AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Topic: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty? (Read 876 times) previous topic - next topic

AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

July 08, 2018, 02:32:52 pm

I was doing some looking around at various brushless alternator manufacturers and came across a company called KEI Alternators. On their site, they had a link warning about the use of AGM batteries with their products and the hazards associated with the use of those type of batteries.

Included in the warning, among other things:

-If using AGM Batteries, only the same exact Model/Manufacturer can be used in multi-battery vehicles. Same model etc..... You can't use any other battery !
-AGM Batteries have .000002 ohms of resistance. This could cause the alternator to be at max output continuously!
-K.E.I.'s Warranty makes the use of AGM batteries a voidable, by K.E.I., warranty situation!

Has anyone heard of another manufacturer voiding their warranty if AGM batteries are used? Has anyone noticed any overheating problems from the possibility of the alternator running continuously at maximum output?

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #1 – July 08, 2018, 02:54:31 pm

I would guess a majority of the members on this Forum have AGM batteries in their coaches. If their alternators were bursting into balls of flame, or otherwise self destructing, we probably would have heard about it.

Sounds like BS to me...I would choose another manufacturer.

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #2 – July 08, 2018, 03:19:46 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – July 08, 2018, 02:54:31 pm

I would guess a majority of the members on this Forum have AGM batteries in their coaches. If their alternators were bursting into balls of flame, or otherwise self destructing, we probably would have heard about it.
Sounds like BS to me...I would choose another battery manufacturer.

What Chuck said: the only work done on our alternator was in 2011, when it was overhauled @ 154,000, having now 170,000.
This coach has always had AGM batteries, bow and stern, so were it to have blown up, I would not be writing this from this coach.
'Optima' for starting, 'Lifeline' for house with a 'True Charge 40' that I keep a close eye on.

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #3 – July 08, 2018, 06:11:33 pm

They maybe referring to the use of Lifeline AGM's as they mention the ultra low resistance internal cell connections in their construction. Hence the different profile for them in our magnum.

Their mention, I think, was to not mix different batteries in a bank.

AGM's would fail in a single installation at high temps and with a non temp corrected std high voltage alternator?

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #4 – July 08, 2018, 06:35:53 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – July 08, 2018, 06:11:33 pm

AGM's would fail in a single installation at high temps and with a non temp corrected std high voltage alternator?

One thing Optima says in their cut sheet: "You can use a high performance alternator with a Optima battery". That's also the confusion about using Red Top, Yellow Top or Blue top. Batteries are batteries, but HOW YOU CHARGE THEM, is the big deal.

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #5 – July 08, 2018, 07:28:18 pm

Red, yellow, blue and dark or light case on optimas denote different technologies inside.

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Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #6 – July 08, 2018, 10:14:31 pm

How do you determine which red top to get for a 2001 Foretravel. I presume that you would choose red top for starting power ? They sure are a little pricey....no??

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #7 – July 08, 2018, 10:39:44 pm

Only one red top. IF you never kill it they are extremely long lasting. Like leave your headlights on.

Lots of 12 year reports here

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #8 – July 09, 2018, 09:51:41 am

Quote from: GleamB – July 08, 2018, 10:14:31 pm

They sure are a little pricey....no??

No, when you consider how long quality AGM batteries last!

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #9 – July 09, 2018, 09:51:49 am

Two points:

How would they know that the battery technology is what killed the batteries?

And, any battery technology, if the battery bank is both large and deeply discharged WILL run the alternator at max amps. This is one of the reasons for starting the generator and letting the inverter/charger to the initial "heavy lifting". This has been discussed for decades.

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AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

July 08, 2018, 02:32:52 pm

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #1 – July 08, 2018, 02:54:31 pm

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #2 – July 08, 2018, 03:19:46 pm

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #3 – July 08, 2018, 06:11:33 pm

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #4 – July 08, 2018, 06:35:53 pm

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #5 – July 08, 2018, 07:28:18 pm

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #6 – July 08, 2018, 10:14:31 pm

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #7 – July 08, 2018, 10:39:44 pm

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #8 – July 09, 2018, 09:51:41 am

Re: AGM Batteries Void Alternator Warranty?

Reply #9 – July 09, 2018, 09:51:49 am

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