Which AGM Battery?

X 2 For Powersonic, very good battery, but not the cheapest, very heavy battery which can only mean good insides.
Regards
Ian

I note they've gotten a fair bit cheaper over the past four years, especially after the Free Trade deal with the US.Mine were better than $500 each (trade!) back in 2010 and now they are not much more than $300. Hopefully they'll be worth tuppence when I come to replace mine around 2024 or so ;-)

Cheers

Hi Mick,

Just wondering what type and and amperage charger you have to charge the two batteries.

Do i really need two batteries?
My battery box is mounted inside my POD trailer, in your opinion what size single battery do you recommend or are you firm on two batteries?
Have you done any calculations on current draw as i have not?
I do not use freezing in the Waeco as i take vacuum sealed meat so current draw will be down for fridge only.

cheers Rob

Rob,

Trouble with one BIG battery is the weight. If you have to move it at all, you're heading for double hernia country!

I've got 2 Powersonic 120 amphr batteries in my camper and hope I don't have to move them too often. Think your problem would be the Waeco would drain nearly 50% of battery capacity each day, requiring some impressive recharging ability.

Wouldn't go below a 15 amp mains charger, preferably 25 amp.

Bob

Hi Bob,

That is bad news to me as i recently purchased a new C-Tek MXS10 (10Amp) charger thinking this would be a good size charger. So are you saying that if i use 50% of a 120 amphr battery, to recharge the 60 amps back to 120 amps it will take me 6 hrs with a 10 amp charger?
Oh well !!

Rob

Rob,

it's probably more a case of you knowing how you use your fridge and what draw it has. Also, if you are stationary for days ti will drain the batteries. Batteries of any variety will degrade once the are discharged past certain limits so we always aim to keep our batteries as topped up as possible. The more battery storage capacity you have, the more you can use without causing harm to your batteries. The fact that you only got 3.5 years out of an AGM battery would probably be an indication tat you are not charging it appropriately or you are cycling it excessively leading to degradation and final collapse.

My AGM's are 4.5 years old and going strong because I charge them correctly, try and maintain them to 100% charged as I can and carefully manage my power draw while stationary. There is the misconception around that you can run your batteries flat with the fridge and then just top them up again and all will be OK. This will kill your battery in no time flat, AGM or not.

I use Redarc BMS system over my two auxiliaries. This would probably be a bit of overkill in your situation so I would suggest the Redarc BC-DC 12/25 or 12/40. Mounted with your battery it will ensure that it is charged in the appropriate manner an AGM should be charged. Will also take solar input as well as it has an inbuilt MMPT solar controller..

Redarc BCDC

Hope that helps.

Mick

Hi Alloy c/t,

I have never used my WAECO lower than -10 and it was freezing everything in the freezer compartment.
Is there a reason for using -18, like very high ambient temperature in the outback?
What size battery do you use and if you have no 240V power how long can you camp before battery goes dead?
How long does charger take to fully charge again.

Cheers Rob

My two lifeline batts, were one year old when I bought them, they a are now seven years old and still going strong.

Lifeline are very cost effective – they have 2 to 3 times the cycle life of most others.

Hi Andrew,

Are you talking about deep cycle lithium battery?
Have you done any research on these and can you recommend a brand/website to review?

Cheers Rob