Battery system upgrade questions

[Devin & Amy]

Hi all,

After having my incident with lead cell batteries , I am seriously considering the AGM type.
I know next to nothing of this as a system.
Are there different ways of doing the connections? i.e. the standard lead post.
Are they more efficient, and do they require different chargers?
How much do they cost?
Where are they for purchase?
What Amp hours do they provide?
How many do YOU use?
I am also going to purchase a new inverter, which one would be best for this new system?

I know, that's a lot of questions for one post, but what else are you gonna do tonight anyway?

Thanks in advance for any help you can send my way.

Devin

[TomC]

Devin- I use the Lifeline AGM 2-8D batteries for my deep cycle house use.  They are 255 amp hours each, weigh 155lb each and are around $250.00 ea.  Personally, I like the fact that they do not gas, so the terminals will hardly ever need cleaning.  Plus, you can mount them in any position (although they prefer that you don't mount them upside down). But you could mount them on end to save floor space.  They are much more effeicient, meaning you set your charger at a higher rate of charge.  When I had standard wet deep cycles, my Trace would only allow 50amps into them, whereas I now have it set at 90amps.  The voltage is what is important.  If I were to buy a new inverter it would be the Trace true sine wave with load sensing capability.  This means that if you are on a 30 amp power pole and you start drawing 40 amps, the inverter will kick in with the extra juice rather than blow the plug circut breaker.  Also can have automatic generator starting, but have to have an electronically controlled generator controls.  They have standard posts.  Highly recommend the Lifeling AGM batteries.  You could use the 6V batteries (4) for about the same amount of power.  Good Luck, TomC

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Devin,

Check out this link

http://www.marine-electronics.net/techarticle/battery_faq/b_faq.htm#6

Nick-