AGM coach deep battery experience.

[Gonzo 1066]

My new trailer is now been in use for about 10 months. It came with LifeLine AGM group 24 batteries VERY EXPENSIVE at near $300 each. They will not hold a charge now. The trailer manufacturer says it is my fault because I leave the coach plugged in when it is at home. The battery manufacturer says that being plugged in full time is a good practice to maintain the AGM style battery. LifeLine is supposed to have a 5 year warranty but they are only offering a discount on the purchase of new AGM batteries. I feel kind of shafted on this deal, my previous RVs usually had the batteries last about 2 years before I had to replace them. I have decided to go with a conventional acid flood battery. Has anyone had any experience with AGM style batteries in a RV or boat??

 

[HBarlow]

I know nothing about the batteries you mentioned but keeping your trailer plugged in all the time is exactly what I do also. However, some OEM RV converters will overcharge and destroy your batteries if you do that.

Progressive Dynamics builds a lot of outstanding RV products including AC to DC converter chargers which use three or four modes to regulate charge rate from fast to tiny trickle. Their converters also include what they call a Charge Wizard which is the device that monitors battery condition and determines charge rate.

Intelli-Power PD9260C 60A Electronic RV Converter/Charger

It is an outstanding product that I have retrofitted into three travel trailers over the years including my HitchHiker which had a cheap-o converter which overcharged my batteries.

When I bought the new converter about two years ago I went out to install it on a Saturday and there was something minor I couldn't find in the package so I sent an email to Progressive Dynamics asking about it. To my surprise the company owner replied with a polite, helpful explanation of where the item was within an hour of my post on a Saturday.

The problem turned out to be me! I had simply overlooked a tiny package or something similar, I've forgotten now.

Great company and great products. Luxury grade fifthwheels and motorhomes normally come with their converters installed from the factory.

 

[GAmes]

I use AGM batteries in my Dodge and my boat. When I hook up the 5er I use the boat batteries. I also use an AGM as the required battery for pulling new trailers from the factory. If yours failed it was more than likely caused by a faulty converter in your camper. I wouldn't buy any other type of battery.

 

[BrandonF]

optimas in wife's BAT and we do not like them I had to get an agm charger and just hook to batteries, no shoreline. They are working well now. I was advised to charge dead agm's take a good 12v battery hook it up to the charger and then hook that battery to your agm battery it will be correctly charged in a day or so on trickle. My next step on the BAT is to switch to lead acid 6 volt batteries and be done.

 

[Road Dog]

An AGM battery can't be charged as fast as a wet cell (during the bulk charge part of charging) but once you get to trickle they're all the same. A low quality charger will boil off a wet cell or overheat an AGM when it's supposed to trickle charge. With a good charger and keeping the battery charged it should last 5 - 10 years. I leave my camper plugged in (and charging) but for the first while I checked the battery weekly to make sure it was ok.

 

[HBarlow]

Gonzo,

Based on the information about AGM batteries provided by the other three members following my post about Intellipower converters I suggest you call or email Progressive Dynamics before buying if you go that route and ask if their converters are compatible with AGM batteries or if they offer a different converter for AGM batteries.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I have decided to go back to a conventional acid flood battery. On previous RVs I would get nearly 2 years out of cheap wall mart batteries. If I have to replace batteries every year why would I spend $600 when $200 will do the same job??

 

[Road Dog]

Undercharging (i. e. no trickle charge) will kill the battery too. At least with regular batteries you can pop the caps and check the fluids.

 

[TFucili]

I have decided to go back to a conventional acid flood battery. On previous RVs I would get nearly 2 years out of cheap wall mart batteries. If I have to replace batteries every year why would I spend $600 when $200 will do the same job??

With all respect, I think you are missing the good advice being given by other members. There is likely an issue with your setup. A good AGM battery, like Deka, will outlast a flooded battery by a wide margin. Good luck with the new trailer.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

With all respect, I think you are missing the good advice being given by other members. There is likely an issue with your setup. A good AGM battery, like Deka, will outlast a flooded battery by a wide margin. Good luck with the new trailer.

I do underatand that point, however I have had the charging unit checked out and I am told that the initial charge rate and the maintaince rate are all as they should be for the AGM batteries. I am not willing to test another expensive pair of batteries, It will be interesting to see how this all works out. I am leaving for a 12 day trip tomorrow, Wish me well. .

 

[Bill Stockard]

I have decided to go back to a conventional acid flood battery. On previous RVs I would get nearly 2 years out of cheap wall mart batteries. If I have to replace batteries every year why would I spend $600 when $200 will do the same job??

I'm on 5 years with a "cheap Wal-Mart battery" in my RV and it remains plugged in 24/7. the camper came from the factory with a Intelli-Charge converter with the Charge Wizard and it has never 'boiled" the battery dry. I usually add a little distilled water about once every 4 or 5 months and the electrolyte has never been below the top of the plates.



Bill