Batteries: wet cell 8D or AGM's

[Mr_D]

Can buy Lifeline 8D AGM's for about $500 each and Interstate 8 D wet cells for $190 each. My last set of Interstate U-2200 batteries lasted 10 years in the Dutch Star and actually were still usable when I replaced them.
Lifeline's have a 5 yr warranty the Interstate wet cells are 6 months

Are the AGM's going to really be that much better to pay over double the cost of wet cells?

[NHRA225]

I think you answered your own question! Me? I'd stick with Wet Cells .


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[dons2346]

Deen, the AGMs will charge up way faster than a wet cell, have less self discharge, and will not mess up the battery compartment which you know.

After installing the Lifelines back on '04, I would not go back to wets

[Mr_D]

In the '02 Dutch Star we had 4 U-2200's, in 2004 I put 4oz of mineral oil in each cell. Very seldom had to add distilled water after that and the battery drawer was cleaner after 8 years than the '00 Dutch Star (without mineral oil) was after 2 years. The U-2200's lasted just one month short of 10 years and the only reason I changed them when I did was we were headed out on a trip and I didn't want trouble on the road.

Not too worried about the recharge time either as we might stay overnight in a Wal*Mart, then drive 600 miles, stay in another dry camping spot, then drive 600 more miles and go to a RV campground. We're not avid dry campers although we have done a week at Quartzsite.
I keep the rig beside the house so it's plugged in all the time so not worried about the discharge rate either.

[Smitty77]

The main advantage of AGM is known by you, and Don hit some of the key points.

We went with AGM's because when we retired we were planning to shift more to higher percentage of boon docking and non power available campgrounds. Added robust Solar Panels and controller to avoid running the generator as much as possible. It has worked out well for us.

For your planned usage, I'd go with he wet cell, and save the money!

Best,
Smitty

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by NHRA225

I think you answered your own question! Me? I'd stick with Wet Cells .

500 for AGMs or less than 200 for Wet Cells.

Wet Cells lasted 10 years... And though many brag about the life of AGM's well 10 years is about the max there too.

For 500 you can buy two and a half sets of Wet cells.

You had U-2200's, why go to 8Ds (They are twice as heavy and thus 4 times as hard to wrestle into place. Electrically there is not enough difference to comment on).

It is clear you know how to maintain the wet cells (10 years) so I'd say get the wet cells and if you have to toss your money away.. Well Toss it my way. I can put it to good use (Joking,,, Well half joking.. I could put it to good use).

[NHRA225]

10 years is good service life from any battery !
Keep Em warm in the winter.


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[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

500 for AGMs or less than 200 for Wet Cells.

Wet Cells lasted 10 years... And though many brag about the life of AGM's well 10 years is about the max there too.

For 500 you can buy two and a half sets of Wet cells.

You had U-2200's, why go to 8Ds (They are twice as heavy and thus 4 times as hard to wrestle into place. Electrically there is not enough difference to comment on).

It is clear you know how to maintain the wet cells (10 years) so I'd say get the wet cells and if you have to toss your money away.. Well Toss it my way. I can put it to good use (Joking,,, Well half joking.. I could put it to good use).

The 2002 DSDP had the U-2200's, the present '09 Magna has the Dekka AGM's so two different rigs.
As to money, well, I'm sure the DW's cancer is going to cost us! So I'm going to have to save where/what we can. Will probably need to live in Seattle for a while when her # comes to the top for a transplant so I need to get the MH ready to go.

[Mr_D]

I did pick up the wet cell Interstate's today. Wasn't planning on it so soon but we are heading out for Labor Day and it just worked better this way.

[NHRA225]

So sorry to hear of your Wife's Cancer- good luck and hope for a quick recovery !


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[stan5711]

Mr D how many of the 8D's do you have in your rig,I have the 8D in mine and changed it out this summer,mine just has one and I wanted to go with two but I didn't know if the charger would handle two of those big batteries.

[mike brez]

I stuck with the 8Ds in mine. We rarely boondock. We have four of them.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by stan5711

Mr D how many of the 8D's do you have in your rig,I have the 8D in mine and changed it out this summer,mine just has one and I wanted to go with two but I didn't know if the charger would handle two of those big batteries.

We have 4 of the 8D's and room for 2 more. The all electric or units with the optional front heat pump off the inverter came with 6 8D's.
Ours came with 4 925 CCA sealed chassis batteries even though the spec's call for 2 8D AGM's. I replaced the starting batteries a couple months ago.
Been waiting for the batteries to go on sale so it took a while. In both cases they were on sale the week that I called.
Now waiting for Michelin tires to go on sale! Yes, I plan on using the FMCA program. 4 365/70's and 4 315/80's aren't going to be cheap no matter what!

[LVJ58]

Been using wet cells now for 20 years, they work just fine for us & never had any corrosion problem...

Good luck with your choice & safe travels.....