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Gel versus flooded battery

Yahoo Message Number: 5294
I was at the Dekka battery factory and was told that one cannot simply switch to AGM batteries if your coach is setup for flooded batteries. The charging levels are different, etc.

Gene

Gel versus flooded battery

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5302
At a seminar at the CC Reunion last year, the rep from the inverter company said that the inverter needed to be reprogrammedd for AGM or gel batteries. The guys at the plant (in customer service) should be up on this issue or be able to refer you.

Although the newer batteries require less maintenance it is my understanding that they are less efficient. You may want to spend the extra cash and "supersize" your batteries. I have lead/acid Trojans in mine that are about twice the size of the stock batteries. This required the fabrication of a new tray and a Link 1000 was added at the same time. Just depends on you need for dry camping capability.
Mine was done by the previous owner and I do not know who did the work (I asked for receipts, but got none). Carrier and Sons in Eugene might be a source, the inverter manufacturing may know of a shop, or a builder of custom systems for boats may be a source.

Chuck Gauthier
Intrigue 11142
La Quinta, CA

Gel versus flooded battery

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5304
Gene, that is true. I have a Link 2000 remote control for my Heart charger/inverter. The manual explains how to set the charger for flooded cell, gel cell or AGM. You can also reduce the input VA to the charger so that it won't trip the breaker when using the generator. You need to read the manual carefully tho', it is confusing in some areas. jerry in NM, '00 Magna.

Gel versus flooded battery

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5307
It is my understanding that an AGM battery has a lower internal resistance than a flooded cell. This means it can charge and discharge as a higher rate than a flooded cell while not getting hotter than the flooded cell. While high discharge current is great for starting an engine, it has no advantage for house batteries - so the advantage is higher charging current and therefore faster charging times. To take advantage of this property you would need to increase the current at which your charger bulk charges.

If you don't increase this charge current you don't have the advantage of faster charging, but you don't damage anything. The message then, is that a charger set up for flooded batteries will work fine on AGM, but not the reverse.

Arthur Block

'02 Intrigue #11332

Quote from: intrigue11142
> At a seminar at the CC Reunion last year, the rep from the inverter > company said that the inverter needed to be reprogrammedd for AGM

or

Quote
gel batteries. The guys at the plant (in customer service) should

be

Quote
up on this issue or be able to refer you.

Although the newer batteries require less maintenance it is my > understanding that they are less efficient. You may want to spend

the

Quote
extra cash and "supersize" your batteries. I have lead/acid Trojans > in mine that are about twice the size of the stock batteries. This > required the fabrication of a new tray and a Link 1000 was added at > the same time. Just depends on you need for dry camping capability.
Mine was done by the previous owner and I do not know who did the > work (I asked for receipts, but got none). Carrier and Sons in

Eugene

Quote
might be a source, the inverter manufacturing may know of a shop,

or

Gel versus flooded battery

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5328
Quote
Quote from: cdhollick@a...
Hi Everyone, Does anyone know if AGM batteries should be equalized? Thanks, Dale

Since no one has answered I guess no one knows the answer. I'll try to find my invoice and call the Lifeline dealer in Phoenix. I'll let you know what they say. (after the fourth) jerry in NM, '00 Magna.

Gel versus flooded battery/FMCA Buffalo

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5330
Hi Dale,

The answer is no. AGM batteries do not vent, they are sealled. They do not require "equalizing".

Happy 4th of July.

Anyone heading out east for the FMCA or pre-rally?

Damon

Re: Gel versus flooded battery

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5336
Hi Ray, Steve Stoney who is the CC Electrical Specialist Told me to equalize the AGM's. So I will do it and I figure if it screws up something then I will go back to CC since they are the ones saying to do this. I'll let you know what happens. Steve said that because they are lead acid, even though they are sealed, they should be equalized once in awhile. Dale

Re: Gel versus flooded battery

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5337
Thanks Jerry. I am up in the trees on the river and I do not get a phone signal out of here. Someone broke the pay phone, so I have to drive some 35 to 40 miles to a phone I could use for a call. The place we are staying has a line to get on the internet but no telephone for private calls. Dale

Re: Gel versus flooded battery

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5340
I have a Magna (6130) and am thinking of purchasing a new Country Coach (Magna or other) with the 42" Plasma TV. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has the Plasma TV and learning what their experience has been.

Thanks!

Paul Shirley

Re: Gel versus flooded battery

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5341
I have one and love it. I had heard there were problem with noise lines until the new ProSine inverter(starting with coach #6237).
Bob Magna #6238

--- Ptshirley@... wrote:

Quote
I have a Magna (6130) and am thinking of purchasing > a new Country Coach

(Magna or other) with the 42" Plasma TV. I would > appreciate hearing from anyone

who has the Plasma TV and learning what their > experience has been.

Thanks!

Paul Shirley
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com

Gel versus flooded battery - CAUTION!

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5343
I would be real carefull about equalizing any sealed battery. The charger portion of most inverters are programable through dip switches to set them up for other than the typical open-cell lead- acid battery. The programing will change the output voltage from the charger when it is in the equalization mode. Regular open-cell lead- acid batteries will take the higher voltage. As part of the process, the cell caps and compartment must be opened to allow the gases to adequately vent. Otherwise, you could create an explosion.
Equalization can take 8-10 hours and batteries should not be left unattended.
Jim

2000 Allure #30511

Quote from: Candace Hollick\[br\
] > Hi Ray, Steve Stoney who is the CC Electrical Specialist Told me to
equalize the AGM's. So I will do it and I figure if it screws up something then I will go back to CC since they are the ones saying to do this. I'll let you know what happens. Steve said that because they are lead acid, even though they are sealed, they should be equalized once in awhile. Dale

Re: Gel versus flooded battery/FMCA Buffalo

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5347
Damon, I'm curious about your claim that AGM batteries do not need equalizing as they are not vented. I was under the impression that venting had nothing to do with equalizing. Equalizing was bringing all of the cells up to the same voltage leval, so that one lower voltage cell did not pull the other cells in the battery down to its level is what I was taught. I had gel cell batteries in my cruising boat for eight years with no problems, but I equalized them once every month or so when we were cruising (dry camping with no hookups -- Five months on a Transpac race to Hawaii and then a year plus in Mexico.) I also set the alternator cutoff for charging at 14.5 volts. Again, my gel cells lasted me 8 years with no problems at all. Thats why I plan to replace my lead acid with AGM as soon as they die a natural death.
I realize that with batteries and charging there are as many different opinions and books as there are people, but did want to throw this experience out for what its worth.

Yes, we are on our way to the CC rally and then the Buffalo rally. This will be the third CC rally we have made reservations for - the other two we never made it due to enging problems. I am hoping we make it this time.

regards

Ron and Molly

Re: Gel versus flooded battery/FMCA Buffalo

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5362
Damon
I will be in Buffalo.... look forward to saying hello.
Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you are finished."
 

Re: Gel versus flooded battery/FMCA Buffalo

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5560
Hi, Damon.
Great meeting you in York. We had a ball there and at FMCA.
I must pass on to you what I was told by the Lifeline distributor at their exhibit in Buffalo. I was told that AGM's do benefit from periodic equalizing... the frequency being based on usage. Maybe he just wants the batteries to die young.
It's hard on the poor owner.... so many opinions. What's an owner to do?
We are headed for the Class Reunion in September. maybe we'll see you there.
Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you are finished."