AGM Batteries

[Prescott Trail Boss]

Anyone replace their wet (sealed or not) batteries with AGM on a 22RBS? Would like to, but not sure if the charging system (including solar) is compatible with AGM technology. Currently have two group 27 that are not holding charges as needed. Purchased the trailer used ('24 22RBS) and believe the batteries were run dead too many times.
Any help will be greatly appreciated....
D

 

[RollaMo]

You shouldn't have any issues.
I replaced my old wet cell batteries with AGM batteries in the spring of 2024 and haven't had any issues.

 

[Peto]

Just go lithium.

 

[Max23]

Lithium have come down in price greatly and offer a full battery drain of power which give you twice as much time as a standard battery. I agree, go lithium if you can without changing over anything on the charging system. That does make a difference, the AGM will not make a difference to your system. Good luck on whatever you chose.

 

[jxnbbl]

you will not have any issues with AGM you will have to do some research on you specific converter if you go lithium.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

As noted above, AGM is basically the same "technology" as FLA, but with a couple of added benefits. Where things would take a different path is going to lithium.

Given the similarities between AGM and FLA, in my opinion, there isn't enough performance improvement to warrant the extra cost. I went to lithium myself because of weight, performance, and storage capacity over the acid based batteries.

 

[chuckster57]

If a person does a lot of off grid/ dry camping I could see going lithium. Our mantra for over 25 years- if it doesn’t have full hookups we don’t go there. To each their own.

 

[flybouy]

An AGM (absorbant glass mat) is a FLA battery. The glass mat is used to insulate the cells. The advantages are mainly in durability under extreme conditions like jarring, vibration, etc. They were used by off road racers and because they were sealed and wouldn't leak they were popular with rock crawlers, Bajaj racers, and acrobatic airplanes.

For the increase in costs I don't see any advantage for using them in a camper. If you want to improve the performance then change technology to lithium.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

I did recently change the two FLA batteries in my truck to AGM due to the FLA ones leaking from the tops. The AGM type are better suited prevent that since they are sealed. Even the battery in my wife's car is AGM (it is actually inside the car and not under the hood), so yes there are advantages in those applications, but not in a camper.

 

[JRTJH]

The "one common battery type" that hasn't been discussed is "golf cart batteries". They are "true deep cycle batteries" and the GC2 size is what most people choose as a replacement. They are 6VDC, so you need two. They're the "footprint" of a GP24 battery, so two will fit where two "normal RV batteries" will fit. They're a bit taller, so you'll need new battery boxes for them. I've had two on my Cougar since 2013 when we bought the trailer. At the 5 year mark, I planned to replace the batteries, but the original ones were still functioning well enough to keep using them so I didn't replace them. Then, at the 7 year mark, although they were still working great, Sam's had a "can't refuse sale" on GC2 batteries and I replaced them then, even though they were working fine. This new set cost the price of one GP27 FLA battery as a comparison. You can discharge them to 50% regularly without damage, they keep the same "FLA charging requirements" so there's nothing to modify or replace on your converter/charger.

Don't rule out a true deep cycle battery....

 

[Prescott Trail Boss]

You shouldn't have any issues.
I replaced my old wet cell batteries with AGM batteries in the spring of 2024 and haven't had any issues.

Thanks, all I needed to know. Strange, I ask a question and get one good answer and a dozen opinions.

 

[snoobler]

Thanks, all I needed to know. Strange, I ask a question and get one good answer and a dozen opinions.

Well, this is a forum... for discussion. Your choice to use AGM has consequences and the battery landscape has changed notably in recent years. You are likely making an operational and financial mistake.

AGM batteries and FLA batteries are essentially functionally identical; however, AGM ALWAYS have notably shorter cycle life than FLA IF the FLA is properly maintained. Quality deep cycle AGM typically only have a 3 year cycle life to 50% SoC. They're fantastic for "standby" operations like backup power, UPS, etc.

LFP (lithium) is cheaper than AGM at this point. IMHO, the only reasons to use AGM are:

1. Standby (UPS) power - infrequent backup power.
2. Very lightly cycled systems - weekend warrior that maybe only puts a few dozen cycles on the batteries per year and diligently keeps them floated at 100%.
3. You're a luddite, you think Lithium is a gimmick, you're too lazy to properly maintain FLA, and you don't care that LFP is better in almost every way.
4. You're providing power to a remote site where freezing temperatures common, and you don't want the potential hassle of Lithium batteries and their sensitivity to cold temp charging.

 

[Peto]

I apologize for attempting to offer an alternative/better solution.

 

[snoobler]

I apologize for attempting to offer an alternative/better solution.

I don't. People who rely on the good graces of others for help and free advice need to be open to hearing something more than a yes or no answer.

 

[Prescott Trail Boss]

Well, this is a forum... for discussion. Your choice to use AGM has consequences and the battery landscape has changed notably in recent years. You are likely making an operational and financial mistake.

AGM batteries and FLA batteries are essentially functionally identical; however, AGM ALWAYS have notably shorter cycle life than FLA IF the FLA is properly maintained. Quality deep cycle AGM typically only have a 3 year cycle life to 50% SoC. They're fantastic for "standby" operations like backup power, UPS, etc.

LFP (lithium) is cheaper than AGM at this point. IMHO, the only reasons to use AGM are:

1. Standby (UPS) power - infrequent backup power.
2. Very lightly cycled systems - weekend warrior that maybe only puts a few dozen cycles on the batteries per year and diligently keeps them floated at 100%.
3. You're a luddite, you think Lithium is a gimmick, you're too lazy to properly maintain FLA, and you don't care that LFP is better in almost every way.
4. You're providing power to a remote site where freezing temperatures common, and you don't want the potential hassle of Lithium batteries and their sensitivity to cold temp charging.

As stated, all I did was ask a question! Forum or not, if the question asked cannot be answered possibly move on.
Calling me a Luddite is Ludicrous since you DO NOT know me and in all honesty most people I have met have wished they never met me. That was my job; now retired, very hard to change.

But to help you along, Number 4 is the answer, I will be spending time in northern WY/Southern UT in the winter and at temps well below zero....lithium is not the answer. It appears from research and discussing with someone who actually camps in the winter, in the same area switched to AGM and has had not problem. Of course there are some other factors involved to help; not for discussion here.

 

[Prescott Trail Boss]

I don't. People who rely on the good graces of others for help and free advice need to be open to hearing something more than a yes or no answer.

I sure as **** do NOT need nor do I even want an apology. I simply made a statement if that statement upset a few....I will certainly not apologize

 

[Prescott Trail Boss]

I'm moving on....hope others do too.

 

[chuckster57]

This thread is locked