First Time Boondocking Plan - Tech Question

tplife wrote:

BFL13 wrote:
...AGMs may be wonderful, but I would hate not being able to measure to know for sure...

Instead of using a hydrometer, you use a load tester, around $40.00.
Kendall's right about the time to charge on a converter. Charge advantages are using higher-Amp 110V chargers or alternators to charge the battery. Of course, that's no reason avoid an AGM, unless you like buying new Levis after you change out your batteries. And corrosion in your battery box. Explosive hydrogen gas. And split battery cases when your battery freezes. I'll never know these things because my batteries are AGM.

Agreed. They definitely do have their advantages.

Again, my take...

If you almost always will completely recharge after each draw... you want to "set it and forget it"... and the extra cash is not an issue for you, then by all means... go for it!

This is probably the case for many RVers who rarely stay where there isn't shore power.

However, if you're a boodocker or dry camper of any amount, then a little more research is in order. Topping batteries from 90-100% takes some pretty serious time. IMO... ANYONE who camps without shore power and isn't running the generator for 6 hours each day falls into the latter category. Most of us might run the genny for a couple of hours a day and do successive 40-80s or 50-90% chargers. BFL's exhaustive experimentation efforts have shown, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that "progressive sulfation," or "Progressive Capacity Loss (PCL)" occurs in these instances. And topping to 100% after a trip like this can take some effort. And if you don't do it, the sulfate may harden beyond repair and with it goes some capacity.

We remedy this with controlled overcharging ("equalization.") It's not that hard, really. Just necessary. And this is what the sailors discovered about AGMs. They need it too... only MUCH more care need be taken to keep from blowing one's self up.