60 replies to this topic

[brett13]

Its not an AGM battery and the other one is.

And that means...? Is that bad? Unreliable? Unsafe?

[pods8]

And that means...? Is that bad? Unreliable? Unsafe?

AGMs (adsorbant glass matt) are sealed batteries that don't vent flamable gas and can thus be mounted inside the camper without venting, non-agms need to be vented out of the camper or mounted outside the camper. AGMs can often be mounted on their sides if desired, non-agms can't. Non-agm batteries require maintenance (keeping the fluid levels topped off so you don't dry out the battery and kill it. Etc.

Both work, one is just more convenient and has fewer mounting location considerations.

[brett13]

AGMs (adsorbant glass matt) are sealed batteries that don't vent flamable gas and can thus be mounted inside the camper without venting, non-agms need to be vented out of the camper or mounted outside the camper. AGMs can often be mounted on their sides if desired, non-agms can't. Non-agm batteries require maintenance (keeping the fluid levels topped off so you don't dry out the battery and kill it. Etc.

Both work, one is just more convenient and has fewer mounting location considerations.

Aha. Must scratch that one off the list. Any others? Thx.

[pods8]

Aha. Must scratch that one off the list. Any others? Thx.

Any others what? Battery recommendations? If so my suggestion is see if a local battery retailer is having any closeouts like I suggested before.

By the way here is a good reference read on batteries if you want to know more: http://www.windsun.c...Battery_FAQ.htm

[Barko1]

The Sam's 6v batteries are 170 ah for $72.

[brett13]

Any others what? Battery recommendations? If so my suggestion is see if a local battery retailer is having any closeouts like I suggested before.

I meant any others on that list that aren't AGM, so I/we can avoid wasting out time.

By the way here is a good reference read on batteries if you want to know more: http://www.windsun.c...Battery_FAQ.htm

Thanks

[brett13]

The Sam's 6v batteries are 170 ah for $72.

So, you'd just wire two of these in series and end up with 12v and 170AH? Pretty slick idea.

[pods8]

I meant any others on that list that aren't AGM, so I/we can avoid wasting out time.

Chances are any batteries (that aren't on sale) that are in the $50-100 range are normal flooded cell batteries. $180+ and you'll start seeing the AGMs.

So, you'd just wire two of these in series and end up with 12v and 170AH? Pretty slick idea.

Yes when in series voltage is additive and capacity stays the same, when in parallel capacity is additive and voltage stays the same.

Those are going to be flooded cell batteries FYI.

[Tris]

You might want to check the charging characteristics of your inverter/charger before relying on it with a new battery. In my limited experience, they are not very well suited to charging and shorten battery life. Not much point in buying a great battery and then trashing it with a cheap charger. I've been able to get charging specs for my battery from the manufacturer's customer service folks. Then use a digital volt meter to see what your converting is doing. If they match, then your're lucky. It pays to check the output from your alternator charging circuit too. Sometimes the wires are too small and/or too long and you get an unacceptable voltage drop. In other words, you may need to buy a real charger too. Good luck.

Tris

[pods8]

You might want to check the charging characteristics of your inverter/charger before relying on it with a new battery. In my limited experience, they are not very well suited to charging and shorten battery life. Not much point in buying a great battery and then trashing it with a cheap charger. I've been able to get charging specs for my battery from the manufacturer's customer service folks. Then use a digital volt meter to see what your converting is doing. If they match, then your're lucky. It pays to check the output from your alternator charging circuit too. Sometimes the wires are too small and/or too long and you get an unacceptable voltage drop. In other words, you may need to buy a real charger too. Good luck.

Tris

I've advocated the same and fully agree.