Batteries aint Batteries… or are they?

Submitted: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 18:05

ThreadID: 86193 Views:3134 Replies:4 FollowUps:7

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Battery Power

In this article we explain why you might need an additional power source independent of the starting battery installed into your vehicle and we look in detail at types of batteries,

Member - Myles F (QLD)

G'day All,
I want to replace my two wet cell batteries in my trailer with two AGM batteries. I’ve searched and can’t determine whether there’s a difference in quality between brands. Is there a major difference in construction between the cheapest and the dearest? I’m assuming there’s a big difference because prices start at just over $200.00 but you can pay $500 or more for 100AH. I want good construction as it’s an off road trailer used off road. They all seem to weigh about the 30kg mark. The only battery that does seem quite different is Optima.
I will pay more if it’s a good investment but obviously I don’t want to pay more unnecessarily.
Thanks,
Myles.

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Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:17

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:17

Hi Miles,
How have you and the navigator been?
Hows Mingo these days mate. Been under water I was told, almost to the edge of the bridge on the roadway. Ive seen the pics.

Re your battery problem I have seen many positive posts re the full river brand.

I got my batteries from a local battery supplier but I don't know the brand, didn't take much notice to tell you the truth. They are out in the van and its too late and too cold out there tonight for me to look for you. Will look and tell you tomorrow.

I paid around $300 for mine and they are 100 AH.
I still owe you that beer mate.

Cheers, Bruce.

At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: Member - Myles F (QLD) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:34

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:34

G’day Bruce,
You heard of compounding interest? It’s two beers now!
Deb’s great. I recommended Mingo to my brother who went there early January. He’s travelling full time and had to leave fearing the water would reach the bridge – believe it or not. I don’t know what level it got to but the fish cleaning table was in the water when you and I were there.
Fullriver is a brand I’ve looked at but they come with ‘button terminals’… I don’t know what you do about that. 105 AH for $370 and with the smallest dimensions 307x169x215.
I like to buy the best…. Not necessarily the dearest.
Myles.

FollowupID: 726703

Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 20:14

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 20:14

That interest rate is a doozy mate, 100% sheeeesh!! and its not even 12 months yet.

Good to hear you and Deb are well.

My niece and nephew are not at Mingo now as they have gone back to Brissy to work. Need rocks in their head.

I saw pics of the water at Mingo on the main road just up from the big shed and was still rising. I think it lapped the underside of the bridge or very nearly. Apparently the fish cleaning tables go under if you sweat too much or if someone is peeling onions. LOL

These AGM batteries are usually provided with brass terminals which bolt to the button terminals and then they look like normal terminal posts. Well mine came with that set up, so I figured they all did.

Try asking the trader for info on that to verify if I am correct.

I did not use my terminal extenders, I will call them that for simplicity sake, so if you get stuck you can PM me and I will send you mine as I don't need them. If I can find them.

They come with longish bolts so I put eyelet connectors on my leads and bolted them down to the buttons.

Cheers, Bruce

At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: Member - Myles F (QLD) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 20:40

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 20:40

Will do… thanks for that Bruce.
Myles.

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Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 21:01

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 21:01

Miles I just did a little research and found a photo of the bridge at Mingo which finished up 1 metre under water.

The park was wrecked and had to have extensive work done. At a metre over the bridge it is a wonder anything was left standing. Imagine the force behind that level of water.

Here is the link

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/flood-proof-bridge-went-under/story-fn6ck45n-1225977441648

If it does not work as a link cut and paste into you browser to get you there.

Cheers. Bruce.

At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: Member - Myles F (QLD) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 21:08

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 21:08

Unbelievable!!! I hope the park survives… It’s not that old and a great place to visit… Not many people seem to know of it.
Myles.

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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:46

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:46

Myles,

The Optima battery (blue top) has an Amp Hour rating of 75 which may be a little low for what you require, depending on how much you are prepared to pay, what you intend to run, how many batteries you have joined in parallel and how long you need to go between charges.

For a good quality AGM battery at a reasonable price, have a look at the Remco RM12, in an 80Ah or 100Ah capacity and available from Whitworth Marine.

As a reference, Whitworths sell both the Remco and Lifeline brands but the Remco is considerably cheaper.

I run a 100Ah Remco as an auxiliary in the back of the Ute and two 80Ah Remco's in the camper.

Just as a thought provoker, I once had an Exide Orbital (similar spiral wound technology as the Optima) and killed it within 6 months due to my ignorance at the time. The problem was the Engel fridge would run "on the smell of an oily rag" and drain the battery down to 10.4 volts which is kind of DEAD FLAT. A couple of cycles of this was all it took and I could not recover the battery.

I now run a low voltage cutout device which will cut the circuit when the battery has drained down to around 11.6 volts, or 25% capacity. This is about as far as you should go if you want the battery or batteries to recover.
Some fridges, such as the Waeco have inbuilt voltage protection.

Bill.

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Follow Up By: TrevorDavid- Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:59

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:59

Ditto Sand Man, I have two 100ah Remco's under my tray at the rear, good solid battery, preformed well so far in all conditions, the cold of south west Vic, the warmth of north west WA & the corrugations of the desert country.

Regards

TDB

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Follow Up By: Member - Myles F (QLD) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 20:01

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 20:01

Thanks Bill,
Optima say: “Optima Deep cycle batteries also rated very accurately in amp hours (C20 rate). Most deep cycle batteries maybe rated at 100 amp hours, but you can only discharge 70% of this, where as with Optima Deep cycle batteries you can discharge 100%.”

For this reason Optima may be worth the extra money.
I saw the Remcos on Whitworth’s web site – they seemed well priced and looked robust. I know you said you run them but do you recommend them?
Myles.

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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 22:40

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 22:40

The Optimas are a good choice for a quality battery at a reasonable price.
A D31A can be bought for $368 at some places eg LINK HERE. Sure its only 75AH but that is a very usable 75Ah.
I've also got a Remco AGM and its been fine. Main thing with any trailer battery is to disconnect it when not in use and keep it topped up with a good multistage charger.

AnswerID: 453908

Reply By: mattd - Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 20:19

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 20:19

Hi there,
Had a 100amp HAZE gel battery for 4 years. Served me well. I ran a 50lt waeco, some LED lights and charged a few phones. Would get me around 4 days. Cost was around $370

Just changed it over for 120amp Fullriver deep cycle AGM from R & J batteries in Hallam Vic. Cost included installation was $370!!!. They couldnt fit it in because my cables were not long enough in the camper. They discounted it down to $320 for that reason. I didnt even ask for a discount.!!!

Really helpful guys..

I now get around 6 days and have also bought a solar panel (60 watt) just to top it up..

Hope that helps..

AnswerID: 453998