Changing batteries to GEL/AGM

[Gcs]

Just fitted an Sterling inveter, which immediately showed up that the batteries are stuffed!
My electrician friend that tested them suggested changing to GEL or AGM, checked my charger (CBE CB-516) has a GEL setting, and the Victron Solar controllers can be configured to them, so no worries there. I’ve been doing a lot of reading up and probably over complicating things, but are there any issues with having lead acid cab battery and GEL/AGM habitation batteries, when being charged by the alternator? thinking of just staying with lead acid and going to the new EFB type

thanks in advance

 

[pappajohn]

The HAB battery (AGM/GEL) won't get a full or proper charge from the alternator.
If the solar controller and onboard charger are set to charge both hab and cab and are configured to GEL/AGM the CAB battery may be overcharged.

AGM are getting a bad name for short life so I wouldn't consider them.

 

[Wagoneer]

The charge from the CB 516 to the cab battery is limited to about 2 amps, so no danger of the cab battery getting overcharged.

 

[autorouter]

Just fitted an Sterling inveter, which immediately showed up that the batteries are stuffed!
My electrician friend that tested them suggested changing to GEL or AGM,

Gel batteries are great for limited modest current applications, but are not particularly good for high discharge rates such as powering an inverter.

The discharge rate is described by the amps drawn, compared to the amp-hour capacity C of the battery. For example, a 100Ah battery discharging at 20 amps, the discharge rate is C/5. Typically gel batteries do not like being discharged at greater than C/5. So if you wanted to draw 100 amps, you would need 500Ah of Gel batteries.

Lithium batteries (LiFePO4) can be discharged at C/2, or even C, so that for 100 amps of current you would need 200Ah of Lithium, or even 100Ah. When you compare 100Ah of lithium with 500Ah of Gel, the cost of Lithium suddenly becomes less prohibitive.

 

[DL42846]

I have two of these in our Motorhome, I also had one in our previous van. Haven't had any problems with them so far. Had them for a couple of years.

12V 110AH DC Power Gel Carbon Battery (DC12-110DT-CDC) (GTP12110) (N/A) - Alpha Batteries

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[Reallyretired]

Gel batteries are great for limited modest current applications, but are not particularly good for high discharge rates such as powering an inverter.

The discharge rate is described by the amps drawn, compared to the amp-hour capacity C of the battery. For example, a 100Ah battery discharging at 20 amps, the discharge rate is C/5. Typically gel batteries do not like being discharged at greater than C/5. So if you wanted to draw 100 amps, you would need 500Ah of Gel batteries.

Lithium batteries (LiFePO4) can be discharged at C/2, or even C, so that for 100 amps of current you would need 200Ah of Lithium, or even 100Ah. When you compare 100Ah of lithium with 500Ah of Gel, the cost of Lithium suddenly becomes less prohibitive.

Of course you could also draw 100A from 200Ah of flooded lead/acid which would be the cheapest of the lot.
Not entirely tongue in cheek as this is what I do using a 1.5/3KW inverter. The batteries wont last as long but are a fraction of the price. Traction batteries best.

 

[Gcs]

Of course you could also draw 100A from 200Ah of flooded lead/acid which would be the cheapest of the lot.
Not entirely tongue in cheek as this is what I do using a 1.5/3KW inverter. The batteries wont last as long but are a fraction of the price. Traction batteries best.

In fact that’s what I think I’ll do as I only plan to keep this Van for 1 more big Euro trip, then change it, so cheapest option that’ll give me a years use will be fine