| [GMCnet] Coach Batteries [message #260122] |
Tue, 26 August 2014 14:02  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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That is also what I always thought, Hal, but at FMCA both the Interstate battery guys who sell wet cell batteries under their own name and also rep Full River AGMs (good quality Chinese batteries) and the Lifeline (great quality US AGM batteries) reps independently told me that their AGMs could consistently be discharged to 80% without harm and would still outlast wet cells discharged to 50% the same number of cycles. I told them what I was planning (small amp hour AGM bank discharged when needed to 80% rather than larger wet cell bank discharged to 50%) and they both agreed that in our GMCs the AGMs would perform better and for longer than wet cells.
So, maybe neither knew what they were talking about, or were just trying to sell their AGM batteries, but both were independently consistent in their remarks.
When I look at our usage of being in the GMCs about 100 or more days per year my guess is we would fully cycle either type of battery bank only 50 or so times. If the cycle life at 80% discharge on the AGMs and 50% on the wet cells is only 400 to 500 cycles, that still means close to 10 years of use out of either kind of bank. If that works out to be correct, whether the AGMs or the wet cells last longer is immaterial. I will be nearing the end of my useful GMC road life by then anyway....grin. I will take the convenience and lower weight of the AGMs. Others may do differently. Cheers.
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
Visitors always welcome!
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
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Message: 12
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 22:32:10 -0600
From: Hal StClair
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Coach Batteries
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
I've used 8D AGM's by Chinese and US manufacturing companies (Zantrex, and Decka brands) as well as Trojan L16 and T105's, 6 volt flooded cell
batteries. If any are discharged beyond 50% the life expectancy really tanks. The AGM's, are close to twice the price of liquid cells. I've also had
better life with liquid cells but the caveat here is maintenance. If charged properly with a good charger, kept clean and full of H2O they have
outlived any AGM I've used. I think you'll find the majority of off grid systems are using the flooded cell batteries also. How many golf carts have
you seen with T105's? lots.
If you can't access the batteries to do the required periodic maintenance you could use some of the automatic or manual watering systems available. I
use a system that waters as well as vents, that is it has vent lines I use to run the gasses out of the compartment.
Batteries seem to be a difficult science to get a handle on. No two systems are exactly the same so results vary dramatically between users. There are
a lot of differing opinions and no one system that fits all.
Just my .02 cents worth,
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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| Re: [GMCnet] Coach Batteries [message #260151 is a reply to message #260122] |
Tue, 26 August 2014 19:04  |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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I have also heard the 80% number by some of the sales people but have been quite skeptical with their claims, although I'm certainly no expert Jerry. We were at the recent FMCA rally in Redmond also but didn't catch any of the Battery seminars. My personal experience has been different but that's a very small sample and certainly not a significant number. Northern Arizona Wind And Power has an interesting site and they seem to be quite level handed in their assessments. The Trojan site has some good information also. I believe they still use the 50% numbers for discharge rates. Of course if you have the charging ability to really hammer a large charge into the bank, the AGM's will take a significantly higher charge than the wet cells.That could tip the scales toward the AGM's.
We tried to spot other GMC's at the Redmond FMCA Rally but only noted one. We did stop and visit with a very friendly lady but her husband wasn't there at the time.
That wouldn't have been you we missed would it?
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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