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WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Yahoo Message Number: 75848
We have a Affinity 730 , 2006 with 8D wet cells house batteries. Do not know which is best to use when replacing... any suggestions? AGM or Wet Cell?

thanks,
hugs,

amy

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75851
It generally depends on a few variables.

1 The size of your wallet

2 your battery maintenance habits

3 your location (proximity to suppliers) 4 you shopping skills

Bob Wexler

SOB Lifeline AGM

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75853
Amy,

I agree with Bob. There is quite a bit of good to say about AGM's as they are almost maintenance free (only need to keep the terminals clean) and technically they will accept a higher charge if you run them quite low then they will charge back up a little quicker. I bought the Lifeline AGM 6 Volts because of the location access and so I could relax a little about the maintenance while in storage. Not sure that it makes up for the expense though.

John

05 Inspire
#51399

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75859
John

There is also the issue of corrosive gases when the batteries are recharging. If you do a lot of drying camping and therefore more recharging the problem is compounded.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348 (AGM)

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75860
Dan, what are those corrosive gases when the batteries are recharging, as you have said?

Lee
--

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75862
There are many brands of AGM battery's. I installed the 8D Lifeline AGMs in Jan of '04 and they are still like new. They charge quick, very little self discharge, and require zero upkeep.

Prices vary a lot os do some on line shopping.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75863
How do you know they are just like new?

Jim E

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75864
Lee,

I will raise my ahnd on that one. The answer to that is...opps. Hydrogen is the gas, which is explosive so it needs to be ventilated away from sparks or flames and is not corrosive. The sulfuric acid is part of the liquid in the battery that can over flow or bubble out of the vents and is highly corrosive. Do I get an 'A' Lee?

Dallas 2004 intrigue 11688 c12

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75868
Lee

Those corrosive gases are the ones that rot your battery trays and battery tray slides.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75869
Hi Dallas,

Any Science Teacher would have a problem with the 'corrosive gases' comment, as Sulfuric Acid is a liquid which causes all the corrosion, which you've acknowledged with the oops and an excellent explanation. Indeed, you get an 'A' Dallas.
It may seem like hair splitting, but there is already too much 'bad science' in the world, no sense adding to it.
I find the care and feeding of wet cells rather easy to do and would rather spend the money saved on my choice of best tires, but that's just me.

Lee
--

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75872
Amy,

The benefits of Lifeline AGM Batteries are maintenance free, longer life, 5 year warranty and you won't have acid/corrosion destroying your battery bay compartment and trays. They are more expensive than lead acid, but you get what you pay for.

Tom

Lifeline Batteries
1997 Prevost

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75877
I think batteries are like any other appliance in you RV. AGM batteries are "better" and they cost more, a hot water heating system (AquaHot) is "better" than a propane fired forced air system but costs more. This is the case with just about every component of your RV.
From what I have read, on the subject of AGM or lead acid batteries, the advantages of AGM are slightly exaggerated. I have never owned AGM batteries so I can't give a personal experience. It seems most AGM users state the advantage of AGMs is no maintenance or corrosion. IMO, the corrosion problem, associated with lead acid batteries, can be solved by "not" overfilling. I keep the water level just above the battery plates and I get no corrosion. Now, this requires a little more attention but it is no big deal. It seems most battery water adding systems, even bottles, fill them too high. I don't use them.
I have a problem believing AGM will last longer than lead acid that are properly maintained. The "get what you pay for" statement is often quoted when discussing anything that is controversial. An automatic TV dish is much better than one that is manual. They cost more but you "get what you pay for". A diesel powered MH is better, they cost more, but "you get what you pay for". I could go on but I think you get the picture. Please don't slam me too hard, it's just my opinion.

Jim E

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75879
Jim,

To add to what you are saying not over filling is important but probably more important is not charging them with to high of a amperage causing them to outgas and splatter. Interstate Batteries recommends nine amps for each lead acid 8D battery.
Kevin Burns

2000 Affinity #5865

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75882
Jim:

What do you use to fill the batteries?

Gil B

'05 Inspire
51322

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75884
First I wanted to apologize to Dan. He was not really wrong, the subsequent exchange only clarified Dan's more general statement. To the RV owner it sure acts like a corrosive gas, but is actually a mixture of hydrogen gas (which can possibly be explosive) and a sulfuric acid mist (definitely corrosive). This wasn't meant to be a test, Dallas was just hungry for an 'A.' ;-))
One easy way to deal with the occasional wet cell acid bubble over is to spray on and around the batteries with a baking soda solution (just dissolve some grocery store baking soda in water) in a plastic spray bottle and keep handy with your other 'cleaning stuff.' Spray until the bubbling stops. What is left is water and some harmless salts. Then hose down the whole bay and air dry.
Since the battery bays that start out with wet cell batteries that I've seen are a metal frame with holes, the harmless water/salt solution will drain out on the ground. It seems that once you neutralize the acid with the baking soda solution your situation is no different then with AGM batteries in a former wet cell bay - a wet battery bay, just like every time you drive on wet roads that get dirty from road grim that you need to hose down.

Lee
--

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75887
Gil,

The easiest and cheapest device is a turkey baster. You can also use a regular battery water filler bottle but that requires careful attention. I prefer the baster.

Jim E

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75891
Load test!
Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75892
The brand is LifeLine made by Concord.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11429
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75895
Even easier is the small water bottles with the "sports" tips that push out. They are the perfect size, can be sealed shut and offer more control than a turkey baster (and more capacity!)

IMO,
Mark

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75902
Gil,

I keep an empty 64 oz. V-8 bottle clean and in the storage bay. It has indentations on the side that make for a comfortable and can handle enough volume to fill a needy cell. I fill it about 1/3 full with distilled water at a time.
I check the batteries about once a month when the coach is in storage - more frequently when under way. I agree with Lee's baking soda suggestion - I've been spraying down the bay several times a year.
I recently replaced the five year old bank of six 6-volt house batteries and it would have cost 3 times as much to install AGM's so I replaced them with flooded. I did not feel comfortable with that additional cost.

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75909
Don,

I'm not trying to be a smart a--. How do you do a load test.

Jim E

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75910
Mark,

Glad to hear, will look into that.

Jim E

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75911
James, the easiest way is to go to a FMCA function where there are battery vendors and have them do it. Or, you can purchase equipment and do it yourself.
Here is a site that talks about battery testing. http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/rapid_testing_portable_batteries
Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: WHICH new batteries to choose? AGM or Wet Cells

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75913
Lots of good info here. Two years ago I replaced my wonderful AGM's with nasty wet cell batteries. While I admit to not being a maintenance person, it was a huge mistake. Lots of maintenance and a huge mess destroying my battery compartment. Never again! DBradley 04 Intrigue #11830