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Topic: AGM batteries with a Xantrex Prosine 2.5 - what settings? (Read 949 times) previous topic - next topic

AGM batteries with a Xantrex Prosine 2.5 - what settings?

A timely topic as our 3 house batteries, which are 4 year and 1 month old Trojan AGM 8Ds seem to be tired.  And we're going to be in Nac next month for seats, carpeting, leveling, etc.  The battery dealer in Nac would definitely be an option.  Danny's RV here in Denton where we got the current ones is another (they did right by us last time).

One question I've asked way back in the past and have never really seen a definitive answer to is "what is the proper setting for our Xantrex Prosine 2.5 given these AGMs?"  The Prosine 2.5 only has "gel" and "wet" setting, not AGM.

I posed the question to Xantrex, along with the battery specs, and they recommended "gel".  At the tail end of Aubrey's Grandvention talk, I though I heard mention that AGMs preferred the charge profile of "wet" to "gel".  Since Xantrex recommended "gel" that's where we left it (our coach originally had the MK gels).

So what would you do?  The new battery investment deserves a revisit of the question.  I uploaded the manual for reference  The selected media item is not currently available.
Michelle

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: AGM batteries with a Xantrex Prosine 2500 - what settings?

Reply #1 –
Wet cell and AGM's are VERY close in terms of preferred charging voltages.  Gels are very different.

Verify with the maker of your AGM batteries.  If Lifeline:  800 527-3224

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: AGM batteries with a Xantrex Prosine 2500 - what settings?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Wet cell and AGM's are VERY close in terms of preferred charging voltages.  Gels are very different.

That was what I'd gleaned back in 2007, and why I posed the question to Xantrex.  Guess I should have asked Trojan instead  :(  Won't make that mistake again.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: AGM batteries with a Xantrex Prosine 2500 - what settings?

Reply #3 –
After 8 years with the gels that came in my coach, I would wonder why after 4 years, they are "tired", ? Then you get into the talk of AGM vs Gel, and why we went back with the Gels.
Maybe before I check out, I might find the truth to this subject as so far is appears to be all opinion and little fact.  As there is much argument amoung the battery professionals.  They do not know either  ;D
 

Re: AGM batteries with a Xantrex Prosine 2.5 - what settings?

Reply #4 –
When I obtained my first Lifeline AGMs from AM Solar in my U-295 I asked them about the batteries being charged by the alternator at 14.4v or so for hours each day of driving.

This is the reply from AM Solar:
"I just called Lifeline. Their take on it is that it's not ideal to essentially float them in the 14V range but done periodically they don't feel that it's an issue. They told me that they have a lot of their batteries in long haul trucks. The batteries are not lasting as long as they would under ideal conditions but apparently the truckers are getting about 3 1/2 years out of the batteries after driving almost every day, often all day."
Since I don't drive 8 hours every day, and my RV is at rest at least 6 months a year, I've concluded the 14.4v charging while driving issue might reduce the life of my AGMs somewhat, but it's unlikely to reduce it to less than 5 years.
The AGMs in our U-295 lasted four years for sure (until we sold it). But I think they died when they were allowed to totally discharge. This also happened to our current U320 - and the RV Service Center paid for 3 new Lifelines right before we purchased our U320.

So, in short. If my choice was wet vs Gel, I'd pick Wet.

But if understand what "Gel" means, using it would not hurt the AGMs. The question might be whether the AGMs would be fully charged under a "Gel" charging scheme.

AGMs can take, and request, a lot of amps.

It also might help to call AM Solar. They are fine folks. Welcome to AM Solar - Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987


best, paul 1999 U320


Quote
A timely topic as our 3 house batteries, which are 4 year and 1 month old Trojan AGM 8Ds seem to be tired. And we're going to be in Nac next month for seats, carpeting, leveling, etc. The battery dealer in Nac would definitely be an option. Danny's RV here in Denton where we got the current ones is another (they did right by us last time).
One question I've asked way back in the past and have never really seen an answer to is "what is the proper setting for our Xantrex Prosine 2500 given these AGMs?" The Prosine 2500 only has "gel" and "wet" setting, not AGM.

I posed the question to Xantrex, along with the battery specs, and they recommended "gel". At the tail end of Aubrey's Grandvention talk, I though I heard mention that AGMs preferred the charge profile of "wet" to "gel". Since Xantrex recommended "gel" that's where we left it (our coach originally had the MK gels).

So what would you do? The new battery investment deserves a revisit of the question. I uploaded the manual for reference
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element