Which <span class="highlight">battery</span>?
Submitted: Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 18:36
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140921
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The Rambler( W.A.)
I am up for two new agm batteries for my camper trailer. I got 51/2 years out of my old ones but not sure what make.I am looking at the 120 ah Fullriver dc120-12b and was wondering if to pay the extra price for them or look maybe at the Giant 120 ah or another brand.Not really interested in the very cheap ones( under $300).May be someone could have a good recommendation or should I just bite the bullet and get the Fullriver.
Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 18:53
Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 18:53
I've got a Giant 130 amp that's just on 4 years old , and showing no signs of weakening.
Fullriver have an excellent reputation.
Good luck !!
Cheers
Jim
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AnswerID:
634575
Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 20:03
Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 20:03
AGM is old technology, for your purpose, its best to go LiFePO4 Deep Cycle
AnswerID:
634576
Follow Up By: Gronk - Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 21:11
Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 21:11
AGM is not old technology....still relevant. Li Po might be newer technology, but a lot dearer than some want to pay.
FollowupID:
911831
Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 22:21
Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 22:21
Hi Gronk nothing wrong with good AGMs.
In my last caravan, I had a 150ah Lifeline AGM – it’s the Rolls Royce of AGMs.
Twice the life of your run-of-the-mill AGMs but twice the price.
LiFePO4s are half the weight and can be worked harder and live longer than an AGM.
FollowupID:
911832
Follow Up By: Member - John - Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 08:06
Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 08:06
If you go to LiFePo4 not only batteries are changed, need to change charger as
well, in my case, charger is also invertor, also have an older CTek DC-DC charger which would have to be changed as
well. So it can be very expensive to change.
FollowupID:
911834
Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 12:34
Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 12:34
Hi
John,
I have had no problem with chargers designed for lead acid batteries.
I have a Solar King LifePo4 12.8V
battery which specifies a maximum charge 14.8v and float 13.8v
I use it on my 13-year-old Xantrex charger and my old solar panel controller.
It charges successfully with charge voltages set anywhere between 13.8v and 14.8v
It came with a 3-year warranty so I discharged it to 10v to
check its low volt protection.
I then fully charged it, and measured its ah rating – all checked out, up to spec.
FollowupID:
911835
Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Saturday, Jan 02, 2021 at 08:33
Saturday, Jan 02, 2021 at 08:33
John,
It is not always the case that you need to change chargers when changing to LiFePo4 batteries. In my case, the Victron dc to dc charger in the van had a LiFePo4 profile, so it did not need to be changed when I upgraded from AGM’s to LiFePo4 batteries.
Macca.
FollowupID:
911850
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 20:30
Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 20:30
Price is not a good indicator of quality for very many items, batteries included.
This guy provides good service and good value.
https://www.batteryvalue.com.au/
I am using 4 x 100Ah Newmax for the house and 1 x 125Ah NPP for cranking in the OKA.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
634577
Follow Up By: Gramps - Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 20:40
Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 at 20:40
"Price is not a good indicator of quality for very many items"
Peter !!! Blasphemy !!! Are you not a strict adherent of the Exploroz 1st Commandment
"You only get what you pay for"
A couple of days "sackcloth and ashes" should be a suitable penance. Happy New Year :)
Regards
FollowupID:
911830
Follow Up By: Tim Owen - Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 16:26
Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 16:26
I am another happy
https://www.batteryvalue.com.au/ customer. I have bought 3 AGM batteries from him over the years, the first 2 must be 8-9 years old now and I haven't noticed any loss in performance over that time. It's irrelevant now, as models available today are different - but it's indicative of someone sourcing quality product. It suited me to collect a
battery once (in
Brisbane) and can confirm a sophisticated
home based business specialising in what you see on the website with outstanding service based on expert knowledge.
FollowupID:
911838
Reply By: Member - Cuppa - Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 16:10
Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 16:10
Fullriver are good batteries. I had a set which were still giving good service at 10 years old when I sold our bus. I heard they were still in use at 12 years.
My current AGM batteries are now into their 9th year, including the past 3.5 years in fulltime service & showing no sign of needing replacement yet. If left for several weeks with no loads & under cover (no solar) they still read 12.7 - 12.8v . 3 x Ritar DC120's
Unless the features of Lithium (less weight, higher current delivery & faster charging) are needed stick with AGM. The technology is
well established. Work out which are best by calculating their weight/Ah ratio. The heavier per Ah they are the better the quality. It may also be worth investing in other parts of the system rather than 'extra' in batteries to provide a charging regime which enables a a longer life that 5.5 years.
Swings & roundabouts to balance.
AnswerID:
634586
Follow Up By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 19:09
Friday, Jan 01, 2021 at 19:09
Thanks Cuppa,
A good reply that addresses the content of my post.
FollowupID:
911842
Reply By: Member - silkwood - Tuesday, Jan 05, 2021 at 16:12
Tuesday, Jan 05, 2021 at 16:12
Just to offer an alternative...
I have two Remco 100aH AGMs sitting in my garage. They were in my vehicle for 8 years, subsequently moved to the new vehicle for a further year. They were replaced by LifePo batteries because I felt the change was due, not because they presented any problems.
They have been sitting uncharged for the last 3 months and are still showing 12.6/12.7v. Two weeks ago one of them ran a 12v water pump for a week (on and off) and still maintained charge from a 120watt solar panel. I am planning to use one at a time to run my garden pump (fountain) until they both give in.
To say I'm impressed is an understatement.
Cheers,
Mark
AnswerID:
634648
Follow Up By: bellony - Tuesday, Jan 05, 2021 at 19:39
Tuesday, Jan 05, 2021 at 19:39
Another happy Remco owner here.
Our
Kimberley had 2 x RM12-100DC in it when we purchased it 2nd hand in 2013. I added a third one and they are still all going strong. Dont know the age of the original 2.
I isolate them when in storage to stop the BMS drain and have never seen them drop below 12.6 v after 3 or 4 months.
Wouldn't hesitate to buy again, except when they do need replacing I think I will switch to lithium for the weight saving.
FollowupID:
911981
Reply By: Batt's - Wednesday, Jan 06, 2021 at 01:12
Wednesday, Jan 06, 2021 at 01:12
Don't know what sites you've looked at 4wdextreme have 2 x 120ah agm Fullriver $848 delivered.
AnswerID:
634658
Reply By: Member - Rowdy6032 (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 06, 2021 at 15:02
Wednesday, Jan 06, 2021 at 15:02
Hi
I have had Remco and Fullriver and have been happy with both.
I see you are in WA. I can recommend Challenge Batteries in Osborne Park Ph: 08 9446 6122.
They will usually give discount if you talk to them nicely or RAC, Pensioner etc.
Regards
AnswerID:
634666
Follow Up By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Wednesday, Jan 06, 2021 at 19:19
Wednesday, Jan 06, 2021 at 19:19
Recently bought two Fullriver 120 amp agms from Challenge batteries.Paid $906 which was supposed to be with pensioner discount.We’ll see how the go.I got 6 years out of my last ritar battteries.
FollowupID:
912001