AGM Batteries

[gator67]

My coach batteries are four years old and I'd like to replace them with AGM batteries. I know many of you are advocates of them. Any particular brand you recommend? Amp hours? Anything I should NOT get, or be aware of?

[BryanL]

Brand isn't the issue as there are very few OEM's that provide the batteries that are branded for different retailers. The technology is mature and there really isn't much difference between manufacturers. They all make a variety of models that trade off cost, capacity and ruggedness for different needs and that is where you'll find variation.

The key is to find someone who sells a lot of batteries folks like you and who will stand behind what they sell.

If you are having trouble with your batteries not lasting long enough, the place to look is your use and management. Expect 4 to 7 years or so for a typical well care for RV battery.

AGMs are nice and will last a bit longer than standard wet cells (see Az Wind Sun FAQ) but the price needs other reasons for buying them, IMHO.

[Dale777]

Jerry & Shirley,

It seems that this topic is already well under discussion in this post:

House Batteries, what kind?

[wa8yxm]

For any given size battery there are basically two capacites

Most everyone, Lilfeline, MK, DEKA and more a G-27 is about 100 amp hours. Larger batteries have more amp hours. Smaller ones less.

OPTIMA, which is a special case. it's about 75 AMP hours for a G-27 (NOTE: these figures are approximate and intended to show the shortcoming (AMP HOURS) of Optima for RV use)

Optima does have it's place and in it it's the very best there is. Motor Homes and Trailers ... NOT that place (It is a different type of RV)

I usually tell people this

First: As AGM's go Lifeline is the best. I do not know if they are worth the difference in price though (You will have to decide for yourself)

If maintence and ventelation is NOT a major issue (Some coach makers put batteries in the most god awful places) then I'd go with flooded wet cells.

Best bang for your buck, no question about it.

But as I implied. sometimes maintenance and ventelation ARE issues.