Battery questions

[Lovetheroad75]

OK, I have been looking through several forums and have read a lot about batteries for RV's and I see that a lot of people have a lot of different opinions regarding what kind and size batteries are best. I found a really good deal on some very large deep cycle batteries and I would like to know if anyone has used this size/type of battery before and what your experience was like. Did they work well for running the RV? Did you use solar panels at all with them? Please let me know; I am very interested in buying some of these if they will work well with a RV.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC260-12-Deep-Cycle-AGM-Battery-/331989196959?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[Lovetheroad75]

The e-bay add says that shipping is $10.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC260-12-Deep-Cycle-AGM-Battery-/331989196959?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[Veebyes]

Another fan of AGM here. Lifeline 4D AGM, installed spring of 2010, going strong, stored disconnected every winter no trickle charger.

Another good battery is the gel cell. Have a 2003 group 31 gel cell at home still going. These days it get used as a hurricane battery to run a small inverter for phone charging & other light loads when the power goes out. Came in handy last week when hurricane Nichole ran right over Bermuda & power was down for a few days.

[EsoxLucius]

Fullriver AGM charging profile is closer to that of flooded golf cart batteries than other AGM batteries. 14.7 volts bulk and absorption, and 13.7 volts float. If you don't have custom setting on your charger don't just set it to "AGM" without comparing that particular charging profile with the Fullriver AGM charging requirements.

[EsoxLucius]

Price is good, product is good, warranty is the best. I have four Fullriver DC220-6 AGMs that are almost four years old. Never a problem. How much is shipping? Might be able to get them locally for the same or lesser price without paying for shipping.

Battery Outfitters or Continental Batteries in Missouri.

[OLYLEN]

Agree with harold1946. T 105's @ four would run $500 plus and not have the storage of two of these. AGM's will charge faster and as said maintenance free, but they are big and heavy.

LEN

[Lovetheroad75]

Good point.
Thanks for the hint!

[Lovetheroad75]

Thank you!

[harold1946]

Lovetheroad75 wrote:
Thank you very much for the insight. Do you think that these are listed at a good price? I can't find anything even close, but I have never bought them before.

Yes that is a very fair price.
Be sure the charger is capable of supporting AGMs to take full advantage of their capabilities.
AGMs will not freeze even if fully discharged.
Accept a charge up to ten times as fast as conventional batteries.
Self discharge rate is only 1-3 percent per month.
No corrosion issues.
No water monitoring needed.

[Lovetheroad75]

Thanks everyone; I appreciate the insight!

[Trackrig]

Unless you're a very die-hard off-grid camper and need the very best batteries, I think the best batteries are the most economical batteries which I think at the Costco 6V batteries for $87 each. I'm currently running Trojan T125s at well over $100 each.

You can afford to change out the Costco batteries twice as often as the Trojans. Buy the Costco batteries, save some money, maybe figure out to mount 6 of them and install some solar. You'll be money ahead in the end.

Bill

[Lovetheroad75]

Thank you very much for the insight. Do you think that these are listed at a good price? I can't find anything even close, but I have never bought them before.

[harold1946]

I have used them and consider them one of the best 8D AGMs available. Right up there with Rolls. Be sure the battery tray can handle the load at 170+ lbs. each. I have 645 watts of solar which worked very well.

[Lovetheroad75]

What I really want to know is if anyone has any experience using these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC260-12-Deep-Cycle-AGM-Battery-/331989196959?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[enblethen]

What voltage are the current batteries?
Are they coach, chassis or both?
If they are coach batteries I would suggest six volt batteries wired in a series parallel configuration. Six volt batteries are normally available at Costo or Sam's Club for around $80 each.