Sealed vs open batteries

jk_and_dog · 11-05-2008, 04:04 AM

I've been having some charging issues with my house batteries over the last few months. I am thinking about going to sealed batteries in stead of the open cells. I don't know what issues to expect from the closed or evenif they are better or worst for the coach bats.

Any suggestions will help.

jk_and_dog · 11-05-2008, 04:04 AM

I've been having some charging issues with my house batteries over the last few months. I am thinking about going to sealed batteries in stead of the open cells. I don't know what issues to expect from the closed or evenif they are better or worst for the coach bats.

Any suggestions will help.

doc · 11-05-2008, 04:29 AM

We used the small sealed batteries in the mobility scooters my wife needs to get around. If the full size batteries for a MH cost proportionally, expect to pay a mint!

FrontRangeRVer · 11-05-2008, 07:18 AM

If you are talking about AGM batteries vs Lead Acid batteries, AGM batteries are heads and heals better and longer lasting than the Lead Acid type....you also get what you pay for.

smlranger · 11-05-2008, 08:05 AM

If you mean you want truly 'maintenance free' batteries, agree that AGM is the way to go. Expensive, for sure, but never have to worry about electrolyte level.

Your other option would be something like the Delco Voyager batteries...lead acid but advertised as 'maintenance free.' I used them in my boats for years and they were less trouble than conventional batteries, but cost more and lasted no longer.

I struggled with this issue when I needed to replace my three deep cycle house batteries 2 yrs. ago. I ended up with 3 29M Interstates and added the Qwik Fill system. That makes it very easy to maintain electrolyte levels.

BryanL · 11-05-2008, 09:08 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">having some charging issues with my house batteries </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
fix this first. Any battery will not provide optimum service unless you have proper charging and maintenance for it.

SargeW · 11-05-2008, 01:55 PM

I disagree that AGM is the way to go. Easier, sure. But more sensitive to charging than wet cell batteries. I will be changing soon, most likely to 6 volt golf cart batteries. These batteries are much tougher than most any 12 Volts that are out there. The 6 volts are designed to take a deep discharge and come back strong time after time. That is where your reliability comes from.

Anything sealed will always be a guess as to it's heath.

Just my .02

Sarge

autofish · 11-05-2008, 03:51 PM

I agree Sarge we went through 2 sets of 3 12v in 3 years before switching to 4 6v deep cycle. They are now 5 years old and still test fine. They also only need cleaning twice year and watered every 3-4 mo. hope to get another 2-3 years out of then time will tell anyway will surly use 6v deep cycle again.

John_Canfield · 11-06-2008, 03:56 AM

We had gel batteries on our sailboat and they tolerated lots of charge abuse and discharge abuse. Three stage charging was accomplished by me manually adjusting the alternator field current (via a rheostat) to pump as much current as possible into the batteries (an 8D and two 4Ds) in as short a period of time as possible. We would be sometimes running on the diesel for 24 hours at a time, or at anchor for two weeks at a time - so charge-discharge cycles were all over the map.

Our AGMs (three for the house bank on the coach) are going strong after three full years of hard use. Maintenance consists of me blowing the dirt/dust off once in a while. AGMs have a lower internal resistance which means they self-discharge slower, and charge faster than non-AGM.

Nothing wrong with quality (Rolls, Surrette) flooded cell batteries for deep-cycle use - I just don't want the hassle of checking the water.

SargeW · 11-06-2008, 06:13 AM

Understandable. However, I constantly "tinker" with everything, so to me it's not a hassle. I usually will find little things that need attention by regular poking and prodding. And as a full timer it keeps me on top of maintenance.

jdsr · 11-06-2008, 08:01 AM

I may be wrong but did I read that gel or agm wont work with our converters?

BryanL · 11-06-2008, 10:06 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">6 volt golf cart batteries. These batteries are much tougher than most any 12 Volts that are out there. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
despite the testimonial, neither the available data nor the spec sheets I have been able to find support this idea. It is a common and dearly held viewpoint, though.

Do note such things as that there is no solid rational definition for "deep cycle" quality that you can find reflected in a spec sheet and that your RV is not a golf cart.

Also, no RV suitable lead acid battery should be 'deep discharged' (i.e. < 50% SoC) if long life is desired. What kills batteries is misuse and improper storage maintenance.

Gel batteries are rather sensitive, especially to higher currents. AGM batteries are good when you need to handle large currents. These are not usually cost effective from a purely rational perspective.

John_Canfield · 11-06-2008, 12:48 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jdsr:
I may be wrong but did I read that gel or agm wont work with our converters? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Depends on your charger - what does your manual say?

Robert Rice · 11-07-2008, 03:30 AM

What would be the best (cheapest) source for AGM batteries?

Olive · 11-07-2008, 06:14 AM

This year at GNR the Dimensions inverter rep said do NOT use AGM/gel batteries with a Dimensions inverter. They are not set up to charge these batteries.

jdsr · 11-07-2008, 06:42 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John_Canfield:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jdsr:
I may be wrong but did I read that gel or agm wont work with our converters? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Depends on your charger - what does your manual say? </div></BLOCKQUOTE> I will have to check. I have what came as standard on a 2004 winn adv

SargeW · 11-07-2008, 04:34 PM

There is no real magic to the 6V/12V comparison. The 6V have fewer cell compartments, so it is easier to make the plates thicker. Thicker plates with more surface area to be exposed to the electrical charge.

That is the usual reason for going with 2 6V instead of 12V. That being said, as someone already mentioned, there may be some 12V out there that are as capable as a heavy 6V for holding a charge. And I am sure that there are also some manufactures that make some low end 6V that would be no better than an average 12V.

Its your choice.....

Bob/Becky D - VA · 11-07-2008, 05:37 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Robert Rice:
What would be the best (cheapest) source for AGM batteries? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Robert:

I bought mine from BDbatteries. With free shipping, they were very competetive.

http://www.bdbatteries.com/marinebatteries.php

BobD

DAN L · 11-08-2008, 08:07 PM

i got my 2 lifeline 6v 300a batts from bd batteries in august. their price was better than i could get locally and included shipping.
one good thing about lifeline agm batteries is that you can install them on their sides. they require very little venting.
my batteries are 13 inches tall, 10.3 inches wide, by 7.1 inches and fit nicely in the original battery compartment on their sides. they weigh 90# each, almost twice the original battery weight.
if i could relocate the starting battery, there would be enough room in the battery box for 2 more.
the problem is the weight and the price.
so far, my lifelines are working well.

jk_and_dog · 11-10-2008, 12:52 PM

Thanks for all the info...I don't know if they are AGM or lead acid sealed units. The Interstate guy let me know that the sealed batteries are subject to haveing H2 gas seep from the seals if to heavy of a volyage (14 v +) was applied and therefore may lower the effectiveness of the battery. I guess I'll have to find the time to go out and get the "name and type" of battery and then give you guys another shot at this.

Sorry for being so dumb on this issue but working seven jobs keeps me busy and i don't have a lot of time to research. MH is used as a travling office. When it stops my brain goes into a crashing meltdown.