Replacing AGM house batts.

[dbdreamers]

Looks like we are about to replace our house batteries. They are not charging fully and are about 10 years old. Anyone have any expertise to share? The four batts part no. is 8A27. They are AGM type but I'm willing to consider a gel.
Keep it as simple as you can. I am a newbie at this.

Thanks, Dave

[MRUSA14]

If you want the very best, get Lifelines. There are cheaper brands around also, but Lifelines are the best.

[ROAquaman]

I almost bought some group 27 glass mat house batteries from Sams for $250 each.
Then went to Batteries Plus and bought some maintenence free for $80 each and figured if I get five years that's good enough. I'm sure they won't last as long but oh well.

[twinboat]

With 10 years of service, stick with what worked for you.

If your trading it in in 2 or 3 years, then maybe go with maintance free batteries.

With flooded batteries, you will need to check the water every month or so but if they are deep cycle and not dual purpose, you will get 6 to 8 years out of them.

Gel batteries are very sensitive to overcharging and no longer very popular.

[Gary RVRoamer]

That's a common size - Group 27 12v. AGMs are pricey but essentially maintenance free, so a great choice. Just make sure the battery you choose is designated as a deep cycle, not an engine cranking battery.

Lifeline and Trojan are the premier brands of deep cycle AGM for RVs, but you can get good private-label brands at Sam's Club or Costco too. The private label brands come from one of the 4 big battery makers in the US anyway, East Penn, Exide, Johnson Controls or US Battery. Just compare the amp-hour ratings for the price - they are all decent quality.

[dmurdock]

My Costco doesn't have any deep cycle batteries except flooded. Sam's has the Duracell AGM that look like east Penn/DEKA. My current batteries are east Penn DEKA hybrid (deep cycle with CCA rating) and are 8 yrs old and still test good. I'll be replacing them this year (I feel they are at the end of their life cycle) and so far are leaning toward the Duracell's.. About $190 for group 31s. Anybody know of a better deal for AGM's?

[Ed Headington]

Just make sure you are happy with the amp-hr rating on the Duracell batteries. I looked at the ones at the Sam's Club near us and the amp-hr rating was pretty low. I ended up getting our AGM deep cycle batteries from Battery USA. Their amp-hr rating was very close to the flooded cell batteries I was replacing. Just make sure that you will have as high an amp-hr rating as you do now, that's all.


Ed Headington

[wa8yxm]

You said "I am willing to consider a Gel"

First: Gel's in RV sizes are very hard to find
Second: it is the only battery you should NOT consider
Gel's are very delecate, they are very easily ruined, average life of only a few years.. AGM's much better

Flooded wet require more attantion from the owner but give by far the best BANG for your BUCK

[ByeTheWay]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

If you want the very best, get Lifelines. There are cheaper brands around also, but Lifelines are the best.

X 2

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by twinboat

...With 10 years of service, stick with what worked for you...

I'd get the exact same batteries that lasted 10 years.

[Mac99]

X3 on Lifelines.

[Pigman1]

X4 on Lifelines. We've had them in 2 different coaches and wouldn't use anything else. We boondock a LOT.

[dbdreamers]

Thanks to all for the great advice!

Dave C

[dmurdock]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

You said "I am willing to consider a Gel"

First: Gel's in RV sizes are very hard to find
Second: it is the only battery you should NOT consider
Gel's are very delecate, they are very easily ruined, average life of only a few years.. AGM's much better

Flooded wet require more attantion from the owner but give by far the best BANG for your BUCK

The 8yr old batteries I have are DEKA gel group 31...I think they've worked out great... just expensive.