new battery advice

[drjjj]

Time to replace the battery. Have a 2007 3400RL. Will be using the trailer more frequently after the first of the year, but don't anticipate any dry camping. I have been a fan of Interstate Batteries over the years, and am considering some type of sealed cell battery. Pros and cons of a sealed type battery (other than increased cost)? Recommendations? When the trailer is in storage we do not have shore power but I will have a solar trickle charger attached. Thanks for any and all advice.

[1retired06]

If you are not doing dry camping and will have electric available, a good quality standard battery should suffice.

[Golfmedik]

I would go with Group 27 Marine/RV batteries as they have more reserve than the 24s. I would also put two of them in and wire them together. JMO

[rohrmann]

We have the RV/Marine type maintenance free batteries, originally two group 24, and now have two group 27. Never have to add water, very reliable, and when needed, can dry camp over night with no problems.

[JABURKHOLDER]

Sold both types for 20 years.

The only real advantage to an AGM battery is that you can mount it in any position. (upside down if you want)

They cost more. (at least 1.5 times more) The warranty is no better. The power is no better.

A good quality RV/Marine deep cycle lead acid battery is a better choice. IMHO

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by JABURKHOLDER

...The only real advantage to an AGM battery is that you can mount it in any position. (upside down if you want)...

Going to have to disagree with the above comment.

AGM batteries main advantages are no maintenance, completely sealed against fumes, Hydrogen, or leakage, non-spilling even if they are broken, can be installed at any angle, and can survive most freezes.

The following is from "Battery University:"

Learn what differentiate AGM from other lead acid battery types

AGM technology became popular in the early 1980s as a sealed lead acid battery for military aircraft, vehicles and UPS to reduce weight and improve reliability. The sulfuric acid is absorbed by a very fine fiberglass mat, making the battery spill-proof. This enables shipment without hazardous material restrictions. The plates can be made flat to resemble a standard flooded lead acid pack in a rectangular case; they can also be wound into a cylindrical cell.

AGM has very low internal resistance, is capable to deliver high currents on demand and offers a relatively long service life, even when deep cycled. AGM is maintenance free, provides good electrical reliability and is lighter than the flooded lead acid type. While regular lead acid batteries need a topping charge every six months to prevent the buildup of sulfation, AGM batteries are less prone to sulfation and can sit in storage for longer before a charge becomes necessary. The battery stands up well to low temperatures and has a low self-discharge.

The leading advantages of AGM are a charge that is up to five times faster than the flooded version, and the ability to deep cycle. AGM offers a depth-of-discharge of 80 percent; the flooded, on the other hand, is specified at 50 percent DoD to attain the same cycle life. The negatives are slightly lower specific energy and higher manufacturing costs than the flooded.

Most AGM batteries are mid-sized and range from 30 to 100Ah. They are commonly built to size and are found in high-end vehicles to run power-hungry accessories such as heated seats, steering wheels, mirrors and windshields. NASCAR and other auto racing leagues choose AGM products because they are vibration resistant.

AGM is the preferred battery for upscale motorcycles. Being sealed, AGM reduces acid spilling in an accident, lowers the weight for the same performance and allows installation at odd angles. Because of good performance at cold temperatures, AGM batteries are also used for marine, motor home and robotic applications.

AGM is making inroads into the start-stop function of cars. The classic flooded type is simply not robust enough and repeated cycling causes a sharp capacity fade after only two years of use.

[BB_TX]

We do not dry camp either so only one battery. I just took the old OEM battery to NAPA and told them I wanted their equivalent. I am still on that first replacement battery on my 2007. Don't remember how many years ago that was.

[Goin 4 Broke]

AGM. Can totally eliminate the "vent hood and hose". More room in the forward compartment, less worry about fumes, water and maintenance.

[jcurtis934]

I seem to remember a ms being sensitive to charge voltage above 14.5vdc and our converters if left in auto mode will raise voltage well in the 15+ range when it does a de-sulf cycle. Isn't that a battery killer if this function is not disabled? John

[JABURKHOLDER]

To TLightning...all valid points. My response was a condensed statement based on my 20 years of selling, servicing and installing all types of batteries. In real world, everyday people vehicle applications, I saw no performance improvement or service life improvement for AGM's over wet batteries.
Just my 20 years humble opinion.

[jcurtis934]

I seemed to remember another old charger going above 15vdc as the progressive dynamics docs say 14.4vdc every 21 hours to do the de-sulf thing. Sorry. But I did go to an interesting site that sells many brands of agm deep cycle batteries (batterystuff.com) like lifeline and trojan that caught my eye. The trojan verbage said no special chargers needed for their deep cycle agm's and to call if uncertain about your charger. Their price for trojan 12v 76ah was $217+...so $440 for two to get 150ah. And if you wanted to equal or exceed 2 trojan 6vdc 220ah for 12vc at roughly $350, then four of the agms would equal 300ah...but cost would be almost 900. That's what the cost difference is to go away from a good high ah wet to high amp agm without worry of new charger. John

[kdeiss]

quote:Originally posted by JABURKHOLDER

To TLightning...all valid points. My response was a condensed statement based on my 20 years of selling, servicing and installing all types of batteries. In real world, everyday people vehicle applications, I saw no performance improvement or service life improvement for AGM's over wet batteries.
Just my 20 years humble opinion.

I totally agree

[kdeiss]

I am a Fan of Deka Marine Master Battery

Group 27 DC 12 27
Group 31 DC 12 31 You may have to modify your Battery Box this is a brute of a Battery and will do the job for most Rvers Check out their Web Site

[TLightning]

Try those AGMs...you'll like them. Sure they are expensive, but they are truly install and forget about them. You get what you pay for.

[Wicked1]

Originally Posted by TLightning

Try those AGMs...you'll like them. Sure they are expensive, but they are truly install and forget about them. You get what you pay for.

So next question what would be the best AGM to buy I need two for my new Montana with Hydraulic Auto Leveling but I have an RV refer not a residential refer?

[Dam Worker]

If the AGM was a bit cheaper and more available I would have went that route when I replaced my pathetic single 12 volt battery that the dealer put in. I went with Trojan brand as I have had way better success with them over a standard interstate. As for the AGM if I remember correctly you can take it down way lower in voltage than a regular lead acid battery with out damage. Probably more beneficial for people camping without hookups.

Tom Marty

[coachgrowl]

I have 2 each of the Battle born lithium ion lifepo4 $949 each. The are the best battery I could find. No fumes can be run down to zero and will come back 100%. I had 2 interstate from the dealer and they were constantly going to zero. Finally installed disconnect switch in battery compartment I was unaware that there was always a draw without this switch.

[timandsusan]

We do not dry camp but I do have 2 batteries hooked up in parallel. They are plain jane add water types RV/Marine batteries. Works for us and I don't mind changing them if needed. Yes, I use the battery disconnect switch when ever we are in storage.

[Dave W]

The dealer put a Gr 24 Interstate in our then new 5er.. It wouldn't complete a disconnect and set up. I replaced it with a Gr 31 and haven't looked back. The one negative - it is HEAVY and totally fills the battery box. When a new one is needed, I may consider an AGM, but not an Optima now that Johnson Controls seem to have done some, IMHO, quality or cost reductions

Make sure you look at reviews of the later Interstates. Some folks seem to think they are not holding up as well as years past but that is not from my experience - yet

[mlh]

All new Ford vehicles with auto start stop come with AMG battery’s. Standard lead acid battery’s just wont hold up to starting a vehicle as the times as it takes with start stop. Almost all vehicles will have start stop in a few years.
Lynwood