet cell. This does not mean that they are not working "correctly".

[Blaster_Man]

DSDP Don wrote:
Rick, no problem replacing with the AGM, but you'll need to change the settings on your Inverter/Charger to match the batteries. Often, calling the manufacturer of the charger is the best way to get the correct settings....especially if it's a Magnum. They are very helpful.

Good advice, and if you want the AGMs to work correctly, you'll have to do this.

[DSDP_Don]

Rick, no problem replacing with the AGM, but you'll need to change the settings on your Inverter/Charger to match the batteries. Often, calling the manufacturer of the charger is the best way to get the correct settings....especially if it's a Magnum. They are very helpful.

[crasster]

Yes, you can. They should last longer too.

[2oldman]

sure, but if you never dry camp and don't have a big inverter you don't need 4.

[Sam_Spade]

MountainAir05 wrote:
yes

+1
Probably better batteries overall....IF you can get ones that will fit in the same space.

[MountainAir05]

yes