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AGM Battery Bubbling

Yahoo Message Number: 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

Re: AGM Battery Bubbling

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 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

Re: AGM Battery Bubbling

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 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

===================================================

Re: AGM Battery Bubbling

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 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

Quote from: Edward Myles
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



Dallas

Thanks for the reply...I will check that first.
Ed

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Re: AGM Battery Bubbling

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 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

===================================================

Quote
Can anyone tell me why one of my house AGM battery bubbles and fumes of sulfur with charging (connected to shore) in storage.

Any thoughts?
Thanks
Ed

08 Intrigue #12260

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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Re: AGM Battery Bubbling

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 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

=========================================================

Re: AGM Battery Bubbling

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 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

Re: AGM Battery Bubbling

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 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
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298