new batteries for trailer

[bbaley]

Hi all,
well, I need new batteries.
they are tired.

The question is, I am going camping this weekend.

Can I upgrade to AGM batteries now,
and then after this trip look into whether I need to update charger/inverter to something better for charging them ?

We tend to boondock about 50% of time, and tha tis what this first trip will be. so I expect to run the generator a bit.

[SoundGuy]

DesertTracker wrote:
... and was expecting to upgrade to two Costco 6V batteries, but is this the correct convertor for 6V batteries?

Of course, as you won't be charging those 6 volt jugs individually but rather connected in series so they're the equivalent of a single 12 volt jug.

[Sam_Spade]

DesertTracker wrote:
but is this the correct convertor for 6V batteries? Thanks for any help.

Yes, likely fine.

Two 6's in series makes......one LARGE 12.....so any charger with a large capacity should be OK.

[azrving]

DesertTracker wrote:
At the risk of hi-jacking the OPs thread, I have a related question: I just bought a Progressive dynamics Wildcat 4655L that has a 4 stage charger (14.4, 13.6, 13.2, 14.4 desulfation), and was expecting to upgrade to two Costco 6V batteries, but is this the correct convertor for 6V batteries? Thanks for any help.

It seems like desulfation would be higher. I have a PD 4655 which goes to 14.4 but if doing it again I'd get one that does 14.8. My solar is adjustable and I have an adjustable power supply so it's no big deal but if doing it again.

I have six Sam's club gc2 and always do 14.8 on solar. If you ever go to Trojan they say 14.8 daily charge.

[DesertTracker]

At the risk of hi-jacking the OPs thread, I have a related question: I just bought a Progressive dynamics Wildcat 4655L that has a 4 stage charger (14.4, 13.6, 13.2, 14.4 desulfation), and was expecting to upgrade to two Costco 6V batteries, but is this the correct convertor for 6V batteries? Thanks for any help.

[GreysonY]

Trucks run from 3 to 4 - 12 volt batteries in parallel. (Like having one giant 12 volt battery) They use a series/parallel switch to connect 24 volts to the starter for starting only. (Puts 2 batteries in series to make 24 volts so that the starter can spin over a 2000 lb plus very high compression diesel engine, but only when in the "start" position. ) Everything else in the truck is 12 volts. inverterreview.com

[pianotuna]

Just make sure to charge the batteries fully when you return home.

[SoundGuy]

bbaley wrote:
I am going camping this weekend.

Can I upgrade to AGM batteries now,
and then after this trip look into whether I need to update charger/inverter to something better for charging them ?

Arguably the majority of owners here on the forum are running a WFCO converter in their trailer and probably none can honestly report that their WFCO ever delivers a proper 14.4 volt bulk charge to their battery (or batteries), ever. Instead the most we usually see is ~ 13.7 volts which is nowhere near acceptable for proper recharging of a deep cycle battery. One weekend certainly isn't going to kill your new AGMs but you would want to budget for replacing your converter that will in fact deliver a 14.4 volt bulk charge to the batteries. One exception to this I can think of are Trojan batteries which are spec'd by the manufacturer to require a 14.8 volt bulk charge which most converters are just not capable of. Progressive Dynamics does offer a model which is capable of this bulk charging voltage and would be a good match for a new set of Trojan batteries, flooded or AGM.

[Sam_Spade]

bbaley wrote:

Can I upgrade to AGM batteries now,
and then after this trip look into whether I need to update charger/inverter to something better for charging them ?

YES.

And while checking out your converter/charger is probably a good idea, in 99% of the most common applications, an AGM is a "drop in" replacement for a wet cell battery......with NO modifications.

[midnightsadie]

get the batteries, and a charger that puts out the right power to charge them ,run the charger off the gen set.

[bbaley]

azrving wrote:
You can do that. You would need to check the mnfg specs but often times an agm will want a Max voltage of 14.4. A wet cell like a Trojan will need 14.8 volts.

Often times a oem converter will only put out 13.6 v so upgrading to something like a progressive dynamics may work well. I wouldn't buy an wfco.

You could have very long generator run time with only 13.6 vs 14.4. when the battery is charged it will cut back to about 13.2

just trying not to buy batteries twice, wanting to upgrade, but also wanting to go this weekend...

[azrving]

You can do that. You would need to check the mnfg specs but often times an agm will want a Max voltage of 14.4. A wet cell like a Trojan will need 14.8 volts.

Often times a oem converter will only put out 13.6 v so upgrading to something like a progressive dynamics may work well. I wouldn't buy an wfco.

You could have very long generator run time with only 13.6 vs 14.4. when the battery is charged it will cut back to about 13.2