BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Tom Webber on November 01, 2019, 06:40:58 AM
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I have a 2006 Monterey. Would like to switch house batteries to AGM any recommendations for brand. Are there any special things that have to be done when installing AGM batteries?
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I researched the same notion a couple of months ago, and zeroed in on Interstates from one of their local corporate outlets, and the Batteries + Bulbs offering... either MagnaPower or Duracell, I don’t recall; seems to vary by store. I wrote down the pricing somewhere not handy at this moment, but AGM GC2’s are 2-3 times the cost of, say Costco’s Interstate wet cells. I have yet to bite the bullet, but am still leaning toward the $95 wet cells.
Your inverter (Magnum?) needs to be adjusted, via the overdoorway remote panel, to AGM charging configuration. Otherwise it will occasionally run an equalizing charge cycle meant for wet cells. That’s unnecessary and (arguably) hard on AGM’s.
Joel
Addendum: see our discussion here that includes the quotes I got, http://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,9278.msg63533.html#msg63533
Current Batteries+ deal after 10% discount, 190ah. ~$258. https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sliagc2
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Tom,
I switched to Lifeline GPL-4CT AGM in September 2010. Price was $1068 back then. Still going strong. I rarely dry dock so they don’t get much use, just sitting back there occupying space but I don’t have to spend time cleaning corrosion and servicing water. Just wash them occasionally. For $118 a Year I will do it again as I don’t enjoy working in the battery bay at age 76.
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My 06 Patriot Thunder came with Lifetime AGM batteries, I replace the chassic batteries two years ago with new Lifetime AGM starter batteries, free shipping and great price. Once installed you are done, no more cleaning no more acid to eat up all the metal, no more adding water, no more nothing.
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To stop corrosion, Marty taught me hose down the entire battery bay when you're washing the rig. At first I thought that to be a bad idea because "there is electricity in there". Apparently 12 volt DC doesn't mind getting a shower once in a while.
For wet cell service, get a "Flow-Rite" system. It is so easy and quick, you'll never put it off.
Between hosing them down and easy Flow-Rite service, you'll never feel a need to spend the money for AGMs.
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I just ordered (4) Crown 6CRV220 AGMs. $914 Delivered from high-tech battery. Made in the USA.
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I’m watching this thread with some interest as I have a bit of a dilemma. When I bought my coach in 2012 the large AGM 4D house batteries (4 of them) made by Lifeline, were ok but starting to show weakness. So in 2014 before going on a trip where I knew I needed to have good batteries at times, I replaced them with batteries sold by a local solar company. They are Chinese made, and although specs were good, I have 2 failing already. So I’m looking to replace them.
If I go back to Lifeline 4D AGM, prices are in the ~$700/each. Other manufactures maybe in the ~$550 range - a lot of $ for batteries which I hardly use/need. I do have a residential fridge, but the coach is always plugged in and/or the genset is used or the alternator keeps them ok while driving.
So I am thinking of changing them out and replacing them with 4 (or maybe more) 6v AGMs. I know there is some rewiring involved as the the big 4Ds are 12v but a group of 6v will give similar reserve and are more manageable and less costly.
If I went to batteries like Chuck ordered, I likely would be ok and for much less outlay.
I guess the point is the batteries I bought that looked good, have started to fail. Caveat emptor. Interestingly I had changed out the Lifeline chassis batteries in 2013 and replaced them with a Cat equivalent AGM and they are still good.
Appreciate any thoughts.
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We all have a battery story or two; now if only lithium battery prices would fall to the realm of the masses......
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Jeff, 6- 6volt AGM would be excellent for your requirements. You would have to make some 2/0 cables to make 3 sets in series and then parallel the 12volt batteries together. A lot less than $2700.00 Fred
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We all have a battery story or two; now if only lithium battery prices would fall to the realm of the masses......
Yup. But even if the price came down, the necessary inverter and solar charger modifications add substantially to the cost.
Joel
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I currently have 4ea interstate golf cart 6Volt wet cell batteries in my 2006 beaver Monterey that need to be replaced. The lifeline GPL-4ct AGM look like a good replacement. But I am concerned about 2 areas; 1. are they the same size and weight of my current 6Volt Batteries ?, 2. My starter batteries are not AGM, will i also have to switch them to AGM? I assume the converter will also need to be reprogrammed. thanks Grant
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Grant, they are the same dimensions. I would change the chassis batteries also because you have a mis-match when on shore power. I believe you have a "BIRD" system which latches onto the chassis batteries to keep them charged. Fred
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Jeff, 6- 6volt AGM would be excellent for your requirements. You would have to make some 2/0 cables to make 3 sets in series and then parallel the 12volt batteries together. A lot less than $2700.00 Fred
Fred,
Thanks for the recommendation. I likely will do something like that when I get to Texas in January - seems prices (including shipping) and selection are much better than here in the frozen north. Also, there always seems to be some other person looking to help, I.e. something to do, in the park.
With the magnum inverter I shouldn’t have any problem. I may just have to adjust the amp hours it’s trying to charge depending upon the number of batteries I install. Lots of room and two 6v batteries are nearly identical in dimensions to one 4D.
Jeff
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Thanks Jeff, Glad to hear you have the Magnum Inverter/Charger. Nearly bullet-proof piece of equipment. Just a few changes in the "Set-up" menu and your smiling! Give me a call at 520-309-1260 if you have any questions. Blessings, Fred
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Jeff, Thanks, not sure what a bird system is ? but I believe I have a magnum converter and a solar panel system. Can you recommend a place where I can get the Batteries? There are a couple of Interstate Battery dealers near me.
thanks
Grant
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Consider Batteries Plus for AGM’s if there’s one near you, Grant. 10% off for ordering online and delivery at a store ~$258@ now. https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sliagc2#close
Your BIRD (Bidirectional Isolator Relay Delay) is on the inside of the door of the Big Boy and fuse access port between your Main Switches in your battery bay. It controls which set of batteries receive charging current depending on their state of charge and charging source.
Joel
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Thanks, Joel, yes i have several dealers near me. I will have to also get 2 AGM starter Batteries.
Grant
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OK, I switched all the batteries to AGM, made up all new wires, cleaned the battery box, and changed the charger to AGM 1 setting. Did I miss anything? are there any other settings I need to change ? I have the charger set to standby.
Thanks
Grant
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Make sure the AGM 1 setting coincides with the battery mfr recommended setting. I bought the Crown AGM batteries and neither AGM (1 or 2) settings are exactly what Crown recommends so I have to use the custom settings. Even the Lifeline settings have changed since my controller was built. You also may need to increase your absorption time for the AGMs.
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I am not sure what to look for? I purchased them from Battery Plus . Where would i find this information. is it the AH rating ?. I purchased 4ea -6 volt Magna power AGM batteries, and 2ea X-power 27 group AGM batteries.
How can I find the absorption rate, and what AGM 1 or 2 means on my monitor?
Thanks
Grant
I just invested a considerable amount of money and don't want to end up ruining these batteries.
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I'm guessing you have the Magnum ME-RC remote controller like me? If so, here is a link to the manual....
https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/sites/default/files/manuals/owners/64-0003-Rev-G-ME-RC_Web.pdf
In the manual, it will tell you what the absorption (this is also the Bulk), and float voltages are for AGM 1 and 2. Then see if you can get the specs for charge rates and times from Battery Plus. They should have them or at least be able to tell you where to go to get them. The settings are for the 6v house batteries only. The chassis batteries are probably not deep cycle and are charged most often by the alternator after each start and you cannot control this.
If the mfr specs are not in line with the AGM 1 or 2 setting you will need to go with the custom settings. As with all the setting in the remote, they (most) are pretty straight forward and easy to set.
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Grant, what is the amp hour rating on the label of the 6 volt batteries you purchased and the model of the Inverter/converter and the model on the remote display panel. Fred
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Fred, the 6Volts have a 190AH at 20hr rate. The converter is a Magnum MS2012, and the controller is a ME-RC50.
Thanks
Grant
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You need to reset the dip switches on your solar controller on the left wall of the waste tank bay.
Switches 1 and 4 should be up, and 2 and 3 down for glass mat batteries. The mode switch should be to the right, on “FL” (float). That is for automatic float. The EQ position equalize auto-charges wet cell batteries, and glass mats aren’t designed for nor need that strong an electrical hit.
For further reference see the 2006 owners manual in the Coach Assist part of the Private BAC Members Only section of the Forum, page 230. https://beaveramb.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2006_Monterey-Manual.pdf
Joel
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Joel, Thanks, I will change the solar panel in the morning.
Grant
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Grant, I am pretty sure your Crown batteries fall under the heading of agm-2 type batteries. Your 4- 6volt batteries, 2 in series and 2 in parallel equal 380 amp hour capacity. 380AH equals 1.5 hours of absorb time. In set-up menu, scroll thru and select agm-2 (push the knob to select and you get an "arrow" next to your choice to verify choice). Scroll again until you find "amp hour capacity" and select 380ah or the next closest choice and select it. Fred
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Fred, Thanks, I will make the changes tomorrow.
Grant