AGM batteries

[4thetwins]

Good morning everyone. Sorry if there is another thread somewhere explaining this. But i just ordered 8 Lifeline GPL-4CT 220ah 6 volt batteries for my 2015 Dutch Star to replace the dreadful wet cells that came with my coach. I’m looking forward to less maintenance. My question is does anyone know of or have a link to the other Magnum inverter settings other than AGM-1 specifically for a Newmar coach? Thanks in advance for any help. COMMENT: in spite of annual maintenance, my Newmar wet cell batteries off gassed and corroded a couple of my battery cables. I am replacing / repairing them with 3/0 welding cables and heavy duty copper terminals. Doing the same 3/0 to replace the bus bars on my interstate wet cells. I was surprised to see so much corrosion from those wet cells. Acid actually ate away most of one of the terminal ends. Glad i caught this before it had a chance to cause problems on the road. I repainted the entire battery tray and compartment. If you have wet cells now, be sure to remain vigilant on regular cable and corrosion inspection.

[redbaron73]

Take a look at this document I wrote specifically for the magnum on a Dutch star.

http://www.newmarhoots.com/simple-gu...fe-in-your-rv/

[NWIP]

Originally Posted by redbaron73

Take a look at this document I wrote specifically for the magnum on a Dutch star.

Simple Guide to Battery Life in your RV – Newmar Hoots

BTW, excellent reference guide. Thanks for your input.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by NWIP

BTW, excellent reference guide. Thanks for your input.

Thanks!

[10 fan]

Great write up, thanks. Waiting for part 2 "Solar and Lithium Batteries" Take your time I won't need it for another 4 weeks.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by 10 fan

Great write up, thanks. Waiting for part 2 "Solar and Lithium Batteries" Take your time I won't need it for another 4 weeks.

How about you be my ghost writer, since I don't have solar or Lithium?

Of course, if someone wants to donate, I will be willing to write part 2

[757driver]

Originally Posted by 4thetwins

Good morning everyone. Sorry if there is another thread somewhere explaining this. But i just ordered 8 Lifeline GPL-4CT 220ah 6 volt batteries for my 2015 Dutch Star to replace the dreadful wet cells that came with my coach. I’m looking forward to less maintenance. My question is does anyone know of or have a link to the other Magnum inverter settings other than AGM-1 specifically for a Newmar coach? Thanks in advance for any help. COMMENT: in spite of annual maintenance, my Newmar wet cell batteries off gassed and corroded a couple of my battery cables. I am replacing / repairing them with 3/0 welding cables and heavy duty copper terminals. Doing the same 3/0 to replace the bus bars on my interstate wet cells. I was surprised to see so much corrosion from those wet cells. Acid actually ate away most of one of the terminal ends. Glad i caught this before it had a chance to cause problems on the road. I repainted the entire battery tray and compartment. If you have wet cells now, be sure to remain vigilant on regular cable and corrosion inspection.

For your new Lifeline batteries you will need Custom settings for the charge profile not AGM1. I sent you a PM.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by 757driver

For your new Lifeline batteries you will need Custom settings for the charge profile not AGM1. I sent you a PM.

Can you post those settings ? I may need those as well when I replace my batteries.... thanks

[757driver]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Can you post those settings ? I may need those as well when I replace my batteries.... thanks

Each installation is different (number of inverters, size of charger, number and size of batteries etc) so all settings may not apply or be correct. When you upgrade your batteries send me a PM and I can send you the settings.

[757driver]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Can you post those settings ? I may need those as well when I replace my batteries.... thanks

For Lifeline GPL-4CT batteries the charge profile settings are Custom. Absorb=14.3v, Float=13.3v and Equalize=15.5v. NOTE: This is only one of 10 settings for the Magnum remote panel.

[Dmiles]

I can't help you with the settings for your particular coach, but I can tell you that you are going to love those AGM batteries, especially if the off gassing of the lead acid batteries has been such a huge problem.

I've had mine for over 4 years now, and they are still going strong. I have them on a high quality charger 24/7, except when I disconnect the charger to let them get a little workout now and then.

One of the best investments I have ever made, would not hesitate to do it again.

[4thetwins]

Thanks everyone for the great replies. Clearly, power generation via batteries can quickly become a complex matter I greatly appreciate the thorough article published. It’s interesting about removal and reinstall sequence of the positive power cable(s). That is precisely the opposite of a recent video I saw by RV geeks who switched to Lifeline AGM. His note is the Negative main should be the first off and the last on. The published article says positive main needs to be first off and last on for reasons which make sense to me. It can be confusing to someone without engineering level knowledge of batteries. Moreover, I’m willing to bet that most Newmar dealer technicians wouldn’t know this nor would they follow cable sequence removal. Newmar in particular is not helpful in disclaiming anything as critical as possibilities of damaging an inverter. In fact, virtually all of my factory installed battery cables were installed cable to terminal poorly with copious amounts of exposed cable between the terminal end and the cable shielding. I followed the positive off first and will make sure main positive on last. But one wonders why not just remove the cable with the Magnum module first? Finally, I still see varied recommendations on the Magnum settings with the Lifeline GPL-4CTs. It would be nice if Newmar Corp would take responsibility in a matter as critical as House battery power and schematics for Lifeline. The Chinese batteries that Newmar promotes are clearly not the choice for coach owners who wish to invest in reliable batteries.

[TLGPE]

There is no engineering involved; when the negative terminal is attached, the batteries are "hot" to chassis ground. That means that whenever you are messing around with the battery wires there is a danger that touching a metal wrench to a battery and accidentally touching the chassis could cause a short.

These batteries are capable of immense current, thousands of amps, in fact. Worst case could cause the battery to explode, scattering acid all over you and the battery compartment. That is a disaster you do not want to contemplate.

Disconnect the ground (negative) wire first. That way the battery is NOT hot to ground.

You still need to be careful to avoid letting battery terminals short together, but it's safer than having the chassis grounded.

Hook up the negative terminal last.

HTH

Tom

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by TLGPE

There is no engineering involved; when the negative terminal is attached, the batteries are "hot" to chassis ground. That means that whenever you are messing around with the battery wires there is a danger that touching a metal wrench to a battery and accidentally touching the chassis could cause a short.

These batteries are capable of immense current, thousands of amps, in fact. Worst case could cause the battery to explode, scattering acid all over you and the battery compartment. That is a disaster you do not want to contemplate.

Disconnect the ground (negative) wire first. That way the battery is NOT hot to ground.

You still need to be careful to avoid letting battery terminals short together, but it's safer than having the chassis grounded.

Hook up the negative terminal last.

HTH

Tom

Tlgpe:

Please read the documentation or manual from magnum. The advice you are giving will destroy the ags,bmk, and remotes for magnum. This is clearly documented.

You must always disconnect positive first and connect positive last.