AGM vs Lead Acid batteries with my current converter

[CyrusL]

I would like to upgrade the batteries in the RV, but I don't know what converter charger came with it. Therefore, if I get AGM batteries, are we going to be destroying them by not charging them properly? We'll also be putting in solar soon with a good-quality MPPT charge controller, but the RV will be plugged in much of the time.

I guess the questions are:

1. If I replace the batteries with AGM batteries, am I going to be ruining them by not charging them properly?
2. Is there some hidden way for me to change the converter charger settings for AGM batteries?
3. If I later install a solar charger that CAN be configured for AGM batteries, will that solve the incorrect charging issues?

[ALLOY]

I guess the questions are:

1. If I replace the batteries with AGM batteries, am I going to be ruining them by not charging them properly?

YES

1. Is there some hidden way for me to change the converter charger settings for AGM batteries?

NO

1. If I later install a solar charger that CAN be configured for AGM batteries, will that solve the incorrect charging issues?

YES - depending on the quality of the controller


A battery system is like a chain all the links have to work together.

[mrgrayaz]

What converter?

My Progressive Dynamics 65amp w/Charge wizard is considered the "best in the industry" (not by me....) and it boosts at 14.4V and floats at 13.2. Equalize at 14.6V. 4 stage charging.

Problem is, my Costco (Interstate) GC2's like boost to be at 15.3v and Equalize at 15.6v.

My Converter was constantly undercharging and I could tell, the voltage loss under load on the batteries was terrible. I installed Solar and configured it for the batteries preferences and life is good. Still run the converter on shore power, and the battery bank just gets charged the next day by the solar array.

So watch your voltages, but AGM aren't as needy as my Interstates...they are typically more in line with what the Progressive Dynamics will do.

[wa8yxm]

The question in the subject line is AGM (Lead acid) V/s Lead Acid.

Yup. apples v/s apples.

AGM's are lead acid. Though they do like a very slightly different charge algorithm it is close enough that a converter designed to charge one.. will do fine with the other.

So what is the lure of AGM.. they may possibly have a slightly lower internal resistance. or not. Never tested that. LIFELINE can be charged faster.. IF you have a charger that can do it. There is no "This side up" sticker and they are very "low gasing".

But the big draw is PROFIT. they are very high priced and thus very high PROFIT.

[Winemaker2]

I guess the questions are:

My thought a little different than Alloy...

1. If I replace the batteries with AGM batteries, am I going to be ruining them by not charging them properly?
   
   No - you may shorten life but you likely won't kill them.
   
   
2. Is there some hidden way for me to change the converter charger settings for AGM batteries?
   
   Maybe - you need to explore and find out what converter charger you have and whether it has multi setting - many these days do - if in doubt contact dealer / manufacturer to confirm then check the charger mfg website for that model.
   
   
   
3. If I later install a solar charger that CAN be configured for AGM batteries, will that solve the incorrect charging issues?

It might but I think the best answer is it depends on many details of the whole system. I wouldn't rely on solar correcting a problem w/ the converter charger.

I don't have much experience w/ solar so not my strong point.
Different AGMs require slightly different charging profiles but they are pretty close to a FLA. Using a FLA charger won't immediately kill an AGM but can shorten the life & decrease performance if not optimized but you may never see / tell the difference.

[Steve Kiemele]

Originally Posted by Winemaker2

I guess the questions are:



My thought a little different than Alloy...

1. If I replace the batteries with AGM batteries, am I going to be ruining them by not charging them properly?
   
   
   
   No - you may shorten life but you likely won't kill them.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Is there some hidden way for me to change the converter charger settings for AGM batteries?
   
   
   
   Maybe - you need to explore and find out what converter charger you have and whether it has multi setting - many these days do - if in doubt contact dealer / manufacturer to confirm then check the charger mfg website for that model.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. If I later install a solar charger that CAN be configured for AGM batteries, will that solve the incorrect charging issues?
   

It might but I think the best answer is it depends on many details of the whole system. I wouldn't rely on solar correcting a problem w/ the converter charger.



I don't have much experience w/ solar so not my strong point.

Different AGMs require slightly different charging profiles but they are pretty close to a FLA. Using a FLA charger won't immediately kill an AGM but can shorten the life & decrease performance if not optimized but you may never see / tell the difference.

I had a Progressive Dynamics converter to which I added the Charge Wizard. I used it about 3 years with Deka AGMs without a problem. If you have a PD series 9100 converter, you can add the Charge Wizard. If not, consider replacing with a 9200 series that has the Wizard tech built in. An 80 Amp model will run you about $275 and the AGMs can take advantage of the high amperage for fast charging.

[Gdawgs]

Originally Posted by ALLOY

I guess the questions are:

1. If I replace the batteries with AGM batteries, am I going to be ruining them by not charging them properly?

YES

1. Is there some hidden way for me to change the converter charger settings for AGM batteries?

NO

1. If I later install a solar charger that CAN be configured for AGM batteries, will that solve the incorrect charging issues?

YES - depending on the quality of the controller


A battery system is like a chain all the links have to work together.

I have AGM batteries. 8-house and 2-coach. My Magnum inverter charger has settings for charging different types of AGM batteries.