AGM batteries?

[jackhartjr]

This is truck related, however will bleed over to the bus someday.
I use 4 group 31 batteries.
What are thoughts to going with AGM's?
Running Maine I need as much cold cranking amps as possible!
I also don't want to have to worry about them letting me down! As I recall most of the folks obser this board that use them love them!!
Thanks in advance!
Jsck

[Jon]

The only consideration that has to be given is to insure the charging protocol is correct for AGM compared to what every type battery you use now.

Lead acid, AGM and Gel batteries have different charge voltages and in some cases the failure to set up the regulator, charger or inverter to those values could damage a set of batteries or shorten their life. The battery manufacturers supply charging information with the batteries for that purpose.

AGM are excellent not only because they are maintenance free, but because if properly maintained (there's that charging voltage thing again) they have a long life.

[TomC]

When Freightliner was having starting issues with batteries being blead down over a view days (was later determined to be faulty alternator regulators), they switched to AGM starting batteries (now have reverted back to any type of battery you desire). 31 AGM's are available in the 850cca range for starting batteries-of which 3400cca total is more then enough starting for cold weather. The only real consideration should be at the battery voltage sensing setting the alternator to charge no more then 14.1 volts (at the battery is a separate wire from the alternator to the battery for the most accurate voltage sensing).

Most standard wet batteries are of at least 950cca. We have cheap 31 starting batteries that are $85 ea. Although I'm an AGM fan for deep cycle-at only $85 ea-is AGM worth the extra cost for starting? You could also install a starting capacitor. Good Luck, TomC

[Seangie]

We threw an AGM in our tow vehicle so if the battery runs down below 50% while towing there is a better chance of bringing it back up to life with less chance of damaging the battery.  This would typically happen if we run our toads running lights off the toad battery at night.  Not often but so far we have had no issues where as the lead acid was always a pain to deal with.

-Sean


www.herdofturtles.org
1984 Eagle Model 10S

[muldoonman]

Sean, Don't know how they wireum but had falcon tow bar brackets installed on both vehicles 2013 Ford Edge and F 150 4x4 and just plug them up and go. Pass thur and all lights work. Had a CJ 7 years ago and would always have to start and charge along the way. It was a headache.

[Lin]

I really like AGM batteries.  We just bought three Group 31's for the house bank.  Our 2 8d starts needed to be changed also.  However, I was leaning to getting something a bit lighter this time.  Although I could not find a deal I liked on AGM's, it looked like some maintenance-free Group 31's would be a good compromise.  Since we are not doing any real cold country travel, and others have said that they manage fine on two 31's, I thought it was worth a try.  I must say it is nice not to have to engineer how I am going to remove and replace batteries.  We'll see how long they last, but I suspect I will get just as much use out of them as I did with the 8d's.