Community Forums

Dale777 · 01-29-2010, 07:16 PM

EMike,

Below are the specs for the Lifeline AGM batteries that I think you refer to. The GPL-4CT part number is what fits in my 2006 Alpine Coach Limited 36FDTS battery compartment. Eight (8) of them fit in that compartment, including two (2) 12 volt chassis starting batteries.

The GPL-6CT is the part number that fits into the same horizontal space, but is taller and provides 300 amp-hrs capacity versus 220 amp-hrs for the GPL-4CT.

Its worth noting that the GPL-6CT batteries weigh about 36% more than the GPL-4CT batteries.

Bill Adams · 01-29-2010, 07:30 PM

AGM, AGM, AGM. OK, the religion is showing up here, but we have a battery area which makes the batteries very inaccessible and requires mirrors to view water levels as mentioned above. I simply did not take care of the required monthly maintenance of a wet cell and they never lasted more than a year. I don't think I would do much better with the water filling devices that will allow you to top off without looking as you must actually think/remember to do this monthly task. I am just not good at this kind of stuff.
We installed AGM's in Jan. 2003 and we have gotten longer charge duration (more amp hours?, I don't know. The batteries don't go dead as fast.) than we ever got from wet cell batteries and I have not given my batteries a second thought in 7 years other than to dust them off occasionally in case I need to show them off.

jacmat · 01-29-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burgiebill

I have room for 3. What would y'all think, 3 12volts, 2 6volts or 2 6volts and 1 12 volt?

<<

Since you only have room for 3 batteries, I would only install 2 X 6 volts. Those two will give you more amps than 3 12 volts.

Don't mix 6 v and 12 volts.

azloafer · 01-29-2010, 08:15 PM

I just replaced my house batteries with AGM's. When my chassis batteries go can they also be replaced with AGM's or is it not worth the extra cost? Considering the fact that the chassis batteries are sealed...maybe there is no advantage...or is there?

Dale777 · 01-29-2010, 10:29 PM

azloafer,

Not much advantage in using AGM batteries for chassis batteries, since chassis batteries are normally sealed wet cell lead acid. Also, normally they don't go through the repeated deep discharge and charge cycles. Hence, they don't have the issues with watering, outgassing and corrosion.

azloafer · 01-29-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale777

azloafer,

Not much advantage in using AGM batteries for chassis batteries, since chassis batteries are normally sealed wet cell lead acid. Also, normally they don't go through the repeated deep discharge and charge cycles. Hence, they don't have the issues with watering, outgassing and corrosion.

Thanks, I wanted to make sure.

takepride · 02-01-2010, 09:18 PM

I replaced my wet cell starting batteries with two 12v Optimas from Sears. I already had Lifetime 6v's for the house. The advantages of the AGMs still hold. However, starting batteries are not RV/Marine batteries and are not designed for deep discharge,which they do not need.

They are more shock and vibration proof and have a considerably longer lifespan.

The seal wet-cells in my last coach went out of service as often as the regular wet-cells of the house batteries.

I prefer to ignore my batteries and at double the price of wet-cells, my starting AGMs have already paid themselves off with nearly three times the life. THAT, is not a waste of money. (Theory notwithstanding.)

openpro · 03-02-2010, 04:39 PM

I do a lot of winter boondocking and wondering if putting the AGM battery bank under the bed where it is warm would be a good idea? I loose a lot of battery life when the temperature drops with the current external setup?

EngineerMike · 03-02-2010, 08:14 PM

Its always better to put the batteries where the temperature doesn't drop very much. Cabo San Lucas comes to mind.

Waterdog4315 · 03-22-2010, 12:23 PM

A thread cautions that when converting to AGM--make sure to adjust the charge rate is adjusted to the higher rate they require. Question---where/how is this rate determined and what is adjusted by what means?

Mule Skinner · 03-22-2010, 02:22 PM

I don't know the correct names and terms but if you can find your manual to the panel that shows your water level, holding tank levels, battery levels. There are instructions on how to set for the type of batteries you want to use.

Dan

dgerstel · 03-22-2010, 04:26 PM

Waterdog,

You didn't state or have what year of coach you have in your signature line. If you have a Xantrex RS2000, the settings are made thru the Xantrex control panel, see here for instructions, page 3-3.

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/920/docserve.aspx

Also see here for charger info, page 3-8, 16 & 18.

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/919/docserve.aspx

EngineerMike · 03-23-2010, 12:38 AM

I just installed four 300AH AGMs in place of six 220AH wet cell deep cycles (all 6V). That makes 600AH @ 12V now vs. 660AH w/the six previously.
The factory default setting in the Xantrex RS2000 is IIRC 440AH wet and might be what mine was set for from the factory. I couldn't get the batteries to charge properly setting the charger's Batt Size parameter to 660AH, but if I added a bit to account for the charge solenoid linking the chassis batt's in, and got above 700AH they charged fine, say 80 amps or so max charge rate (before up to 680 or 690AH it would only go about 25amps charging).

The AGM setting and Batt Size at 600AH for the string of four AGMs now goes to 120amps charge rate when I've been running on batteries only for two days and down to 12.3V. The AGM setting makes a huge difference in the charger output.