Does new AGM battery require new converter?

[Teamfoxy]

Originally Posted by RHD51

So if I go to an AGM, I need to be concerned about the alternator over charging the battery?
My next trip will be two long days of travel to destination, How do I solve this?

You could solve this by disconnecting the isolator solinoid so that only the chassis battery is charged. I do not know if that is really neccessary though.

[RHD51]

Originally Posted by Wbago97

Interesting but I think the danger is actually more from the alternator on a long drive than the converter he listed @ 13.6V.

Interesting, I did not consider that the alternator may overcharge the batt.
Any suggestions on how to solve this?

[Sbrownstein]

Check to make sure that your chassis battery isn't already an AGM, mine is!

[RHD51]

Originally Posted by Teamfoxy

You could solve this by disconnecting the isolator solinoid so that only the chassis battery is charged. I do not know if that is really neccessary though.

Thanks for the input, can anyone tell me if this is necessary or not?

[RHD51]

Originally Posted by Sbrownstein

Check to make sure that your chassis battery isn't already an AGM, mine is!

Thanks, I will check. but I don't believe it is on an 07 Silverado.

[Sbrownstein]

Originally Posted by RHD51

Thanks for the input, can anyone tell me if this is necessary or not?

Actually, I don't think you have an isolation relay on a TT. Doubt that you would hurt your TT batteries through the 7 pin charge line anyway.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The well-meaning gurus are making this far too complicated. The optimum charger for an AGM battery will have slightly different charging voltages but a "plain old charger" still works adequately. Nor is the alternator a worry - both cars and motorhomes have been using AGM batteries for over 15 years now and there have been no issues attributed to standard automotive alternators. Again, they could probably make some design change that might give slight improvement to AGM battery life, but it's hardly worth worrying about. There are many factors that have some slight impact on battery life and small differences in charge profiles is down at the noise level. You might better worry about battery temperature or corrosion at the terminals.

Since you are spending money for an expensive AGM battery, you really need the better charging quality of a 3-stage charger to protect the battery investment, but your WFCO 8945 does that already.

[RHD51]

WFCO web site does say the 8945 is a 3 stage charger and is good for an AGM batt. That appears to be for current model.
I emailed WFCO to confirm if model manufactured in 06 or before are also 3 stage?
Still trying to figure out if alternator overcharge is a problem?

[Sbrownstein]

Agree with Gary. Actually the only time I have had trouble with regular chargers on AGM batteries was when they were really dead. Often a regular charger won't "wake them up."

Either way, even you WFCO is just fine.

[RHD51]

Thanks Gary, That seems to answer all my questions.

[Sbrownstein]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Still needs to have a setting for AGM. Just being three or four stage isn't enough.

"WFCO web site does say the 8945 is a 3 stage charger and is good for an AGM batt."

[Wbago97]

Originally Posted by RHD51

So if I go to an AGM, I need to be concerned about the alternator over charging the battery?
My next trip will be two long days of travel to destination, How do I solve this?

Maybe I shouldn't have used the word "danger". For what it's worth, I have an Optima Redtop AGM starting battery in my motorhome. I've taken several trips and it has always checked out fine when I put the smart charger on it. I can't say I've noticed warnings on the AGM batteries at the stores...I could've missed it though.

[Finance]

WFCO have a reputation for being reluctant to enter boost / bulk charge mode. Often exacerbated by minimal wire size between charger and batteries. I prefer the PD myself, because they reliably bulk charge, and you can both monitor and manually control the charge with the remote.

[leadman]

Never has issues charging an AGM battery with an alternator or standard charger. They are still a lead acid battery, just in a different configuration inside.