Batteries

I've had two. Lifeline, made in USA and expensive. REMCO, Chinese and cheaper. Lifeline shot after four years, REMCO going strong after six years.

I recommended REMCO to a mate and his is still going great after 4 years.

Jim.

Perhaps it depends on which State you are in as to what is available but I am also an investor in the Remco brand of batteries, which are available for a very competitive price from Whitworth Marine.

However, any battery will suffer from abuse or neglect.
I purchased a second hand camper trailer which had two Remco 80Ah batteries installed in parallel. I couldn't get the on-board Waeco 12V compressor fridge to run efficiently for any length of time.
On checking, one battery was just over 12 months old and totally stuffed.
The other similar aged battery charged up OK but didn't hold its charge for long.
The result?
I chucked both and bought two new Remco batteries which will be treated with due respect with the intent of them giving me good performance over a long life, as I believe I can look after them better than the previous owner.

Any battery can be destroyed if drained down sufficiently low for a few cycles and not kept at a full charge between uses.

I also run a 100Ah Remco battery as an auxiliary in the back of the Dual cab ute.


Bill.

I have had a Remco for 5 years strarting a boat, been brilliant. I also have 4 x Fullriver AGM's in a marine application that have been faultless after 4 years, early days but with Ctek chargers looking after the maintenance I don't expect any problems and would be surprised if I didn't get 10 years out of them.

Yes, AGMs give markedly better cycle life than flooded/wet, and are more robust with higher current capability (both charging/discharging) when compared to gel.

Good quality AGMs can be had for just under $1.80 per Ah.

There's more information in my profile.

cheers, Peter

I had the same questions you had before I bought my first AGM. This site helped me with understanding a lot of it in laymans terms: http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/agm.htm

I ended up getting a fullriver 105ah and still going strong after many years. Just make sure you look after it and it will serve you well.

Cheers,
Will

Hi Ev,

I agree with all that has been said above.

Looking after the battery means charging with a good multi stage charger such as a CTEK or several other good brands many of which are sold by the EO Member/Traders at competitive pricing. The bigger the battery the bigger the capacity of the charger is a good rule. I use a 25 amp CTEK on my 100 A/H batteries and that keeps them in good condition. Multi stage chargers can be left connected for long periods of time, ensuring a fuul charge, unlike the old run of the mill 12 volt chargers which would stuff a battery if left on for too long.

If you are aware of thie situation with regard to multi stage chargers then I apologize but this info is as important as which battery to buy..

It may help you to avoid ruining good batteries with a poor charger.

Cheers, Bruce.

We have two fullriver agm's one going on ten years and the other on 6years both in different applications.
10 year job in vehicle 2nd bat. 6year job in van. both are charged on the run via a 12v dc to dc charger and by solar when stationary.

Thank you everyone for the information you have provided, I can always count on this forum for good info.

Cheers
Ev