Anyone familiar with U.S. Battery agm's

[blue otter]

Getting ready for the 1st ever battery replacement, I'm looking at all brands of AGM.....i have severe space restrictions to add more AMP's. it appears US battery makes a nice fit.....is anyone familiar with their performance in a house bank?


thanks for any help

[john61ct]

Not known to be great for a true deep cycling application.

Stick with Lifetime, Odyssey or Northstar for best performance and long-term value - within AGM.

However, I only reco AGM if sealed really is necessary, FLA is much better value.

For those U.S. Battery makes excellent units.

Also Trojan, Deka/East Penn, Crown, Superior, with Rolls/Surette at the top.

The best battery value by far is Duracell (actually Deka/East Penn) FLA deep cycle golf cart batteries, 2x6V, around $200 per 200+AH @12V pair from BatteriesPlus or Sam's Club. Deka labeled same batts also sold at Lowes.

[CHM]

I had 4 6v for my house bank. They were fine. Lasted around 7 yrs. I used to live far from the marina so that is why I went AGM. Just switched to Sams Club flooded. Less than half the price and just fine.

[chef2sail]

We have 6-6 volt Lifeline AGM
Only AGM which can be equalized and desulfated
First set lasted 10 years...but you must spend time caring for the system

[SailtheWind]

Originally Posted by chef2sail

We have 6-6 volt Lifeline AGM
Only AGM which can be equalized and desulfated
First set lasted 10 years...but you must spend time caring for the system

Only AGM?
I believe that Wet cell or “flooded” batteries and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are both considered lead batteries and contain an electrolyte solution which causes a chemical reaction and produces electrons and therefore can be equalized.
I have equalized my Trojan flooded batteries for years.
I understand that an AGM battery can last two to three times as long as a flooded battery so from that perspective AGM are better than flooded.

[chef2sail]

Yes they are both lead batteries but only one manufacturer recommends AGM be equalized and Trojan recommends not.

While the last longer AGM have other advantages. Quicker to charger, less loss of charge at rest for long periods of time, can be stored on end or side, no acid leaking.


https://shop.pkys.com/Battery-Equalization_ep_44.html

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by SailtheWind

Only AGM?

Lifeline are the only AGM that should be equalised (controlled over voltage protocol).

Otherwise it is used for FLA, at least among true deep cycling batteries.

> I understand that an AGM battery can last two to three times as long as a flooded battery so from that perspective AGM are better than flooded

Completely false, in fact the opposite is true.

[Eleuthera 2014]

On the suggestion of a mate, BSC Electrical engineering and BSC Computer Engineering, we chose FullRiver.

Our finalists were Lifeline (MIL Spec) or FullRiver (not MIL spec but as my mate suggested, nearly same quality)

We are very satisfied and with 450W of solar, we run our fridge and freezer 24/7 and nearly always reach 100% after a sunny day. We do a full charge once a week with either of our battery chargers.

We have 8 X 105 Ah to 24 Volt ... so 420 Ah at 24V.

[Tx J]

Originally Posted by chef2sail

We have 6-6 volt Lifeline AGM
Only AGM which can be equalized and desulfated
First set lasted 10 years...but you must spend time caring for the system

Originally Posted by chef2sail

Yes they are both lead batteries but only one manufacturer recommends AGM be equalized and Trojan recommends not.

While the last longer AGM have other advantages. Quicker to charger, less loss of charge at rest for long periods of time, can be stored on end or side, no acid leaking.


https://shop.pkys.com/Battery-Equalization_ep_44.html

Originally Posted by john61ct

Lifeline are the only AGM that should be equalised (controlled over voltage protocol).

Otherwise it is used for FLA, at least among true deep cycling batteries.

> I understand that an AGM battery can last two to three times as long as a flooded battery so from that perspective AGM are better than flooded

Completely false, in fact the opposite is true.

There is at least one other battery manufacturer that specifies an equalization cycle for at least some of their AGM VRLAs, Leoch Battery, a serious player in the field; even specifying when and why.
Yes, not a well-known brand, but I own some and have been impressed. I've also looked at some of their other batteries and i have been planning to do a thread here about some very interesting stuff they make.

Source: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post3033160

Quote from the manual for their LPC12-100 AGM battery, basically a G-31, (one of hundreds of specialty, commercial, and general types they make),
the equalization voltage stated should be '2.40 ~2.50V/cell at 77°F (25°C)':

"Installation & Operation Guide "
(Reserve Power Batteries)
AGM VRLA
6.4.3 Equalization Charge Parameters:

Charging voltage
: 2.35 ~ 2.40V/cell (25°C)
 Maximal charging current
: 0.30C 10

 Temperature equalization parameter
: -3mV/cell(25°C)

 Variation scope of charging voltage
: ±0.02V/cell

Note:
Do not use equalization charging as the standard floating application. Adopt equalization charging under situations below:
1. Discharging capacity is below 80% of rated capacity.
2. Batteries hasn’t been used for more than 3 months.
3. Float voltage of battery unit is less than 2.18V/cell
4. Batteries have been floating for 3 ~ 6 months and found low voltage batteries in the string.
5. Batteries have been floating for a year.
6. Batteries supplementary charged before used.
7. After performing a capacity test.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by SailtheWind

I understand that an AGM battery can last two to three times as long as a flooded battery so from that perspective AGM are better than flooded.

Maybe, maybe not. Probably depends on conditions and actual users.... and then somewhat depends on whether one purchaes good AGMs or lesser quality AGMs.

-Chris