AGM Batteries and Inverter - What Is Best For My Needs?

[Roadlover]

I'm looking at purchasing a couple of group 31, AGM, deep cycle batteries and a new inverter for our AF 1150. We enjoy dry camping but always rely on a generator for making our morning coffee and for my wife to blow dry and curl her hair. So, what direction should I take as far as the correct batteries and inverter? My local CarQuest dealer has 31 group AGM, deep cell batteries for $248.99 each. They said the manufacturer for the batteriy is East Penn. Thanks for your help!

[deltabravo]

Running the hair dryer for a few minutes won't take "several hours" to replace the power used.

I use my microwave for 3-5 minutes at a time and it doesn't take several hours to replace that usage, and a hair dryer would be similar.

My AF811 needs new batteries in a bad way, it needed them 2 years ago, but I don't use the camper enough right now to warrant the replacement (upgrade) to AGM batteries. I plan to use Deka AGM batteries because there's a distributor for them locally. Deka = East Penn.

[Bob__B]

HMS Beagle wrote:

It isn't a matter of voltage, it is simply a matter of time. In ALL lead acid batteries (flooded, AGM, Gel, TPLC) the rate of charge acceptance falls off as they approach fully charged. The best of them in this respect are the thin plate (Odyssey type), but it still takes several hours of low current charge to get from 80% or 90% to 100%. Complicating that is that AGM batteries really should be recharged to 100% periodically or they will die young. Most people do not want to run there generator for 6 hours to charge the batteries, particularly when you can get to 90% in 2.

So either solar, which will fully charge the batteries every day if you are in any kind of sun; or flooded cells, which tolerate not returning to full charge better than AGM. Flooded cells will begin to sulfate in this service just about as fast, but you have the option of equalizing them (if your charger has the ability) which helps to restore their capacity. You cannot do this with most AGM or other sealed batteries, because it results in the loss of some water which cannot be replaced in those types.

A couple questions.....do you have an example of a charger that has the ability to equalize a battery?

Are the thin cell Odyssey batteries wet cell or AGM?

I had heard that the Sears Platinum 31 were made by Odessey, does anyone know if that is true?

[Roadlover]

scottz wrote:
If you are looking for an inverter I recomend Xantrex PROWatt SW2000.

Thanks, Scottz for this recommendation. I found it for sale at a place called Hodges Marine for $338. From what I've seen, this is a good price for a 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter. I think I'll probably order it. Thanks again.

[covered_wagon]

JShiv wrote:
Thanks all. I may have confused you guys a little - I don't think they went bad, I think they were left unattended several months without being unplugged. My question is whether the current Lance setup will handle the AGMs or if I need to change any component. Some have said to simply switch. Others have spiralled off into unknown (to me)acronyms with all sorts of changes. If it helps at all, we have agen set and no solar.
Thanks again,

Shiv

A smart charger will unplug at the correct time. Overcharging (boiling) is as bad or worse than never charging a battery.

Those unregulated non computer controlled rv chargers, called 'convertor' are worse, more cheaply built than the least expensive of automotive chargers. At least the automotive battery chargers know when to shut down and not ruin a new battery.

I just cringed the other day when an rv dealer was selling the same p.o.s. convertor to a new rv owner without explaining needs for a regulated convertor. Here the guy was a doctor and can afford the best yet all they wanted was to get rid of this old stock, no longer selling battery boiler as I call them. To me, it was almost criminal.

[JShiv]

Thanks all. I may have confused you guys a little - I don't think they went bad, I think they were left unattended several months without being unplugged. My question is whether the current Lance setup will handle the AGMs or if I need to change any component. Some have said to simply switch. Others have spiralled off into unknown (to me)acronyms with all sorts of changes. If it helps at all, we have agen set and no solar.
Thanks again,

Shiv

[covered_wagon]

JShiv wrote:
Probably a dumb question, but I need a smart answer. I have a Lance 950s with 2 group 27 flooded cell batteries that didn't last a year. I would like to replace them with AGMs because of their location. Does anyone know whether I can just install them with no other modification?

Thanks in advance
Shiv

PS. I have tried to look at Progressive Dynamaics web site but it won't open.

Those convertors that don't have a computer controlled charge are overcharging your group 27's. They are getting boiled to death. This is a typical scenario of batteries only lasting a year with those unregulated charging convertors. Look into group 31's for batteries. See if they'll fit but please remove the boiler first.

HMS Beagle has got a better grasp on this subject than most here.... he is well read/ experienced.

My batteries are 100 amp hour rated for 85 bucks a piece Sometimes on sale for less.. some I bought at the 64 dollar mark. I like the least expensive with the most I can pump during bulk charge. rest of the time they can sulfate until I get back to plugging somewhere.

I don't worry about them except I removed the boiler and put in a smart charger.

[Ivylog]

JShiv wrote:
Probably a dumb question, but I need a smart answer. I have a Lance 950s with 2 group 27 flooded cell batteries that didn't last a year. I would like to replace them with AGMs because of their location.

If your batteries only lasted a year you have a dumb charger and it will kill AGMs too. Not only do you need a smart charger, you needone that can be adjusted for AGM. If you have a lot of solar you need a controller that can be adjusted for AGM too.

[time2roll]

JShiv wrote:
Probably a dumb question, but I need a smart answer. I have a Lance 950s with 2 group 27 flooded cell batteries that didn't last a year. I would like to replace them with AGMs because of their location. Does anyone know whether I can just install them with no other modification?

Thanks in advance
Shiv

PS. I have tried to look at Progressive Dynamaics web site but it won't open.

Yes, AGM will drop right in. Best to have three stage charging. PD converter is perfect.

[JShiv]

Probably a dumb question, but I need a smart answer. I have a Lance 950s with 2 group 27 flooded cell batteries that didn't last a year. I would like to replace them with AGMs because of their location. Does anyone know whether I can just install them with no other modification?

Thanks in advance
Shiv

PS. I have tried to look at Progressive Dynamaics web site but it won't open.

[HMS_Beagle]

Bob B wrote:


I have read that charging with a generator tends to NOT fully charge the batteries, and therefore reduces the battery life. Is there a battery charger with an output voltage that can be adjusted to make sure you get the batteries fully topped off....or is it better to get them mostly charged with the generator and then top them off with the solar?

It isn't a matter of voltage, it is simply a matter of time. In ALL lead acid batteries (flooded, AGM, Gel, TPLC) the rate of charge acceptance falls off as they approach fully charged. The best of them in this respect are the thin plate (Odyssey type), but it still takes several hours of low current charge to get from 80% or 90% to 100%. Complicating that is that AGM batteries really should be recharged to 100% periodically or they will die young. Most people do not want to run there generator for 6 hours to charge the batteries, particularly when you can get to 90% in 2.

So either solar, which will fully charge the batteries every day if you are in any kind of sun; or flooded cells, which tolerate not returning to full charge better than AGM. Flooded cells will begin to sulfate in this service just about as fast, but you have the option of equalizing them (if your charger has the ability) which helps to restore their capacity. You cannot do this with most AGM or other sealed batteries, because it results in the loss of some water which cannot be replaced in those types.

[2oldman]

Bob B wrote:
..or is it better to get them mostly charged with the generator and then top them off with the solar?

yes

[Bob__B]

I am in the process of fixing up my old Lance and want to do quite a lot of boondocking. I need to put some solar on it ....and have a generator....The variety of opinions on the subject are REALLY confusing.
Maybe the variety of opinions mean that there are several configurations that will work well.

I have read that charging with a generator tends to NOT fully charge the batteries, and therefore reduces the battery life. Is there a battery charger with an output voltage that can be adjusted to make sure you get the batteries fully topped off....or is it better to get them mostly charged with the generator and then top them off with the solar?

I guess if traveling a little every day, it would be possible to also get a good charge from the vehicle if set up correctly.

[covered_wagon]

cewillis wrote:

covered wagon wrote:
I get almost twice the number of amp hours of storage for half the price of AGM's

What are your specs?

They are cheap deep cycles. Around 65 to 84 dollars each on the latest pricing.

I'll post later what the rating is.

I like cheap because sometimes I can get new ones under an advertised better more competitive warrantee for free.

[scottz]

I don't use my camper in the winter or much in cold weather. I also store my camper at a friends property off-season. Not having to worry about the battery charge is a big plus for me!

6.5 years on my Lifeline Group27 and they have been good to me so far. Pretty much installed them and forgot about them.
If you are looking for an inverter I recomend Xantrex PROWatt SW2000.

[2oldman]

I got AGMs for a simple reason: No maintenance. After 12 years of watering batteries, I earned it.