AGM 12V Battery Recomendations

[Vedette]

Great research Sharon!
Those guys in the market for a fridge will like this information.
Thanks!!!!
Brian

[roamer]

I have an older small Norcold fridge in my Landcruiser. Similar to an Engel or ARB. I can run it continuously for our tent camping trips and have never had a low battery or even a slow cranking. I highly recommend one, way better than trying to use a home style fridge or coolers!

[Vedette]

Okay....went to the local Interstate dealer today.
Got some interesting facts????
AGM batteries cost twice as much, last one third as long, weigh 25 percent more, have about 15 percent less Amp hours, and are larger in physical size!!!!
Could not find "one" positive reason to spend $300.00??
So Miss Piggy and Kermit will share a Flooded Deep Cycle Battery for now!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[noseoil]

Brian, not sure where you were looking, but I'm not seeing this type of result in my looks online. The AGM batteries do cost more, but it sounds like you got a "salesman" and not someone who knows the technology & systems in general. It sounds like you're getting frustrated with your search, so here's my take on things based on what you've found. (Note: IMHO, the typical salesman is a cross between a used car salesman & Hannibal Lecter, from Silence of the Lambs. After the sale you take the money, eat the customer's liver & have no remorse).

Two of the biggest problems people have with any electrical system is with the initial design & ongoing maintenance issues. Many people don't check fluid levels in a flooded battery. They don't monitor state of charge & leave the battery to sit for too long. They won't check cable ends for corrosion or look at things regularly to make sure things are still good. This makes for a short battery life, so the battery gets blamed for the problem. Shoot the messenger.

Again, just in my opinion, the initial design should include these things to work properly:

1 - Good battery location for service, maintenance, & replacement when necessary. If the battery is buried in the design, it's too hard to check & service.
2 - Loads on the battery are properly calculated for duration & a reserve capacity is built into the system. Not discharging the battery too deeply or too often will give the battery a much longer life.
3 - Charging rate should keep up with the loads, so the battery isn't cycled too deeply each time or allowed to stay discharged for long periods of time.

The best battery in the world will not last in a badly designed system. A cheap battery which is used in a well balanced system will last a long time, good bang for the bucks. A very good battery used in a very well designed system will last a long time. Just my $.02 worth.

[Loren]

Noseoil:
Very well said!
I went with an AGM because I had venting, sloshing and access issues. Other than cost, I had no problem finding what I wanted- just told the local guy what size and capacity I needed. One thing to note: Since the Canadien lack of pennies, you need to give Brian at least 5 cents worth of advice.
Loren

[booyah]

Noiseoil hit it.

In solar configs, AGM have a big benefit in how they can be positioned and how they dont gas out. They are the best of the "Maintenance Free" batteries out there. AGM batteries will also accept a higher ROC (Rate of Charge) and can discharge faster without as negative of an effect.

Proper maintenance on a flooded battery and it will last longer, but most poeple dont properly maintain them. (myself arguably included as I dont recall the last time I checked the fluid level)

[martymcfly]

one other advantage is durability. I once dropped a yellow top optima and broke the bottom corner. I glued it back together with JB weld and used it a few more years. If it would have been a flooded battery, it would have been game over. Also they can be mounted any way you want, sideways, upside down, doesn't matter.

[Vedette]

Thanks guys!
But, today I had to make a decision and move forward. so I built a battery box to fit my battery
It has a fully vented bottom and a completely sealed top (sealed from our cabin).
The only negative to my choice, is that if is in a real PITA location.....but it will work!
I will be adding a "shut off switch" in case I need to disconnect the power in a hurry, as it will take to long to remove the sealed lid.
Thanks again for all of the input.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[noseoil]

Brian, a good decision for your build! In the end, it's up to everyone to make a choice for cost, location, system design & use.

Sometimes the $__t just gets too deep to wade through, along with too many opinions to make it even worse.

As long as the battery is sealed from the living space, it's all good. It's not like the battery has to deal with a heat condition under the hood & constant baking in the summer. Hopefully, fluid levels can be checked once or twice a year & a small solar panel or a trickle charger will keep it topped off & ready for the next trip.

[Vedette]

That is exactly how I got my brain to work around this!
Brian