Agm or lead acid (1 Viewer)

[Kerrone]

Time for new batteries. Looked at lithium but too expensive so do I go for agm or the original lead acid. Advice appreciated

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

How do you use you're van? Significant of grid will be easier with Lithium.
If you're on EHU generally, AGM will work fine, but need more care not to drain them off to deeply.
50/50 mix, you may consider GEL, but the van needs to support GEL charging profile, which from you're Avatar it looks likely to be an Electroblok, so probably will. Other's will be along to add more detailed advice.
Mike.

 

[Dorwyn]

Mike's got an AGM. Too new to make any comment, but it's been parked outside for 6 months without moving, seems Ok, fed only by a 100watt solar. Did have the frost setting on the heating some of the time, plus very occasional mains when it got too cold, but that doesn't charge the LB.

 

[Boringfrog]

I've used lead acid since I started Motorhoming in 2007, long term too and never had any problems.

 

[Stealaway]

Lead acid - plain and simply and cheap - ish.
But only buy quality and a factory name that needs to protect their reputation.

Do you need them for off grid or on sites?

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Mike's got an AGM . Too new to make any comment, but it's been parked outside for 6 months without moving, seems Ok, fed only by a 100watt solar. Did have the frost setting on the heating some of the time, plus very occasional mains when it got too cold, but that doesn't charge the LB.

How did you know?,
Mike

 

[Kerrone]

Lead acid - plain and simply and cheap - ish.
But only buy quality and a factory name that needs to protect their reputation.

Do you need them for off grid or on sites?

A mixture of both really, but going forward I can see these sites charging separately for electric so would be nice to be self sufficient? Looking into lithium but way too expensive

 

[TinaLes]

our German Van came with Exide Gels, lower amp hour (80) , but then you can take them down to 80% rather than just 50% like lead acids. If looked after they last many years longer than AGM's, ours are 6 years old and still doing fine.I have heard the same from other German van owners, so for me it would either have to be Gels again, or these days Lithium, with the correct mains charger, so many more life charge cycles, plus a very long warranty. They are coming down in price all the time, plus keep your eye open for 15% discounts such as Fogstar had recently.
LES

 

[PhilandMena]

These appear to be the dogs Bo**ocks. Pure Lead Carbon AGM batteries from Leoch. Charged on a standard Lead Acid battery profile. Thousands of cycles and can be charged from full discharge to 90% in 90 minutes. Ignore old timers who slag off AGM as this is recent technology that prevents sulphating.

Pure Lead Carbon - Leoch Battery UK

Leoch Pure Lead Carbon batteries, PLH+C series, are Pure Lead Carbon AGM Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid batteries.

www.leochbattery.co.uk

PLH+C100

The Leoch PLH+C 100 AGM Battery is a high-quality and versatile battery designed for solar, golf, lighting, industrial, leisure, and more applications. With a 12V 100Ah power output, it provides more power than traditional lead WET acid batteries and offers faster charging capabilities...

batterystore.co.uk

 

[Flairy]

the exide gels on mine are over 20 years old still holding full charge

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[Langtoftlad]

Cue Lenny HB and his opinion that AGM's are the devil's spawn

 

[Dorwyn]

How did you know?,
Mike

It's printed on them in big letters! Yuasa AGM!

 

[Lenny HB]

If you are planning keeping the van a few years Gels would be well worth the investment providing your charger has the correct profile.
I take it you have an Elektroblock so depending in age it will have setting for LA & Gel or Gel & AGM.
I would give AGM house room rubbish for use as a leisure battery.

 

[Dorwyn]

I was quite happy coz the last van's LB was the same make but lead acid. The two previous LBs had been Platinum, they each died at 3 years, so replaced them with Yasa standard. Unfortunately the van was quickly stolen, so I never got to see the results.

 

[Dorwyn]

If you are planning keeping the van a few years Gels would be well worth the investment providing your charger has the correct profile.
I take it you have an Elektroblock so depending in age it will have setting for LA & Gel or Gel & AGM.
I would give AGM house room rubbish for use as a leisure battery.

Somebody said you might say that . Yuasa should beat Platinum anyway. Besides, the van came with them. We'll see!

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

It's printed on them in big letters! Yuasa AGM!

My error, I thought that was a typo in your first comment as I'm a Mike as well.
Mike.

 

[jezport]

Im on year 6 with my Duracell AGM batteries and they still perform very well. I think its important to charge them correctly as some chargers and solar regulators are not suitable.

 

[timetochill]

These appear to be the dogs Bo**ocks. Pure Lead Carbon AGM batteries from Leoch. Charged on a standard Lead Acid battery profile. Thousands of cycles and can be charged from full discharge to 90% in 90 minutes. Ignore old timers who slag off AGM as this is recent technology that prevents sulphating.

Pure Lead Carbon - Leoch Battery UK

Leoch Pure Lead Carbon batteries, PLH+C series, are Pure Lead Carbon AGM Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid batteries.

www.leochbattery.co.uk

PLH+C100

The Leoch PLH+C 100 AGM Battery is a high-quality and versatile battery designed for solar, golf, lighting, industrial, leisure, and more applications. With a 12V 100Ah power output, it provides more power than traditional lead WET acid batteries and offers faster charging capabilities...

batterystore.co.uk

Anyone got these doesn’t say leisure use?

 

[PhilandMena]

Anyone got these doesn’t say leisure use?

The clue was in this link https://batterystore.co.uk/leoch-plh-c100-battery/

Here's anouther. https://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/12v-leoch-pure-lead-carbon-plh-c100-deep-cycle-leisure-battery/

 

[Peregrinator]

Time for new batteries. Looked at lithium but too expensive so do I go for agm or the original lead acid. Advice appreciated

Deep Cycle Lead Acid is the way to go, if your not going for Lithium, they have had problems with AGM at such a degree, Manufactures are phasing them out, GEL only last half the life of Deep Cycle Lead Acid, and both AGM & GEL are expensive, You get Deep Cycle Lead Acid very cheap, only draw back is weight, they are heavy, has the plates are twice as thick, just make sure they are Deep Cycle, as there are a lot sellers claiming they are Deep Cycle when they are not.

Done quick search, £98.99 delivered to your door from this site: https://solarforboats.co.uk/product/dc12-120dt-sml/ You find them cheaper else where, even if they last five years, still cheap for that, good luck

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[JJ]

If you do decide on AGM batteries please don't tell Mr Lenny HB...

JJ

 

[ChrisL]

I have three lead carbon gel batteries installed for over a year, no issues to report so far. If you're considering buying more then one ring alpha and they may give you a discount, they did for me.

12V 110AH Expedition Plus Lead Carbon Gel Ultra Deep Cycle Battery (EXP12-110C) - Alpha Batteries

Ultra Deep Cycle Lead Carbon GEL Battery

www.alpha-batteries.co.uk

 

[Peregrinator]

These appear to be the dogs Bo**ocks. Pure Lead Carbon AGM batteries from Leoch. Charged on a standard Lead Acid battery profile. Thousands of cycles and can be charged from full discharge to 90% in 90 minutes. Ignore old timers who slag off AGM as this is recent technology that prevents sulphating.

Pure Lead Carbon - Leoch Battery UK

Leoch Pure Lead Carbon batteries, PLH+C series, are Pure Lead Carbon AGM Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid batteries.

www.leochbattery.co.uk

PLH+C100

The Leoch PLH+C 100 AGM Battery is a high-quality and versatile battery designed for solar, golf, lighting, industrial, leisure, and more applications. With a 12V 100Ah power output, it provides more power than traditional lead WET acid batteries and offers faster charging capabilities...

batterystore.co.uk

Are you kidding? Do you know the price and the weight of those things?

 

[Peregrinator]

the exide gels on mine are over 20 years old still holding full charge

Oh well done, normally they get cooked and dry out within five to seven years, that's great.

 

[VXman]

My motorhome has AGM's. That's what they tend to come with nowadays but....

My 2010 Renault Mégane is still on it's original battery. It has gone flat many times. It was left unused for 3 years. But still it works well. Its currently parked up at an airport carpark for 11 days but I have confidence it will start when I get back.

So, a lot to be said for old fashioned lead acid.

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[PhilandMena]

Deep Cycle Lead Acid is the way to go, if your not going for Lithium, they have had problems with AGM at such a degree, Manufactures are phasing them out, GEL only last half the life of Deep Cycle Lead Acid, and both AGM & GEL are expensive, You get Deep Cycle Lead Acid very cheap, only draw back is weight, they are heavy, has the plates are twice as thick, just make sure they are Deep Cycle, as there are a lot sellers claiming they are Deep Cycle when they are not.

Done quick search, £98.99 delivered to your door from this site: https://solarforboats.co.uk/product/dc12-120dt-sml/ You find them cheaper else where, even if they last five years, still cheap for that, good luck

Absolute crap ! 23.5 kg and no information on number of cycles and DOD. This explains why they are only £98.0.

 

[PhilandMena]

Are you kidding? Do you know the price and the weight of those things?

Yes! It's in the link!

 

[Peter Clark]

I'll take the opportunity to ask my own question on this thread.

Ref: Interim electrical power upgrade - on new to me 1st MH

Vehicle has one Halfords HLB681 115Ah leisure battery - Halfords rate it as Class C - "use with EHU with minimal off grid usage"

My original thought was to add one or two similar lead acid batteries (new or s/h) to give me enough power to travel entirely off grid - while I gain experience/knowledge to decide whether I need to invest in powerful Lithium tech.

However - it seems I should only consider Class A rated lead batteries - "for frequent off grid usage without EHU"

On that basis - should I regard the existing battery as not useful & scrap it?

(NB: Vehicle has no solar or B2B charging and no inverter)
_________________________

There's a whole raft of sub questions of course regarding - Solar panels - B2B charger - Inverter.

The main one being - If I fit these items can I "Dual Spec" them to work now with lead batteries - but be sure they would be fine to work with big, expensive lithium batteries at a later date?

 

[Peregrinator]

Absolute crap ! 23.5 kg and no information on number of cycles and DOD. This explains why they are only £98.0.

Just normal car batteries weigh in at around 20kgs or more for just 98ah, The thing is they are not crap, the series 200 have proven to last more then 5 years on boats, even if they last five years, still cheap for that, compared to what you suggested, the price two & a half times more and weigh a third more again.
My the two batteries are doing just fine, I'm very happy to buy another two when these are knackered if I don't have Lithium by then, Happy Days

 

[Peregrinator]

I'll take the opportunity to ask my own question on this thread.

Ref: Interim electrical power upgrade - on new to me 1st MH

Vehicle has one Halfords HLB681 115Ah leisure battery - Halfords rate it as Class C - "use with EHU with minimal off grid usage"

My original thought was to add one or two similar lead acid batteries (new or s/h) to give me enough power to travel entirely off grid - while I gain experience/knowledge to decide whether I need to invest in powerful Lithium tech.

However - it seems I should only consider Class A rated lead batteries - "for frequent off grid usage without EHU"

On that basis - should I regard the existing battery as not useful & scrap it?

(NB: Vehicle has no solar or B2B charging and no inverter)
_________________________

There's a whole raft of sub questions of course regarding - Solar panels - B2B charger - Inverter.

The main one being - If I fit these items can I "Dual Spec" them to work now with lead batteries - but be sure they would be fine to work with big, expensive lithium batteries at a later date?

It would be the B2B charge Controller which would be important, get a all in one with Lithium profile, cant go wrong if it handle 50 amps output.