Can Anyone 'Throw me a Lifeline'
Submitted: Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 16:52
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41523
Replies:
12
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dad1340
Lifeline military spec AGM that is.
After nearly 7 years of trouble free auxiliary AGM battery use, the time has come.
With restricted engine bay space I want to use the original Holder.
Previous AGM Dimensions:
Length - 255mm
Width - 168mm
Height - 240 to top of terminal
We have found with our setup 80AH works for us.
After 7 years not worrying about auxiliary batteries, technology has truely passed me by.
Li is fast becoming cheaper and more widely used, however I don't want the extra cost of a new BCDC and Ctek chargers to suite Li.
Along comes Lifeline AGM batteries with much praise and credentials - used by the US military.
They have two 80AH - one that fits and one 10mm longer.
Downside is, we will have to sell the grandkids. They retail at around $661 - $679 to over $900.
We travel in remote regions and reliability is everything.
Any suggestions/help would be appreciated.
Cheers
Breaking News:
A 4WD and Trailer was seen leaving
William Creek at great speed to
Woomera.
South Aussies and others would know what I'm talking about ;)
Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 17:48
Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 17:48
.
If you got 7 years out of your last one, I would be buying exactly the same again.
AnswerID:
634365
Follow Up By: dad1340 - Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 10:21
Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 10:21
Hi Allan,
Replacement was my first option (the AGM is 7yo in April 2021) however it was an M-Power and at first attempt I found their site closed then an address in Indonesia, so ...
Cheers
Mike
FollowupID:
911532
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 16:18
Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 16:18
.
Oh!!....
FollowupID:
911546
Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 18:23
Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 18:23
Century now make an AGM specifically for 4WD under bonnet use.
I have just fitted two 90ah Century Dual Force AGMs.
They come with a 2 year warranty.
You can get them for $300 if you
shop around.
AnswerID:
634366
Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 18:26
Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 18:26
I've got a GPL31T which is still going strong ......... bought in 2012 for $485. I use it in the camper, not under the bonnet.
Get another Lifeline I reckon.
Cheers
Jim
| "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.
"No road is long with good company." TraditionalLifetime Member
My Profile My Position Send Message |
AnswerID:
634367
Reply By: Gbc.. - Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 18:57
Saturday, Dec 05, 2020 at 18:57
Optima and Odyssey will each go 7 years no problem. I have each in varying sizes.
AnswerID:
634369
Reply By: Kenell - Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 08:07
Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 08:07
The grandchildren seem incredibly cheap at those prices. Can you tell me more about them? We have 6 of our own but always up for more.
Now about that battery - I have also had good service from a yellow top Optima under the bonnet.
AnswerID:
634371
Follow Up By: Member Andys Adventures - Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 16:22
Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 16:22
Second the yellow top.
Mine have been working for 9 years and still hold 13.2 V. They are 80ah.
FollowupID:
911523
Reply By: Banjo (WA) - Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 08:47
Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 08:47
I'm more interested in the 'Breaking News',
'A 4WD and Trailer was seen leaving
William Creek at great speed to
Woomera.'
AnswerID:
634372
Follow Up By: dad1340 - Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 09:08
Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 09:08
Hi Banjo, people who have been to
William Creek would know of the collection of Space
Debris across the road from the Pub. The current Jap stuff would fit in there perfectly ;)
Cheers
FollowupID:
911516
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 17:38
Sunday, Dec 06, 2020 at 17:38
Have you had a look at Deep Cycle Systems website? Their 75Ah battery fits your size parameters, is able to fit under the bonnet & can start the engine. Website is
here.
They can also be charged direct from the alternator, without the need for a dc2dc charger. No affiliation etc.
Bob
AnswerID:
634378
Follow Up By: dad1340 - Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 10:32
Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 10:32
Thanks Bob,
Only the Century 75ah AGM fits so far and with Solar and Redarc charger a 75/80 Aux does us.
I'll
check your link.
Love the "Seen it all, Done it all - Can't remember most of it"
We are in our 70's and as with all of us survivors, we can relate to the phrase.
FollowupID:
911534
Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 11:44
Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 11:44
I considered LiFePO4 but iTech, our local WA company, was a bit hesitant about guaranteeing a LiFePO4 under the bonnet of a Toyota V8 Diesel because of the heat. This put me off so I went for the Century AGMs
FollowupID:
911536
Follow Up By: dad1340 - Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 13:31
Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 13:31
My individual situation, I guess, should have been explained earlier - my bad.
My setup has the AGM across the grill maximising cool air. Secondly, these days our travelling season is in the cooler months. Thirdly the 75ah only runs Engel and lights. It's charged up in a couple of hours in the (sunny) morning.
AGM's and Li batteries have been criticised for engine bay heat degradation. In fact I believe DCS Li's warrantee goes from 4 to 3yrs if installed in the Bay.
A big PO4 $1,989 behind the
seat with its management unit $69 would be the way I would go if I could claw back the years but at 73 a Century 75ah AGM drops straight in the Tray for about $316. That would give us 6-7 years. The reality unfortunately kicks in.
In less than 2 years offroaders and proper adventurers will be going Lithium.
Cheers and thank you all for your help.
Mike
FollowupID:
911542
Follow Up By: Kenell - Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 16:50
Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 16:50
"That would give us 6-7 years. The reality unfortunately kicks in."
Hey Dad1340 you sound like you are doing ok. Just remember - when he comes knocking, don't let the old man in.
If you spend the $316 and get 6-7 years my bet is the price and technology of the Lithiums will both improve by then and you can replace your old technology AGM.
FollowupID:
911547
Follow Up By: dad1340 - Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 17:17
Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 17:17
We are both doing
well, thanks mate. Attitude is everything; a good one that is.
We both scarpa up and down the Rooftop Tent ladder; slowly; and still lead a few club trips pre Covid.
The fun is in the journey ! .......................
places and people you meet.
Cheers
Mike
FollowupID:
911548
Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 19:22
Monday, Dec 07, 2020 at 19:22
Just had a look at the DCS Extreme 80 ah Battery – its specs says that it will work up to 85c.
Very impressive, but the price of $1650 takes a bit of justifying.
FollowupID:
911552
Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Tuesday, Dec 08, 2020 at 06:59
Tuesday, Dec 08, 2020 at 06:59
Caterpillar batteries are also supposed to be good ........ take all the rough stuff and reasonable price.
Cheers
Jim
| "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.
"No road is long with good company." TraditionalLifetime Member
My Profile My Position Send Message |
AnswerID:
634397
Reply By: StormCamper - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 03:55
Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 03:55
If reliability is everything then stay with the lifeline and forget li. Li batteries & reliability don't go together like compact and powerful dont go together for a laptop. I would always go lead acid over lithium batteries when going remote or you will regret it, same as an adventure bike, went Odessy AGM over those toy lithiums because I knew what was inside & how bad they are.
Most of these lithium batteries are dirt cheap simply because they can't sell the expensive ones, they are cheap for a reason & if you see whats inside from all the videos it's truly shocking.
Most battery chargers are not Multi-chem, meaning they are set up for lead acid using generic presets, if you do go li you must get a multichem charger.
AnswerID:
634400
Follow Up By: dad1340 - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 10:05
Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 10:05
The more you look the more you find. Research is everything to separate the the subjective from the objective; in short the AGM is getting plenty ticks. Remember we are looking for a replacement for a 7yo AGM.
This is not to say there is not some out there with strong Lithium longevity and performance stories.
Cheers
FollowupID:
911561
Reply By: Member - Cuppa - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 07:37
Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 07:37
Check out Ritar & Fullriver batteries for sizing.
My current Ritars are in their 9th year & still holding 12.8v after sitting disconnected for a couple of weeks.
My previous Fullrivers were still in use at 12 years old in our bus after we had sold it when they were 10 years old.
Mind you this says as much about battery management as it does battery quality .
AnswerID:
634401
Follow Up By: dad1340 - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 10:15
Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 10:15
Hi Cuppa,
No stone unturned and learning on the way.
Love your blog photos. I took a small group across the Simpson last year that included some "Twitchers"
They roamed around at night looking for the allusive Night Parrot to no avail. Their final 'Birds of the Simpson' photos, as with yours, were superb.
Cheers
FollowupID:
911562
Follow Up By: Member - Kia1 - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 13:50
Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 13:50
I am sure I have had my two battery's for 10 years. (Fullriver 120 AH)
One in the van and one in the back of the wagon
Cheers
FollowupID:
911564
Follow Up By: Gbc.. - Friday, Dec 11, 2020 at 07:57
Friday, Dec 11, 2020 at 07:57
Like some other brands, full river were bought out and moved to China some time back I believe. The original ones were an excellent battery.
FollowupID:
911588
Follow Up By: Member - Cuppa - Friday, Dec 11, 2020 at 08:07
Friday, Dec 11, 2020 at 08:07
Fullriver have always been a Chinese manufacturer. In fact almost all AGM batteries are made in China with the exception of the few (Lifeline included) which are made in the USA. In the early days of AGM's this contributed to many arguments about charging & float voltages as the two country's products had slightly different requirements.
Probably 90% + of AGM batteries in Australia are of Chinese manufacture.
FollowupID:
911589
Reply By: Member - Kia1 - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 13:39
Wednesday, Dec 09, 2020 at 13:39
I am sure I have had my two battery's for 10 years. (Fullriver 120 AH)
AnswerID:
634408
Reply By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Dec 10, 2020 at 13:41
Thursday, Dec 10, 2020 at 13:41
Yeah Fullriver has been good for me. 5-6 years now still ok.
Well maintained though. Having said that Lithium is ticking a lot of boxes for me because it offers more capacity in the same size footprint. Under bonnet applications have been limited for Lithium but some companies now offer under bonnet hybrid style lithium. Horses for courses as always.
AnswerID:
634421