GrouchyOldMan
Open Road
New Member
Joined: 09/30/2017
View Profile
 Offline
|
Greetings Forum Battery Gurus!
I'm currently running dual 12VDC 80 AH deep cycle AGM batteries wired parallel. When new they provided us with 3-4 days of normal use without resorting to the genset. We got four years out of them but the capacity is dropping now and it's time for replacement.
I have researched the latest lithium offerings and WOW, the price has come way down and the capacity is up.... but the required upgrades to my Victron monitor, charging system and some protection for cold weather charging and avoiding damage to my alternator all vote for simply replacing with like-kind, 100 AH deep cycle AGM.
Looks like that will set me back around $400 which is acceptable. So, my question is what brand is currently leading the pack and are then any specs or features I should consider?
Many thanks in advance for your advice.
-Grouchy
|
Ltrip
Reno, NV
Senior Member
Joined: 12/03/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
This past summer I installed 2 6v Lifeline AGM batteries. I did my research and settled on Lifeline. Working fine so far.
Cheers,
Larie Trippet Reno/Tahoe region
2018 Ford F250 Lariat Ultimate CC SB 4X4 diesel
2018 Arctic Fox 25Y
2019 BMW R1250RT
 (Custom).jpg)
|
ford truck guy
Pennsylvania
Senior Member
Joined: 03/22/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Ltrip wrote:This past summer I installed 2 6v Lifeline AGM batteries. I did my research and settled on Lifeline. Working fine so far.
Cheers,
X2
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet
|
Skibane
San Antonio, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 11/09/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Lifeline is good, so are Trojan and Odyssey.
The DEKA Intimidator batteries are a little less pricey than the other 3 brands mentioned, but are still pretty decent. They're more likely to be sold locally, which is nice is you ever need an in- warranty replacement.
|
GrouchyOldMan
Open Road
New Member
Joined: 09/30/2017
View Profile
Offline
|
Thx guys,
Question: is Warranty even something to be considered in this purchase? I have found with batteries and tires for that matter, that they tend to "wear out" just after the warranty ends. I reckon the manufacturer has a pretty good bead on that timeline. Even if there's a few "Pro-rated" dollars left on the warranty it isn't worth the hassle.
OR am I wrong?
|
|
|
corvettekent
Marysville, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/21/2014
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I have used both AGM and FLA batteries. I only get 3 or 4 years of service life out of AGM batteries. I 7 years out of flooded lead acid batteries.
As for brand I like Interstate and Trojan.
2022 Silverado 3500 High Country CC/LB, SRW, L5P. B&W Turnover Ball, Companion Hitch.
2004 32' Carriage 5th wheel. 860 watts of solar MPPT and four 6 volt batteries. Samlex 2,000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter.
|
Ltrip
Reno, NV
Senior Member
Joined: 12/03/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
corvettekent wrote:I have used both AGM and FLA batteries. I only get 3 or 4 years of service life out of AGM batteries. I 7 years out of flooded lead acid batteries.
As for brand I like Interstate and Trojan.
I think the useful life of a battery is largely due to how well you care for them. You have done a great job taking care of your FLA batteries!
|
Skibane
San Antonio, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 11/09/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
GrouchyOldMan wrote: Question: is Warranty even something to be considered in this purchase?
Many folks abuse their RV batteries.
If you take care of them, they'll probably either outlast the warranty, or die shortly after purchase.
Just about any manufacturer will replace a battery that fails shortly after purchase - and battery "infant mortality" is not unheard of.
The warranties on deep-cycle/trolling motor/RV batteries tend to be pretty short anyway, mostly because the way those particular batteries are used and maintained is unpredictable.
|
pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 12/18/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Best bang for the buck is telcom batteries that have been "pulled" because one battery in a string has failed.
The interstate stores sell them for $1 per amp-hour. I'm on year 5 with mine. They are maintained by solar between trips.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
|
MNRon
Tennessee
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Lifeline. Give them a call, their tech support and info is top notch. If you care for them you should expect 10yr+.
Ron & Pat
2022 F350 Lariat CCSB SRW Diesel
2019 VanLeigh Vilano 320 GK
|
|
|
