I need to replace the batteries in the MH. I'm currently running 4x12v for a 24v system (truck is also 24v) for water, lights (including truck lights), various power points and fridge. Heater/AirCon, microwave and various other power points run on 240 via mains outlet. I also have a 3000w inverter (rarely used). The MH is used on an irregular basis, sometimes for a few weeks and sometimes only for a few days with large time frames between (apart from 'weekly run up'). Not going solar for a few years yet. Are most of you using deep cycle or standard truck for this type of 'as hoc' use?
Aus-Kiwi said
04:24 AM Nov 7, 2013
Deep cycle here for fridge. TV etc.. My old MH had 4 X 6 volt batteries,, New one has 2X 12v .. The 4X6 volt had way greater storage, used 12v off them..
Deep cycle can handle the long term use while car batteries are more for instant use like starting motor.. They don't like being discharged as much as storage battery..
Keith19837 said
05:31 AM Nov 7, 2013
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Deep cycle here for fridge. TV etc.. My old MH had 4 X 6 volt batteries,, New one has 2X 12v .. The 4X6 volt had way greater storage, used 12v off them.. Deep cycle can handle the long term use while car batteries are more for instant use like starting motor.. They don't like being discharged as much as storage battery..
Thanks AusKiwi. So maybe deep cycle for the 'house' use and truck batteries for the truck. I have a 'change over' switch which allows me to divert power from the 'house' to the truck. Do you think these will 'mix' when I do this or would I be better off using the deep cycle all around? I know this is asking a lot but I'm trying to get a feel here as I've never had a 4x12v running 24v before. My boat uses single deep connected to small solar panel.
oldbobsbus said
03:12 PM Nov 7, 2013
HD lead acid batteries are best for starting as they have a better ability to discharge Amps for better starting whereas AGMs are better for house as they have a better capacity to store power and they don't give off gas so can be located in enclosed spaces ..
Keith19837 said
04:03 PM Nov 7, 2013
oldbobsbus wrote:
HD lead acid batteries are best for starting as they have a better ability to discharge Amps for better starting whereas AGMs are better for house as they have a better capacity to store power and they don't give off gas so can be located in enclosed spaces ..
Thanks Bob. I'm trying to watch the pennies at the moment, so if I mix and match this should help.
oldbobsbus said
04:33 PM Nov 7, 2013
Keith19837 wrote:
Thanks Bob. I'm trying to watch the pennies at the moment, so if I mix and match this should help.
Mixing batteries can have it's problems, batteries are like a piece of chain and are only as good as their weakest link..
If you are having problems with your start batteries then you can sometimes get away with just replacing the one that is the weakest but with any deep cycle like AGM's they need to be all the same so they all take equal charge, if you have one that has high resistance it will stop the others from charging as well.
Keith19837 said
04:45 PM Nov 7, 2013
Sorry Bob, I misunderstood you. I thought you were suggesting HD for the truck and AGM for the house.
oldbobsbus said
05:52 PM Nov 7, 2013
Keith19837 wrote:
Sorry Bob, I misunderstood you. I thought you were suggesting HD for the truck and AGM for the house.
I was definitely saying that you should be using HD for the truck and AGMs for the house...
HD batteries are a little more forgiving than deep cycle but the general rules still apply..
If it is only one of your truck batteries that is letting you down then you may get away with just replacing it
BUT
If it's you house batteries that are giving trouble then you should consider replacing all of them..
You can expect a much longer life out of AGMs than you would get from HDs
Anything over 3 yrs from Heavy Duty batteries is bonus..
Whereas you would be hoping for atleast 10yrs from your Absorbent Glass Mat batteries.
PeterD said
06:57 PM Nov 7, 2013
Bob, what do you mean by HD? If you are talking heavy duty then that has many meanings when talking about batteries.
oldbobsbus said
07:53 PM Nov 7, 2013
PeterD wrote:
Bob, what do you mean by HD? If you are talking heavy duty then that has many meanings when talking about batteries.
Just for you PeterD,
Heave Duty Lead Acid as I mentioned in an earlier post..
Keith19837 said
04:03 AM Nov 8, 2013
Thaks Bob, I think I'm with you now.
Wirroff said
04:24 PM Nov 11, 2013
So, AGM batteries are better for the 'house' batteries? (We currently have 2 x 100a/h 'flooded' type batteries which, according to much more learned folk on here, are past their best.....
brian said
05:51 PM Nov 11, 2013
Wirroff wrote:
So, AGM batteries are better for the 'house' batteries? (We currently have 2 x 100a/h 'flooded' type batteries which, according to much more learned folk on here, are past their best.....
I personally prefer and use flooded batteries as they are more forgiving of overcharge and discharge treatment, and you can test the specific gravity for a true indication of their state.
They are cheaper per amp hour than AGMs by close to 50%.
They do need more attention in the form of watering, but this is no drama, I water mine about once every 3 months, and provided you have the correct charging regime, they should require no more than that.
With reasonable treatment they will generally outlive AGMs, but will not take rough road treatment as well as AGMs, but it needs to be pretty rough to bother them.
AGMs have a lower self discharge rate and a higher charge acceptance.
For most RVers, AGMs are less hassle, and for that reason, they are more popular, so if you want an easy way out, albeit a bit dearer, then they are the way to go.
Another option may be to consider going to LifePo4 batteries. They are about half the weight of AGMs for the same capacity, charge even faster than AGMs, hold their terminal voltage far longer, are capable of very high discharge rates, and the PL20 will easily handle their charge parameters, although you may need to reconsider the mains charger that you get.
LifePo4 will be my next set if ever these floodeds die, and provided something even better doesn't appear in the meantime..
I need to replace the batteries in the MH. I'm currently running 4x12v for a 24v system (truck is also 24v) for water, lights (including truck lights), various power points and fridge. Heater/AirCon, microwave and various other power points run on 240 via mains outlet. I also have a 3000w inverter (rarely used). The MH is used on an irregular basis, sometimes for a few weeks and sometimes only for a few days with large time frames between (apart from 'weekly run up'). Not going solar for a few years yet. Are most of you using deep cycle or standard truck for this type of 'as hoc' use?
Deep cycle can handle the long term use while car batteries are more for instant use like starting motor.. They don't like being discharged as much as storage battery..
Thanks AusKiwi. So maybe deep cycle for the 'house' use and truck batteries for the truck. I have a 'change over' switch which allows me to divert power from the 'house' to the truck. Do you think these will 'mix' when I do this or would I be better off using the deep cycle all around? I know this is asking a lot but I'm trying to get a feel here as I've never had a 4x12v running 24v before. My boat uses single deep connected to small solar panel.
Thanks Bob. I'm trying to watch the pennies at the moment, so if I mix and match this should help.
Mixing batteries can have it's problems, batteries are like a piece of chain and are only as good as their weakest link..
If you are having problems with your start batteries then you can sometimes get away with just replacing the one that is the weakest but with any deep cycle like AGM's they need to be all the same so they all take equal charge, if you have one that has high resistance it will stop the others from charging as well.
Sorry Bob, I misunderstood you. I thought you were suggesting HD for the truck and AGM for the house.
I was definitely saying that you should be using HD for the truck and AGMs for the house...
HD batteries are a little more forgiving than deep cycle but the general rules still apply..
If it is only one of your truck batteries that is letting you down then you may get away with just replacing it
BUT
If it's you house batteries that are giving trouble then you should consider replacing all of them..
You can expect a much longer life out of AGMs than you would get from HDs
Anything over 3 yrs from Heavy Duty batteries is bonus..
Whereas you would be hoping for atleast 10yrs from your Absorbent Glass Mat batteries.
Just for you PeterD,
Heave Duty Lead Acid as I mentioned in an earlier post..
Thaks Bob, I think I'm with you now.
I personally prefer and use flooded batteries as they are more forgiving of overcharge and discharge treatment, and you can test the specific gravity for a true indication of their state.
They are cheaper per amp hour than AGMs by close to 50%.
They do need more attention in the form of watering, but this is no drama, I water mine about once every 3 months, and provided you have the correct charging regime, they should require no more than that.
With reasonable treatment they will generally outlive AGMs, but will not take rough road treatment as well as AGMs, but it needs to be pretty rough to bother them.
AGMs have a lower self discharge rate and a higher charge acceptance.
For most RVers, AGMs are less hassle, and for that reason, they are more popular, so if you want an easy way out, albeit a bit dearer, then they are the way to go.
Another option may be to consider going to LifePo4 batteries. They are about half the weight of AGMs for the same capacity, charge even faster than AGMs, hold their terminal voltage far longer, are capable of very high discharge rates, and the PL20 will easily handle their charge parameters, although you may need to reconsider the mains charger that you get.
LifePo4 will be my next set if ever these floodeds die, and provided something even better doesn't appear in the meantime..