Battery?
Battery?
dcpac |
Jan 11 2018, 11:15 AM
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#1
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Group: Members Posts: 2 Joined: 19-December 15 Member No.: 8,619 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ram 2500 4x4 Type of Tiedowns used: None Truck and Camper Setup: In process of buying |
I need to replace the lead acid batteries that came with my Hallmark truck camper. I want to use AGM. Can anyone provide a recommendation. I have solar on the camper if that matters.
Thanks! |
RV_Tech |
Jan 11 2018, 04:13 PM
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#2
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Group: Members Posts: 201 Joined: 27-July 12 Member No.: 6,199 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper. |
I picked up two AGMs at Sam's Club for my Hallmark last year. No problems. Solar is not an issue as i am sure you have a controller between your panels and the batteries. Makes life much simpler with no need to periodically add water to the cells.
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Freespool |
Jan 14 2018, 09:10 PM
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#3
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Group: Members Posts: 167 Joined: 2-June 16 Member No.: 8,975 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Still deciding Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2016 GMC3500dualyy4x4diesel Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift with Fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: The plan will utilize a 3500 GMC with a 11 or 12' TC with a full compliment of Torklift hitch components and tie downs. Stable loads if needed will be installed. |
Take a look at Mikes site, Truck Camper Adventure. Scroll down to the bottom for an excellent article on care and maintenance of AGM battery's.
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SidecarFlip |
Jan 15 2018, 06:32 PM
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#4
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
Actually, if your converter is working properly, the maintenance on a flooded cell (I have 2, Group 31's, is not much more than a twice yearly water check. and insuring the cableing is tight.
The only advantage to a sealed agm is no venting required but my battery box was already vented. Draw down is the same (no less than 50% total charge and charge rates are the same as well. Only advantage is no venting and no water checks, both of which are easy for me. If I was to go to a different battery, it would be a Lithium or Lithium/Iron Oxide battery. Half the weight of any conventional battery, ability to install anywhere, even up side down and the ability to discharge to almost no capacity remaining without damage. Problem is, they are very expensive, typically around 800 bucks for a Group 31 equal. If you have the wallet, a Lithium or Lithium/Iron oxide is the way to fly. If I was flush, I'd have a pair. |
fishinfool145 |
Feb 4 2018, 05:20 PM
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#5
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 24-August 17 Member No.: 9,721 Favorite Truck Camper(s): lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Dodge Type of Tiedowns used: happy jack Truck and Camper Setup: x |
AGM is a good idea. I use them in both my RVs and in my bass boat. However, most people end up with the Optima. Their deep-cycle is low on capacity and high on price.
I use the AGM from Cabelas or Bass pro. Both seem to be equal quality and I never have a problem with either. Both are available in large electrical capacity. The price is in the range of the Optima. On the wet cell side, the Trojan SC225 is the best for a deep cycle. Lithium... Never looked at them, probably can't afford them. I wonder if my chargers would work with them. Sidecar? |
SidecarFlip |
Feb 5 2018, 07:46 PM
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#6
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
QUOTE(fishinfool145 @ Feb 4 2018, 05:20 PM) AGM is a good idea. I use them in both my RVs and in my bass boat. However, most people end up with the Optima. Their deep-cycle is low on capacity and high on price. I use the AGM from Cabelas or Bass pro. Both seem to be equal quality and I never have a problem with either. Both are available in large electrical capacity. The price is in the range of the Optima. On the wet cell side, the Trojan SC225 is the best for a deep cycle. Lithium... Never looked at them, probably can't afford them. I wonder if my chargers would work with them. Sidecar? No and no. One, expensive and 2, requiire a specialized charger. Best Converter has the chargers but they are pricey too. Big advantage is weight (a group 31 equivalent weighs about 20 pounds versus 60 for a conventional) and you can put them anywhere, even up side down as there are no vents at all and discharge to 10% or even less without damage. Your typical AGM/flooded cell is no less than 50% or you risk plate damage. Downside is cost of the battery and the charger. Batteries are around 800 bucks each (Group 31). I never priced the charger, the battery alone scared me off. I can go through a bunch of 31 flooded cell batteries and not come close to 800 bucks. I too have been down the Optima road and I to have found it to be bumpy. I feel Optima batteries are over priced and under performing as well. I run a pair of Crown's now but will probably go to Trojans when these expire. Not sure when that will be. 3 years now and just fine. No solar with me. Just a small inverter and shore power when home. |
fishinfool145 |
Feb 5 2018, 11:06 PM
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#7
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 24-August 17 Member No.: 9,721 Favorite Truck Camper(s): lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Dodge Type of Tiedowns used: happy jack Truck and Camper Setup: x |
QUOTE(SidecarFlip @ Feb 5 2018, 04:46 PM) No and no. One, expensive and 2, requiire a specialized charger. Best Converter has the chargers but they are pricey too. Big advantage is weight (a group 31 equivalent weighs about 20 pounds versus 60 for a conventional) and you can put them anywhere, even up side down as there are no vents at all and discharge to 10% or even less without damage. Your typical AGM/flooded cell is no less than 50% or you risk plate damage. Downside is cost of the battery and the charger. Batteries are around 800 bucks each (Group 31). I never priced the charger, the battery alone scared me off. I can go through a bunch of 31 flooded cell batteries and not come close to 800 bucks. I too have been down the Optima road and I to have found it to be bumpy. I feel Optima batteries are over priced and under performing as well. I run a pair of Crown's now but will probably go to Trojans when these expire. Not sure when that will be. 3 years now and just fine. No solar with me. Just a small inverter and shore power when home. I don't know where you are buying your AGM batteries, but Cabelas size 30 (pretty much the same as 31) is currently $250, and they are often on sale. I didn't check bass pro. Mine were $190 last time I purchased. Weight is no advantage, these dudes are 65lbs. Only advantage that I can see is longevity, no gas venting and zero maintenance. You have a valid point about the charger, and one should check to ensure that their charger supports AGM. Both my RVs and boat do and I've been using AGM for so long, I forgot to consider that others may not. In both my boat and my RVs, the batteries are placed where it is very difficult to maintain the water level properly on a wet cell and I would destroy 4 wet cells for every one AGM I purchase. |
SidecarFlip |
Feb 11 2018, 05:23 PM
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#8
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
QUOTE(fishinfool145 @ Feb 5 2018, 11:06 PM) I don't know where you are buying your AGM batteries, but Cabelas size 30 (pretty much the same as 31) is currently $250, and they are often on sale. I didn't check bass pro. Mine were $190 last time I purchased. Weight is no advantage, these dudes are 65lbs. Only advantage that I can see is longevity, no gas venting and zero maintenance. You have a valid point about the charger, and one should check to ensure that their charger supports AGM. Both my RVs and boat do and I've been using AGM for so long, I forgot to consider that others may not. In both my boat and my RVs, the batteries are placed where it is very difficult to maintain the water level properly on a wet cell and I would destroy 4 wet cells for every one AGM I purchase. I get my AGM's at battery warehouse. The only reason a flooded cell uses water is it's being overcharged or rapid rate discharge. My Crown's are flooded cell and they use very little distilled water. They have to be topped off maybe 2 times a year.... maybe. The Crown's came from Battery Warehouse as well. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are insanely expensive no matter where you get them. Far as I know, there are only 3 manufacturers (builders) in the US. All the cells come from China (cheaper ones) and Japan (better ones) and are assembled here in arrays that equal the amp hour ratings of the batteries. |
daveren |
Jun 1 2023, 10:17 PM
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#9
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 6-January 11 Member No.: 5,149 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Bigfoot Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Chev 3500 Dually 4x4 Diesel Type of Tiedowns used: Fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: Nothing additional. |
I payed the big-bucks for Lithium and am pretty happy. I figure it cost me about an extra $500 CDN going from 2 big heavy Trojans to one light Lithium at half the rated capacity and a updated solar charger. Because the Lithium rides at a higher voltage (and stays there) and charges quicker, it has worked out just as well having the lower capacity. The $500 is about 5 fuel fills for me to put things in perspective ..... its worth it.
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