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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #25 – May 27, 2010, 09:24:24 am

Deep cycle AGM batteries if you are going to boondock.  Get the biggest that will fit. 

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #26 – May 27, 2010, 10:35:33 am

I just replaced my 9 year old 8d's with Deka Seamate AGM's 255 amp hour, cost $411.00 each plus tax with no disposal fee.
 Bill W.

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #27 – May 27, 2010, 06:07:08 pm

I wonder if Gels would be a better choice if you are not planning to do extended boondocking? I know from Barry's post earlier that AGM's will charge faster than Gels when the batteries are hot and thus cut down on the generator time to recharge.
We will probably just do an overnight occasionally and a few days rarely of boondocking. The Deka Gels have a 12 month free replacement and 60 month pro-rated warranty, while the AGMs have 12/36 month warranty. I think the difference is explained by the shorter cycle life of AGMs.
   

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #28 – May 27, 2010, 08:09:40 pm

How's the cost benefit analysis on the two types?  Is there a significant savings?  If gels can give you 10 years of performace vs. 6 for the AGM's.

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #29 – June 03, 2010, 01:48:02 pm

Being a newby to this forum I'm a little hesitant to make any waves.

BUT, I've been using solar charging and golf cart batteries for more than 10 years now and have found that golf cart batteries give the greatest bang for the buck in motorhome or residential use.

I recently replaced my 8D starting battery (30 days ago) AND replaced the 2- 8D house batteries with 6 ea- 6v golf cart batteries ten days ago. The 6 golf cart batteries fit exactly where the 2-8D's were with no modifications to the original battery box.

The golf cart batteries are series parallel wired to give 675 AH @ 12 volts versus 450AH for the 2-8D's.

Here is something to consider, the 8D starting battery was purchased @ the Interstate Distributor in Tucson for $389.50 out the door. No install.

After driving to VA, the trip dictated house battery replacement. After shopping and calling every outlet in the Richmond area, the price at SAM'S was by far the best and they also had the freshest batteries(<than 30 days old). The batteries are labeled "ENERGIZER",w/ the Bunnie running. Made in PA by the same manufacturer that makes  the Interstate.

SAM'S price for the 8D is $134.55 + tax and the golf cart batteries are $74.79 + tax each.

So, $600.00 out the door WILL replace all the batteries & increase the house battery capacity for those that dry camp/ boondock or would like to.  Five cables will have to be purchased or fabricated IF the golf cart battery route is what is chosen.

If additional info is desired PM me with ?'s.

John

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #30 – June 03, 2010, 01:59:11 pm

John,

Welcome to the ForeForum.

If the question is, "What is the least expensive quality deep cycle battery per amp-hr?" most would agree that 6 VDC golf cart batteries are the answer.

If the question is" What is the best deep cycle battery (independent of price)?" the answer shifts to AGM batteries.

No conflict with either statement, just different questions.

Brett Wolfe

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #31 – June 03, 2010, 02:22:40 pm

Brett,

No argument with that!

In my other coach, the golf cart batteries are going on 8 years old and still check as new according to the specific gravity, voltage and duration when in use. Having a really good charging and maintenance system makes a world of difference in battery life and reliability.

John

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #32 – June 04, 2010, 11:23:53 am

Brett, et al; I am about to replace all three of my house batteries. I had decided on 8g8d gels, but you and a others have indicated a preference for the 8a8d absorded glass mats.
Barry B posted that AGM's will charge faster in high temperature conditions and thus will require less generator run time to recharge.
What are other advantages of the AGM's?
It looks like FT has changed to AGM's in their new coaches.
East Penn's Technical Manual does a pretty good job of listing advantages and disadvantages of both and it looks to me like the higher cycle life would justify the higher initial cost of Gels.
I'd like to hear opinions on this.
Thanks, Dick

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #33 – June 04, 2010, 04:27:18 pm

I had 18 golf cart batteries on my boat for 10 years.  One downside is that when they charge, they gas, even if you have the charge specs right.  When they charge and they put out gas, you need to stay on top of the water levels to keep the plates covered.
I put "hydro-cap on the batteries (a florida company) which has a catalyst in it that converts the gas back to water.  Saved the day for us, but it adds an expense to the golf cart batteries.
Went to AGM's in the coach because of the bouncing.
Lead Acid wet cells should be equalized occasionally, check with the inverter to see how it is done.

Mike Baldacchino
'97 40' U320 CAI
Purple Haze

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Re: House battery performance question

Reply #34 – June 05, 2010, 10:27:12 pm

Bump.
Ok y'all. I would really like to know why you favor AGM's over Gel's.

Thanks,  Dick

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