Time for new batteries

[Outdoors Dad]

Well it's time for new leisure batteries, I have X2 platinum 100a and one is on way out so I thought I may look at alternatives ie: AGM or GEL. I have a Autosleeper 2005 model with original charging arrangements except I have a voltronic solar charger with all battery options and a 150W panel. My batteries are under the drivers seat. I may consider having a B2B charger fitted. Are Gel and AGM an option?
Cheers Mark

 

[Tombola]

Plenty had bad experiences with AGM from what I can remember including Lenny HB

 

[Outdoors Dad]

I've read that people are having bad experiences with these batteries, yet the specs and company write ups sound great?

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Does anybody have any experience of fitting a B2B charger.....and which brand is recommended. Is this something I can fit myself?

 

[peterc10]

I fitted a Votronic B2B when I upgraded to LiFePO4 batteries. Good easy to follow instructions and does what it said it would.

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[Lenny HB]

AGM's are a waste of time as a leisure battery very unreliable.
Gel are excellent take a bit longer to charge but can be discharged further.

If you change to Gel you will need to change your mains charger and probably your solar controller.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Why are AGMs so poor as a leisure battery? My solar has a setting for GEL. Is it necessary to change my EHU mains charger for GEL or AGM,
Thanks for replies

 

[Outdoors Dad]

I fitted a Votronic B2B when I upgraded to LiFePO4 batteries. Good easy to follow instructions and does what it said it would.

I quite fancy the voltronic b2b what model did you get and how how many batteries do you have amp etc

 

[stevewagner]

I fitted a Sterling 60amp B2B and am very happy with it

 

[peterc10]

I quite fancy the voltronic b2b what model did you get and how how many batteries do you have amp etc

I got the 30amp B2B. Have 2 x 120Ah LiFePO4 batteries from K&S and 250W of solar with a Votronic MMPT regulator which would allow me to upgrade to 350W.

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[Reallyretired]

Gel are far better than AGM, a bit more expensive but last much longer, and can be discharged lower without damage. In my experience nearly all solar controllers and chargers have a gel setting so you don't need to change them just the settings.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

So I'm looking at getting a voltronic 30amp B2B and 2 x 100amp GEL batteries. My current solar mppt has a GEL setting. Will I be ok to use my current mains charger when on hook up it doesn't have a GEL setting?

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Thanks for info peeps....do I need battery temp thingy

 

[Lenny HB]

In my experience nearly all solar controllers and chargers have a gel setting so you don't need to change them just the settings.

Very few solar controllers have a proper Gel setting with a lot of them the Gel setting sets the correct voltage but don't have an absorbtion phase. Without the absorbtion phase they will only get chargered to to 80%.
The Votronic and Victron and a few others have a proper Gel setting.

 

[Lenny HB]

So I'm looking at getting a voltronic 30amp B2B and 2 x 100amp GEL batteries. My current solar mppt has a GEL setting. Will I be ok to use my current mains charger when on hook up it doesn't have a GEL setting?

Gels need a long absorbtion phase to get a full charge. Without a mains charger with the correct profile the batteries will only charge to 80%.

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[Lenny HB]

Why are AGMs so poor as a leisure battery

They don't perform as claimed often have a life of less than 2 years, very critical on charging, there are two type of AGM and charging voltages are different.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Very few solar controllers have a proper Gel setting with a lot of them the Gel setting sets the correct voltage but don't have an absorbtion phase. Without the absorbtion phase they will only get chargered to to 80%.
The Votronic and Victron and a few others have a proper Gel setting.

I've got a voltronic mppt solar charger with gel setting apparently what about mains charger is that necessary??

 

[Lenny HB]

I've got a voltronic mppt solar charger with gel setting apparently what about mains charger is that necessary??

If you use EHU yes see post #15

 

[Outdoors Dad]