Battery Issues

[Michealbraunste]

Hi All,

I have noticed that the battery on our 19 doesn't have the capacity it used to have. When the sun is hidden the voltage drops more quickly than it used to. Under load, the voltage drops further than it used to. So we'll probably replace the battery next spring. I've read through a bunch of forum posts. I think I will go with an AGM battery so I am planning to order one from trailer parts online given that we are frequently offshore power and sometimes push our battery maybe further than we should. But which one? Have you bought an AGM battery in Canada? Are the Canadian Tire MotoMaster batteries ok? Is there a better alternative that I've missed?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Or for true deep cycle applications.

Try as I might I just cannot accept any battery that has .060" plates as being true "deep cycle".

Comparing any battery to .105" plates would be tantamount to comparing an Interstate RV battery to a Trojan L-16.

Marine, cyclable then deep cycle are the three grades of batteries available.

There is nothing "wrong" with a cyclable battery for its intended use. But my bus batteries the Rolls L-16 390 amp hour batteries are a hell of a lot more long-lived than a US L-16 battery. Even if the quality was the same (dream on) there is nothing that can replace 040" thicker plates of the Rolls units.

Some weekend warriors do not need ultimate grades of deep cycle batteries. It would be a waste of money. Noting the 97+% retention of ultimate capacity my 31 Lifeline has after six years and full ampacity of the Rolls L-16 batteries in the bus the premium lifespan may not suit the needs of some folks.

But for the sake of the few boondockers who would demand and put pressure on the longevity and survivability of a battery the difference between cyclable and deep cycle may be profound.

[pnichols]

Michealbraunstein wrote:
Hi All,

I have noticed that the battery on our 19 doesn't have the capacity it used to have. When the sun is hidden the voltage drops more quickly than it used to. Under load, the voltage drops further than it used to. So we'll probably replace the battery next spring. I've read through a bunch of forum posts. I think I will go with an AGM battery so I am planning to order one from trailer parts online given that we are frequently offshore power and sometimes push our battery maybe further than we should. But which one? Have you bought an AGM battery in Canada? Are the Canadian Tire MotoMaster batteries ok? Is there a better alternative that I've missed?

Just for reference, here's the true deep cycle 12 volt AGM batteries I use in our RV (two of them): http://www.fullriverbattery.com/product/batteries/DC115-12

[BFL13]

AGMs are not all the same. AFAIK the Can Tire ones are car starting batteries not for RV deep cycling, like these are:

http://www.bestconverter.com/UB121000-100-AH-Deep-Cycle-_p_293.html#.W-sEI1KWxLM

I got mine here, which are the same thing with a different brand. (check the wegosolar home page for where they ship or have local pick up.)

http://www.wegosolar.com/products.php?product=SKR%252d125AGM-Stark-AGM-12V-Solar-Battery-Sealed-125A

[RJsfishin]

AGM,....more expensive w/ less capacity,....don't know why I would want one.

[beemerphile1]

Before replacing the first thing to do is clean and tighten all connections.

[IB853347201]

"Are the Canadian Tire MotoMaster batteries ok?"
Personally I never shop for batteries of any sort at Canadian Tire. I find the better quality for your buck from NAPA or CarQuest.

[theoldwizard1]

A pair of 6V golf cart batteries are still the "best bang for the buck". Trojan does make an AGM golf cart battery (T105-AGM) but they are expensive.

[eHoefler]

Sounds like you are not getting a full charge on the batteries, you may need a bigger charger to handle the load and beable to resyore the batteries charge.