Changing battery Bank of 4 batteries--AGM?

[howardwheeler]

I have 4 size 30 deep cycle flooded batteries that are about 6 years old. I want to change them before a big trip I'll be making this summer. I run a residential frig. I saw Cabelas has AGM marine batteries size 30 on sale for $199 each. I have waterers for my old batteries, but it would be nice to not have to keep the batteries full of H20. Anyone have thoughts on suitability of Cabelas AGM for my RV? I have a Xantrex SW2000 inverter/charger that has a AGM setting.

[howardwheeler]

Just a quick report. I did get four new batteries and got them successfully installed using the advice given here. Everything is working great. I had to go back with Sam's Club flooded batteries because the whole trailer shut down because of low voltage and I didn't have time to run down enough AGM batteries to replace the ones I had. The local Cabelas only had two. I wound up putting in Sam's 29HM deep cycle EverReady batteries. They are like the ones I took out and had lasted for 6 years. I'm hoping all will continue to go well. Thanks

[howardwheeler]

Well, how's this for timing. Last night the lights began to dim and have now gone out. Battery voltage this morning is at 6.4! I reset the Xantrex PS inverter/charger, and my gauge says it immediately started bulk charging, charging amps went up to around 88 and voltage started going up. Then after a minute it shut down, that is, stopped charging, then restarted, and followed that pattern for a while. One battery is warm and slightly swollen. I think my batteries are indeed dead! I'm not sure whether the Xantrex has some sort of safety shut off with a bad battery or not, but after resetting it did immediately start bulk charging so I'm hoping its not the problem. I replaced my old Freedom modified sine wave unit for this pure sine wave one (2000 watt) a couple of years ago.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Those recommended voltages sound suspicious. If they are Chinese batteries beware.

[larry_barnhart]

howardwheeler wrote:
Hello Larry, Yes, I'm having the telltale signs that my six year old batteries are going south on me. I'm going on a big trip and don't want to worry about them. It seems like it's time to change, but I'm not sure whether to change out with new flooded cell batteries or some sort of AGM. I want to stay with size 30 because all my cables (and I have a lot of them) are heavy and set for the current setup.

We do just fine with our 4 group 27 batteries. we don't boondock but can using our Honda 1000i to run the battery charger plugged into the same plug that hooks to the truck. Not trying to change your mind but simpler works for me.

chevman

[howardwheeler]

Hello Larry, Yes, I'm having the telltale signs that my six year old batteries are going south on me. I'm going on a big trip and don't want to worry about them. It seems like it's time to change, but I'm not sure whether to change out with new flooded cell batteries or some sort of AGM. I want to stay with size 30 because all my cables (and I have a lot of them) are heavy and set for the current setup.

[Ivylog]

I went AGM seven years ago after fighting corrosion... even painting with acid proof paint. Have not looked at those batteries in a couple of years as there is no corrosion, even on the cable lugs.
Need to change to AGM settings in your solar controller too.

[larry_barnhart]

Sometimes I think making changes is not worth the trouble. Are you having issues with your setup to want something different?
chevman

[Chris_Bryant]

Sam Spade wrote:

howardwheeler wrote:
I have 4 size 30 deep cycle flooded batteries that are about 6 years old. I want to change them before a big trip I'll be making this summer.

More information is needed.

It sounds like these are NOT AGMs.
If not, you should NOT use the AGM setting on a charger as the voltages are slightly higher and likely will cause excess gassing.

Also your post implies that they are not charged now.
If they have been sitting around for a year or more without any charging, it's likely that they are stone cold dead now and damaged beyond repair.

You need to read the whole thing-

howardwheeler wrote:
Anyone have thoughts on suitability of Cabelas AGM for my RV? I have a Xantrex SW2000 inverter/charger that has a AGM setting.

[Sam_Spade]

howardwheeler wrote:
I have 4 size 30 deep cycle flooded batteries that are about 6 years old. I want to change them before a big trip I'll be making this summer.

More information is needed.

It sounds like these are NOT AGMs.
If not, you should NOT use the AGM setting on a charger as the voltages are slightly higher and likely will cause excess gassing.

Also your post implies that they are not charged now.
If they have been sitting around for a year or more without any charging, it's likely that they are stone cold dead now and damaged beyond repair.

[Chris_Bryant]

I would NOT use the Xantrex AGM setting- if you look at the somewhat slim specs on that Cabelas battery, they recommend absorb voltage of 14.8 and float of 13.5.(Figures found buried on this page specs
I don't have the figures handy, but I am sure that is way off what the stock Xantex AGM setting does- use the custom setting and set it to the makers specs. If you can find more and better specs- like temperature compensation, you can set that also.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Converter voltage should be reset for AGM. An after-action-report would be nice 🙂

[Flapper]

I have the 2 older equivalents to their current x-900 in my boat for trolling (true deep cycle, group 31, 220RC). Going on year 6, with no issues. Great batteries. But I had to switch to AGM as acid splash out was an issue when getting pounded going over waves. Very hefty price for those.

[time2roll]

Not exactly Lifeline but looks like a good value for the money.

[2oldman]

It's not a true deep cycle, but I think it'd be fine.

I'd rather see you get 4 6v instead of the 12s for more ah capacity.