Yahoo Message Number: 66567 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66567)
Hello all
Can anyone tell me why one of my house AGM battery bubbles and fumes of sulfur with charging (connected to shore) in storage. They are in an 08 Intrigue so probably no more that 3.5 years old. If I replace only the problematic battery, will I be causing life expectancy issues? I hate to change out all 4 AGM's on such relatively young batteries.
I really can't get any of my house or starter batteries to remain charged in storage as I fear keeping the power on for any extended time with the bubbling/fumes.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Ed
08 Intrigue #12260
Yahoo Message Number: 66568 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66568)
Ed,
Is your inverter remote set up properly to the type of AGM you have? If you were set up for Flooded batteries then you might have been over charging the batteries on the equalizing mode. AGM's do not like the equalization charge or as much of it as flooded batteries will take. You never want to over charge a AGM (equalization mode) or you will have problems soon. Perhaps your temperatrue sensor is not working or postioned in the best place to sense battery temperature. Some AGM's like lifelines take a lower float than Deka or other AGM's.
If you were set up for Flooded Batteries on our inverter remote then you are definately overcharging your AGM batteries to reach the perceived float level. AGM's will normally take much more amps on the recharge cycle then the flooded batteries but will top off at float at a lower voltage 13.4-13.6 volts compared to 13.8 for flooded.
Dallas 2004 ovation c12 11688
Yahoo Message Number: 66571 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66571)
Ed...
If the battery is fuming/bubbling while in storage, sounds like your "float" voltage is set too high...
With a good VOM, (Fluke makes a good one) check the "bulk" charging voltage at the battery terminals. It should be 14.4 Volts or less (13.8 is best for long battery life), and should be the same at each battery. When the charger goes into "Float" mode, again check the voltage at the battery terminals... it should be a maximum of 13.3 Volts for an AGM battery. You should be able to adjust the voltages at the inverter/charger if they are not at the proper levels.
Once you get the voltages set to the proper levels, run the battery "equalizing" procedure. Very likely, the battery that fumes and bubbles is your strongest battery and is taking more of the charging current than the other batteries due to it's lower internal resistance.
buck
k7wn, '99Magna5653, Cat C10, Allison 4060HD
===================================================
Yahoo Message Number: 66578 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66578)
From: Dallas Evans
To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 9:23:34 PM
Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: AGM Battery Bubbling
Ed,
Is your inverter remote set up properly to the type of AGM you have? If you were set up for Flooded batteries then you might have been over charging the batteries on the equalizing mode. AGM's do not like the equalization charge or as much of it as flooded batteries will take. You never want to over charge a AGM (equalization mode) or you will have problems soon. Perhaps your temperatrue sensor is not working or postioned in the best place to sense battery temperature. Some AGM's like lifelines take a lower float than Deka or other AGM's.
If you were set up for Flooded Batteries on our inverter remote then you are definately overcharging your AGM batteries to reach the perceived float level. AGM's will normally take much more amps on the recharge cycle then the flooded batteries but will top off at float at a lower voltage 13.4-13.6 volts compared to 13.8 for flooded.
Dallas 2004 ovation c12 11688
#12260
Dallas
Thanks for the reply...I will check that first.
Ed
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Yahoo Message Number: 66579 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66579)
From: buck
To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 10:49:46 PM
Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: AGM Battery Bubbling
Ed...
If the battery is fuming/bubbling while in storage, sounds like your "float" voltage is set too high...
With a good VOM, (Fluke makes a good one) check the "bulk" charging voltage at the battery terminals. It should be 14.4 Volts or less (13.8 is best for long battery life), and should be the same at each battery. When the charger goes into "Float" mode, again check the voltage at the battery terminals... it should be a maximum of 13.3 Volts for an AGM battery. You should be able to adjust the voltages at the inverter/charger if they are not at the proper levels.
Once you get the voltages set to the proper levels, run the battery "equalizing" procedure. Very likely, the battery that fumes and bubbles is your strongest battery and is taking more of the charging current than the other batteries due to it's lower internal resistance.
buck
k7wn, '99Magna5653, Cat C10, Allison 4060HD
===================================================
Buck
Thanks for the reply....sounds like good advice. I will check and adjust if necessary.
Hope that's the answer.
Ed
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Yahoo Message Number: 66581 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66581)
from: "Charging Procedures for Lifeline AGM Batteries"
"Equalizing should only be done when the battery is showing symptoms of capacity loss or from inadvertent deep discharges. In the event equalization is necessary, make sure to go through the normal charge cycle. Once the battery is fully charged, begin equalizing."
from buck: The fact that one of Ed's batteries is drawing more amperage when charging is clear indication that all other batteries in the "bank" are suffering capacity loss... As shown above, Lifeline recommends equalizing to rectify the problem.
buck
k7wn, '99magna5653, Cat C10, Allison 4060HD
=========================================================
Yahoo Message Number: 66583 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66583)
Ed,
What brand AGM's do you have for the house? Not sure how a glass mat AGM can bubble. If they're Lifelines, I'll get an answer for you.
Tom
Trans-Specialists/Lifeline Batteries
01 Magna 5999
trans-specialists.net (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Country-Coach-Owners/www.trans-specialists.net)
Yahoo Message Number: 66597 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66597)
Ed, I can't tell you why one of your batteries is performing poorly. Perhaps a bad cell. Perhaps some other internal failure.
If it were me I would immediately remove that battery from the bank. You don't need to physically take it out of the bay. Just remove the cables to that battery. You will lose 25% of the theoretical capacity but, realistically, that battery has probably been reducing your capacity by more than that since it's demise. You may find this to be adequate capacity.
These batteries have a 5 year warranty. I suggest that you contact Lifeline and get the ball rolling on a replacement. I don't think you would be crazy to replace the single battery. It is not ideal but not out in left field either. Ask Lifeline what they suggest.
Good luck.
George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
Yahoo Message Number: 66602 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66602)
Thanks for the reply
Yahoo Message Number: 66603 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/66603)
They are factory installed DEKA's
Thanks