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11-30-2014, 06:27 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
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Battery experts please help!
Battery Experts! Help!
Last month I went from 12 volt to two six volt AGM batteries wired in tandem. Here in lies the problem. After full charge and minimum use, my gauge goes down and reads 1 Bar. Yet I can still run 12 volt TV and lights for hours. Did the switch from 12 to 6 volt batteries effect the battery monitor? It's all original factory converter ( 90 Amp )charger offered in 2012 Montana 3750. Previously when monitor went to one bar, I was running on fumes. Note: during charging the monitor reads charging and four bars after shore power or generator is turned off! Please advise, thank you.
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12-01-2014, 12:47 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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I would suggest you get a real battery monitor. I would also suggest you look into the charging requirements of AGM batteries. Flooded batteries and AGM batteries usually require different charging strategies.
You wired them in tandem??? they should be in series.
http://www.bogartengineering.com/products/TriMetric
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a..._glass_mat_agm
Jim
__________________
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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12-01-2014, 04:20 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I tried AGM batteries with my original converter/charger and it wouldn't charge them correctly. Of course I have an older rig so my experience could be different. Had to wait till I went solar and dropped the original converter altogether before I could go AGM.
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Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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12-01-2014, 07:51 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,677
M.O.C. #12947
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At the Fall Rally, I believe I heard the fellow from Progressive Dynamics say that the current systems being installed, (which is what were installed in 2012 units), were capable of maintaining standard flooded cell and AGM batteries. The Gel type batteries needed a modified charger system. As long as you have 6 volt batteries in SERIES, (not tandem, wrong terminology), or 12 volt batteries in PARALLEL, you should be OK. You might want to check the reverse polarity fuses, that they are all good, just in case you blew a fuse when installing the new batteries. You could also call Progressive Dynamics customer service for help 269-781-4241.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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12-01-2014, 09:24 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
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I meant series, wrong words! Thanks everyone.
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12-01-2014, 09:50 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Livingston
Posts: 1,150
M.O.C. #12333
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You need to get the scoop on your AGM's and what they take to charge. There are specific charging requirements including time in Bulk, Absorb and Float charging in order for your batteries to get fully charged and stay charged above 50%. Jim is spot on with a good monitor so you know when you batteries are getting taxed near 50%. If you never get your batteries fully charged and are constantly running them down to 50% or worse, the converter will not be enough to keep them charged. That converter is always going to be running trying to catch the batteries up.
AGM's need a good Equalization charge after about 20 to 30 discharges depending on the make and the converter will not do that.
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Les and Sue Young, 2009 Int 4400 LP, 2020 DRV Mobile Suites [/url] https://ramblingrvrat.blogspot.com/2019/11/freedom-from-grid-rambling-rv-rats.html[/url]
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12-01-2014, 05:47 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
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I am going to find help locally. You guys are great! I love the MOC. Thanks! When your over your head, you seek out help!!! I have to share. I have an "Interstate" battery store 1/2 mile from home. They gave me "zero" info! I got more in last two days from MOC, then I got in two week! Heart felt thank you !
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12-02-2014, 03:23 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Art, You might not know it, but the level-up control panel has a battery voltage reading function. You might monitor that and see what your actual voltages are. The bars, unless you know what voltage each bars represent, are useless.
Also, your converter, if like mine, has a mode button on the ckt board. When you open the plastic door that hides the fuses and ckt breakers there will be a led that will indicate what mode the converter is charging in. You can manually place the converter in different charge modes. Yours may be stuck in float? which will not charge a AGM
Just a thought.
Jim
__________________
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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12-02-2014, 11:19 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hanover
Posts: 1,471
M.O.C. #13325
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First off, go to your battery manufacturer's web site and look up what THEY say charging voltages & current should be. Second, get a Triminic battery monitor with shunt and install it to see what kind of voltage your converter is putting into your batteries AT THE BATTERIES. The big issue with converters is that they are designed to not overcharge anything, and that means they usually don't put out enough voltage to really charge in the first place. While I like Progressive, I wouldn't just go by what some sales rep says for any product of any company.
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12-02-2014, 12:39 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DQDick
I tried AGM batteries with my original converter/charger and it wouldn't charge them correctly. Of course I have an older rig so my experience could be different. Had to wait till I went solar and dropped the original converter altogether before I could go AGM.
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It takes a special converter/charger or inverter/charger for AGM batteries. The OEM converter/chargers in Montanas will not work.
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