Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 03-17-2018, 08:32 AM

Hi,

My 2 Excide 6 volt 232mah batteries need replacing.
A Sams club about an hour away has 6 volt 190mah Agm batteries for 180$ each. At that price I am thinking of gettng two extra.

Problem is my battery tray under the entry steps only has room for two, also its a pain to access. There is a storage bay about 18 inches away from the battery, it is rotocast so not sure how much weight it will take.

I have a Trimetric with shunt and a pmw solar charge controller hooked up the batteries. The controller is for two 100w portable panels.

We have a propane fridge and barely use TV when dry camping. I do have a 400w psw inverter I hook to the house 12 volt receptacle if needs.

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

Stephen

Unicorn Driver · 03-17-2018, 10:32 AM

Forgot to ask do I need to add a vent if in a storage bay?

Bob_C · 03-17-2018, 10:48 AM

Don't believe those sealed batteries need a vent...but couldn't hurt......I just googled that type of battery, but didn't see anything about venting......

Unicorn Driver · 03-17-2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Don't believe those sealed batteries need a vent...but couldn't hurt

I could put on on the side of the bay.

cruzbill · 03-17-2018, 11:03 AM

AGM battery costs 2x as much as GC2 6v battery ($83 @ Costco) and AGM has 20% less AH capacity; What again is the reason for the change to AGM???

Bob_C · 03-17-2018, 11:03 AM

My trailer has a lead type battery and uses a plastic vented box, being vented to the outside.......might use one of these type boxes is needed...somebody else will chime in that uses that type.....stay tuned!.....

Unicorn Driver · 03-17-2018, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzbill

AGM battery costs 2x as much as GC2 6v battery ($83 @ Costco) and AGM has 20% less AH capacity; What again is the reason for the change to AGM???

Lack of maintenance is the reason.

Unicorn Driver · 03-17-2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

My trailer has a lead type battery and uses a plastic vented box, being vented to the outside.......might use one of these type boxes is needed...somebody else will chime in that uses that type.....stay tuned!.....

Thanks Bob,

cruzbill · 03-17-2018, 11:37 AM

AGM or not, batteries require charging. As for maintenance,

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-Ba...-p/55-8752.htm

Unicorn Driver · 03-17-2018, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzbill

AGM or not, batteries require charging. As for maintenance,

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-Ba...-p/55-8752.htm

Looked at one before, no good for as cannot be used in winter as water will freeze. Rrmoing the batteries is a big job so cannot take them home. I am looking to drop in replacements and forget about them.

Thanks or your help.

cruzbill · 03-17-2018, 11:52 AM

Stephen, Do you have an inverter/charger or a converter/charger to charge the batteries? An older single stage charger will boil the batteries dry if not closely monitored (How do I know that?). See if your setup includes a 3 stage charger. If not, think about replacing with new; https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/power-converters/

Might be your charger, not lack of maintenance.

cruzbill · 03-17-2018, 11:55 AM

Do you store your MH off-site? Do you keep it plugged in to shore power to keep the batteries charged or do you have solar? There is no 'drop in and forget' battery for a motorhome, they have to be kept charged up. Do you have a way to charge your batteries in storage?

Unicorn Driver · 03-17-2018, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzbill

Stephen, Do you have an inverter/charger or a converter/charger to charge the batteries? An older single stage charger will boil the batteries dry if not closely monitored (How do I know that?). See if your setup includes a 3 stage charger. If not, think about replacing with new; https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/power-converters/

Might be your charger, not lack of maintenance.

Hi Bill,

Its a convertor charger.
Coach is in a storage yard so will check next time.

I have never watered tge battrries in 20 months of ownership, not sure the previous owner did either.

Finance · 03-17-2018, 01:09 PM

I added AGM in the basement of our last coach. Built a frame using perforated angle iron from Home Depot and suspended the frame from the steel frame members above the bin. I wouldn't trust any basement floor to hold batteries.