Time for new batteries for my AF811

[deltabravo]

The last 2 years or so, the original batteries in my 2010 AF811 have pretty much been useless. I haven't used the camper much during the summer of 2013 and 2014, and most of the time I had shore power during those 2 summer. Part of the time I had decent sun coverage so the solar provide my DC power needs when I didn't have shore power - at the NW Overland Rally last summer. I pretty much had to run the generator after dark until it was bedtime - that's how bad the batteries were last summer at the Rally.

I'm at the point where I can't tolerate the poor performance of the batteries any longer, particularly with the need to take a few trips and use the camper the remainder of the winter. I've already decided on AGM batteries. Why? Because checking / adding water to batteries is a total nuisance. I have to completely disconnect all the DC connections and remove the batteries from the battery compartment, and doing so when the camper is on the truck isn't fun - a ladder is required.

I already have a decent 3 stage charging system - a Xantrex (aka Statpower) PS2.0 inverter / charger and the smart remote for it. I can tailor the charging regimen for AGM batteries.

I know that I've murdered the batteries due to lack of maintenance.

I need to start taking some measurements to see if the batteries from DEKA I have been eyeballing will fit the slideout battery tray.

I've procrastinated this long because I just don't (hadn't been) using the camper enough to justify the expense of new batteries.

[Buzzcut1]

Maybe its just dumb luck, but my two group 31 AGMs which are crammed into my battery compartment at weird angles to fit are starting their 6th year in my Lance and I have not had any performance issues and I never have to mess with them either.

[mbloof]

Personally, I don't expect an RV battery to last a "lifetime". When out dry camping they rarely get properly cycled (most cases over discharged), the 30-45A charge current of most converters will cause venting (need to check water levels often) and rarely (if ever) is there any on-battery temperature compensation for the charge voltage/current.

The result? Expect 3-5yrs (tops if you use your camper regularly). I'd rather toss in some cheapo Costco GP27's at ~70$ then some name brands that won't last any longer and just cost more.

In my state we have to Register+pay for Truck Camper tags - just another needless expense in owning a TC.

[bka0721]

It is always great getting information on some of the best batteries, types and sizes. But it really comes down to why would one invest in expensive batteries that will be challenged in being kept charged (S.O.C) and cycled and maintained. If you have lots of money, sure. Then I would get the DEKA or Lifeline.

Age of batteries are subjective. A battery that is lightly used can and does last years, no matter what type or manufacturer it is. It all depends on maintenance and number of cycles. Basically the more you start your car/truck the more cycles your battery will have and last the least amount of time. I am still on my OEM battery in my truck and it is a 2008. But I don't start my truck often. Same for your camper battery. If you are not cycling your batteries down to 12.2-12.4 and then charge them back up to 90%+ then you are not cycling your batteries sufficiently. For me, I have them, why not use them! I monitor them every day, because I cycle my batteries everyday (12.2 to 14.9v adjusted for batt temp). I am seeing replacement, of these batteries, at 4-5 years. When I abused my cheaper batteries and discharged them completely (11.9-11.1v), they lasted less than a year. It was during this period (before solar) I just bought the cheapest and easiest replaceable batteries, Group 27 from Wal-Mart and just replaced them. If I had the Lifeline, at $400+, they would have been abused just as the cheaper ones were. It was just the period I was in, at that time, trying to make things work.

So my question to you, are you guaranteeing that your days of lack of monitoring and maintenance are behind you? Are you going to have the batteries plugged into a trickle charger and for FWC batteries check the fluid every month, during periods that your camper is not being used? If so, go spend $400+ a battery, for the Lifeline/Deka. If not, just purchase the largest Group Battery that will fit in the area where your battery fits, at your nearest battery seller for lower cost. You can get a lot of battery for the cost and replace them often, compared to the cost of the more expensive one. They are just being replaced as often as the expensive ones when the environment will be a history of marginal maintenance and attention. So why spend the money when a cheaper one will perform just as well? (I currently have 1,460 AmpH of battery banks, in 12 batteries (ten 6v FWC, two 6v AGM))

Be sure to post what your decision is and how they work for you, in upcoming posts.

b

[bigfootford]

BTW, Bestconverter has great prices, no tax, no shipping!

http://www.bestconverter.com/Universal-AGM-Batteries_c_127.html

Jim

[bigfootford]

Various AGM battery mfg's have different spec's for charging...

I searched hard to see if I could find the charge spec's for the Intimidator/Deca AGM's and could not find it....

Example of the Universal Power Group battery... They say max current for a group 27 is .3C
or <>30 amps max... 14.4 vdc.

http://upgi.com/Themes/leanandgreen/images/UPG/ProductDownloads/45826.pdf

Lifeline is totally different, you can check it out if you are thinking about Lifelines. They are more expensive.

I have had lifeline for 5+ years. Still has factory spec capacity, which I watch almost every camper trip.... Per my Trimetric I have a total AH on them of 4500+.
How I check it is each morning I see what the AH tot al for the evening or days and compare with the resting voltage of the battery.

Just wanted you to be aware.

Jim

[joeshmoe]

delta, don't know which model dekas you're going for, but this might be helpful:

Deka Batteries At Autobarn


Autobarn. Free shipping, no core charge and when I entered a spokane zip code, sales tax was excluded. I all but placed the order to be sent to WA., so I doubt it'll spring any additional charges at the last click. A friend recently told me about autobarn and their free shipping with a $69 purchase/no sales tax when shipped out of CA.

[HMS_Beagle]

Just remember that to make AGMs last, they need to be brought to a full state of charge periodically (maybe once a week?). Flooded cells will tolerate running between 50% and 90% for long periods, but not AGM.

Lifelines in last camper had to be replaced at 11 years.
Lifelines in MH lasted at least 9 years (sold it and they were still strong).
Lifelines in boat now in year 9, still strong.

[brholt]

Gripnriprod wrote:

brholt wrote:
With my AF1150 I found a battery water kit made a world of difference and made the maintenance of the batteries extremely easy. Just another option if you want to reconsider flooded cells at all.

Where did you find the kit?

This is the Manufacturer I used:

Flow-Rite

You can find the system at Tweety's and other stores (note you have to buy the bulb too):

Tweety's Flow-Rite

[deltabravo]

East Penn (Deka) Intimidator AGM battery flyer

[jmckelvy]

I have two Lifeline Grp27s. They are over 7 years old and still going strong. But I have always treated them gently and never have completely discharged them.

[Gripnriprod]

brholt wrote:
With my AF1150 I found a battery water kit made a world of difference and made the maintenance of the batteries extremely easy. Just another option if you want to reconsider flooded cells at all.

Where did you find the kit?

[brholt]

With my AF1150 I found a battery water kit made a world of difference and made the maintenance of the batteries extremely easy. Just another option if you want to reconsider flooded cells at all.

[deltabravo]

ISBRAM wrote:
I installed a pair of Deka AGM golf batteries in my Hallmark last year and have been very happy with them. I was able to get them thru the local Deka distributer for just under $200 each at their counter. I switched over to a PD 9260 inverter at the same time, no more removing batteries to water them.

I am planning on getting them the same way - through the local Deka warehouse. They will sell "over the counter" but the average Joe would never know it because they are more or less "the local distribution center."

Super_Dave wrote:
It is like playing a game of chicken to see who blinks first. I'm on my original set of batteries on my Dodge (8 years old) and I know that I'm past due but it keeps starting. LOL! Maybe this is an indication that I'm cheap. LOL!

I remember another partial reason for the procrastination - both of my trucks have needed new batteries within the last 6 months. OUCH x4.

The 06 is my daily driver and RV transport rig, and on one trip last summer, one battery developed a shorted cell and cooked itself.

The 09 has been on borrowed time for at least 2 years, due to something draining the batteries, partially due to lack of use on that truck. The OEM batteries finally died early fall - I put a pair of Dekas in it. I know what killed the batteries, and I sold that item to eliminate the problem.

[deltabravo]

kerry4951 wrote:
I use 2 Deka AGMs in my AF. Going on 5 years and still good.

That's very encouraging news!! Thanks for posting. 🙂

Sidebar:
My very first RV was a cargo trailer that I put carpet in and had some lights and storage cabinets in it too. I had a Group 27 Prevailer brand gel battery in it. It last at least 10 years.

Somewhere in my stack of papers is the Deka flyer. I need to find it.

[kerry4951]

I use 2 Deka AGMs in my AF. They are Group 31. Your battery compartment is probably the same as mine. Going on 5 years and still good.