Vanderee
Bundaberg, Queensland
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Before buying new RV batteries.Please advice.
There are several types, Calcium, Gel, and the wet battery.
Some say coupled 6 volt HD wet batteries are the best, long term.
I am also told that the new battery chargers now contain an auto decalsification (decalsify) program so batteries can last twice as long.
Some expert advice...please.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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I like the AGM cells. No water to add ever. Expensive, but worth it to me and they are going on four years with no maintenance from me at all. I expect many more years of good service. You must have an inverter/charger that can be set for AGM batteries as they use a different set-up than wet cell batteries. Mine were made by East Penn Batteries in the USA.
here is a link to explain the differences: Battery comparison
* This post was
edited 07/24/12 08:00am by rgatijnet1 *
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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AGM
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
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mockturtle
WA
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Ivylog wrote:AGM X2
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
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bluwtr49
Green Valley, AZ
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I will be replacing my 10 yo interstate lead acid batteries this year with the same. While AGM has some advantages you can not beat lead acid for value.
Dick
2000 40" DP Beaver Patriot Thunder Cat C-12 425 HP, 1550 Tq
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harold1946
Surprise Arizona
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bluwtr49 wrote:I will be replacing my 10 yo interstate lead acid batteries this year with the same. While AGM has some advantages you can not beat lead acid for value.
Please explain how you feel led acid batteries are a better value.
Must have done some extensive testing.
Harold and Linda
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topflite51
In The Desert of Nevada
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Probably feels that since he got 10 years out of his lead acid batteries that is significant testing for him. Since AGM's are significantly more expensive (at least the one's I have priced), one can perform a significant amount of maintenance for the price differential. AGM's are definitely more convenient, but hardly a better value than lead acid batteries.
 David
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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AGM if you want to spend extra money for less power with some other big advantages and flooded cell deep cycle for the most power for the money. there is NO absolute answer without knowing how you use your batteries and how they are mounted.
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MrWizard
Traveling
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batteries are Not Calcium, its just a small percentage of the slloy of the positive plate
all batteries rv batteries except the new $5000 litihum batteries are lead acid
gel is an acid gel with lead plates
agm uses lead plates with the acid suspended in a glass matte acting like a sponge
there is Wet cell, Gel cell, and AGM cell, but all are lead acid
antimony and calcium are added to the plates to prevent shedding or reduce out gassing
for pure resistance to abuse, thick plate 6v deep cycle batteries or thicker plate 2v cells are best
and you can add water to them
for long term use for the week end camper who wants to just forget or ignore battery issues
a bank of several AGM batteries , use them recharge em ,forget about them
if not over charged, so the don't out gas, thay will last for years
all batteries should be promptly recharged to full, before the camper is parked in unpowered
storage
Options, always have options, and the journey goes much smoother
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bluwtr49
Green Valley, AZ
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topflite51 wrote:Probably feels that since he got 10 years out of his lead acid batteries that is significant testing for him. Since AGM's are significantly more expensive (at least the one's I have priced), one can perform a significant amount of maintenance for the price differential. AGM's are definitely more convenient, but hardly a better value than lead acid batteries.
Yes, although it's been awhile, I have done extensive research on this subject. A well maintained lead acid battery bank used in deep cycle service will easily get better than 5 years of life (defined by measuring both specific gravity and degradation to 50% capacity.) On my 50' blue water cruising sail boat battery performance was crucial and with 16 Trojan T-105 cost vs. battery life replacement was a major cost.
In a nutshell, gaining (maybe) 50% longevity at better than 2X the cost just didn't pencil.
In RV service the benefits of AGM would be applicable to those that dry camp almost exclusively and the perceived benefits outweigh the additional cost. I got 10 years on the interstates because most of their life was on float not being cycled. While they will still allow a week of dry camping the generator run time is a bit higher and power conservation needs to be more stringent.
In a nutshell, lead acid will cost less per year under almost any circumstances but AGM will give slightly better performance.
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