How long do we want batteries to last ?

[RJsfishin]

IMO, and IME, nothing is simpler to maintain than LA RV batteries. When connected to a decent charger, and watered once...maybe twice a year, and maybe hosed off once in a while, they last an easy 8-10 yrs.
How is it that some insist on making batteries appear to be the most complicated component of an RV, by continued posts of charging AGMs, etc etc etc w/ no end in site. And they all end up at the same conclusion,...no one knows what their even talking about, including the manufactures,....all having their own, and different ideas.
The fact is that no matter how you charge them w/ a decent 3 stage charger, LA or AGM, they are all going to last 8-10 yrs, if given the slightest bit of care.
I have read so many threads about AGMs, they nearly make me ill.
But keep them coming, because every one of them make them out to so complicated, and over priced, that I would be a fool to ever buy one.
But, I am curious,.....just how long are ya all trying to get them to last ? Seems like ya all wood spend more time polishing yer rigs, and less time on overpriced complicated AGM batteries !

[NinerBikes]

john&bet wrote:
My rig is an '05 bought new in Feb. of '05. It still has the oem battery that has been discharged a few times. It is plugged in 24/7 at home with the oem converter. That is 9 years now and I check the water and add as needed once a year before we start a new season of travel. Guess I one lucky dude.

Nah, it just means you're not abusive to your battery and you're doing something right.

[john_bet]

My rig is an '05 bought new in Feb. of '05. It still has the oem battery that has been discharged a few times. It is plugged in 24/7 at home with the oem converter. That is 9 years now and I check the water and add as needed once a year before we start a new season of travel. Guess I one lucky dude.

[Old___Slow]

Rich,


Reading these posts says to me: The battery and our body are somewhat the same. We are electro chemical.


O&S
Floyd

[sum1]

RJsfishin wrote:

sum1 wrote:
Although batteries don't seem to last like they used to, .

Quote:
And IMHO batteries have improved significantly over the years.

Ok, which is it ?

Aw, c'mon Rich. That second quote couldn't have been from me!

[OnaQuest]

DUNEBUGGYDOUG wrote:
Hey RJsfishin, it is y'all not ya all

.....and it's "would" not "wood".

[MEXICOWANDERER]

pdogg wrote:
It's a well known fact that here in the hot Desert of Arizona, we can't get flooded wet cell batteries to last as long as more moderate climates. I just got about 4 years out of my Costco golf cart batteries. Normal Car batteries can be relied upon to last about 2 years and die suddenly with no warning.

The heat is killer on them and I don't care how much you spend, they'll die early.. That's why I never over spend on boutique brand batteries because nobody gets any life out of them.

This is "The Classic" call for using a TROPIC BLEND of electrolyte rather than the OEM density.

With a brand new battery, adjust electrolyte density down. This means less acid, more water.

Take the acid density from 1.280 to 1.260

Everything from Swooning Butterfly, to Rolls, and Crown flooded batteries must have this done in hot climes or suffer the consequences.

The batteries must be new for best results.

Any chemical reaction gets angrier as the temperature goes up.

Sulfuric acid eats things for a living. Hot sulfuric acid is awesome. Don't get in it's way.

[mena661]

RJsfishin wrote:

So you really think the MFG has had more experience w/ their AGM batteries, than all the AGM users combined on this forum ??
You probably believe your owners manual knows best how many miles to change your oil too !

LOL! You always crack me up RJ.

[RJsfishin]

sum1 wrote:
Although batteries don't seem to last like they used to, .

Quote:
And IMHO batteries have improved significantly over the years.

Ok, which is it ?

[RJsfishin]

Quote:
I feel your pain, but if I had to choose between this forum or the manufacturer's advice, I'd go with the latter
............................................................
So you really think the MFG has had more experience w/ their AGM batteries, than all the AGM users combined on this forum ??
You probably believe your owners manual knows best how many miles to change your oil too !

[sum1]

Although batteries don't seem to last like they used to, I abuse and neglect them and get what I deserve out of them.

[pianotuna]

Hi 2old,

Temperature corrected charging helps with lifespans.

[2oldman]

ktmrfs wrote:
And that set of batteries only had a peak load of maybe 25A, usually closer to 10A.

That's probably why mine don't last.. I work them hard. Microwave, coffee maker.. not unusual around my place. And I'm in the hot desert a lot.

Down here in So Cal you're lucky to get 5 years out of a set of golf cart batteries in an actual golf cart.

[ktmrfs]

2oldman wrote:

skipnchar wrote:
I get over 8 years from a set of flooded cell t-105s.

At what age do you start noticing weakness? Perhaps we have different criteria for when to replace. I can notice a definite weakening at around 4 years.

I went from 2 to 4 GC so I swapped out batteries. The "old" ones were 8 year old T-125's. Gave them to my SIL's folks. SG was still 1.285, load test voltage drop test was within about 10mv (0.010v) of my new set. When we both went dry camping they held up fine. That 8 year old set was regularly discharged to 30%SOC (70%DOD) on the order of 20 times/year.

How close to new capacity?? Don't know, but based on how I usually used them, which was pretty consistent, I'd say they had lost at most 20% of original capacity.

Always made sure the battery water level was above the plates, added distilled water as needed. I just made sure when we returned from a trip they were FULLY charged before going into storage. And never let them go below 30%SOC,(70%DOD) near the lower limit recomended by Trojan. Since I used my Trimetric monitor to gauge DOD, I didn't want to push the 20% SOC (80%DOD) limit recomended by Trojan. And I would use a good SG meter (recomended by Mex) a couple of times/year and do an equalization if needed.

And that set of batteries only had a peak load of maybe 25A, usually closer to 10A.

I suspect they have several years life in them. We shall see how they hold up.

And IMHO batteries have improved significantly over the years. I just replaced the starting batteries in my Silverado Diesel after 10 years and 125K miles. And they did have a few times when it was pretty much run down to "empty" by accident. And my mercedes OEM battery was going strong after 15 years, just replaced it on general principles. Dealer said not unusual, they usually last at least 12 years, he had seen many good after 15+ years.

Don't think DW would have liked to have had it go bad on her on the way to work.

[pdogg]

It's a well known fact that here in the hot Desert of Arizona, we can't get flooded wet cell batteries to last as long as more moderate climates. I just got about 4 years out of my Costco golf cart batteries. Normal Car batteries can be relied upon to last about 2 years and die suddenly with no warning.

The heat is killer on them and I don't care how much you spend, they'll die early.. That's why I never over spend on boutique brand batteries because nobody gets any life out of them.

[mena661]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:

All these conveniences will therefore allow a lot more time for constructive things, like interminable hours spent with suicidal grade boredom. Or more time for doctor visits due to cardiovascular disease caused by inactivity.

LMAO!!!

Vapor_Trails wrote:
Heh-heh. And here it is:

I've said this a few times in different threads recently.

Too much work for me. I like to sit on the beach on my vacations, not hook up charger alligator clips to batteries and pour gas in generators.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi 2old,

low voltage low amperage charging.

2oldman wrote:
I wish I knew the secret to annual watering.

14.8V charging here but now that I think about, my real secret just might be only one cycle a month tops.