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08-24-2017, 03:47 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 347
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Brands of AGM house batteries?
Hi all --
I'm planning another build, and need to select house batteries.
For sure I will use AGMs. About 200-220AHr total, either 2 12V or 2 6V (since i haven't built the battery box yet, I can go either way).
How does one select an AGM? Lifeline is a big name, but there are many others: Renogy, Universal, Concord, WindyNation, Interstate, Optima ....
The prices are all over the place. I'm not sure how to begin sorting out the best options in a quality vs price tradeoff.
BTW, these will be charged with about 200W of solar and an ACR from the alternator/van battery.
Help!
Thanks!
__________________
GreyDawg
2017 T-250 MR 148" 3.7L cargo van. Slowly becoming a campervan...
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08-24-2017, 04:02 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,185
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If nothing else, I would consider a brand that you could get replaced while on the road if you have an issue, just like my strategy for where to buy tires from. Getting a great deal up front is nice, but any warrantee won't do you much good if there's not an affiliated retailer nearby.
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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08-24-2017, 04:55 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 347
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That's a good point, Herb. As a self build, I won't have a vendor like SMB to turn to.
Does that pretty much mean that Lifeline is the way to go? I can't make heads nor tails off the Interstate website.
Sigh.
__________________
GreyDawg
2017 T-250 MR 148" 3.7L cargo van. Slowly becoming a campervan...
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08-24-2017, 05:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 4,215
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Brands of AGM house batteries?
I'm on year five with Duracell AGM marine/RV batteries from Sam's Club. I have three Group 31 batteries (105ah x 3 = 315ah total). They run about $180 each and have 18 month free replacement at any Sam's that carries them. I believe East Penn Battery (aka Deka) makes them. They used to only be available East of the Mississippi, but I think maybe nationwide now. I'm not very particular about charging them, but they have held up well.
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08-24-2017, 07:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 347
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Thanks, BrianW. I will look at Sam's Club and Costco
Are there other chains -- eg Sears-- with re-branded high quality batteries?
__________________
GreyDawg
2017 T-250 MR 148" 3.7L cargo van. Slowly becoming a campervan...
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08-24-2017, 07:33 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,103
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2017 T-250!! Congrats!! You gonna post a few pics???
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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08-24-2017, 07:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 347
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Hey there, BoyWonder!
Yep, pix eventually when I start a build thread. And figure out how to get pictures from my IPhone to the computer to the forum....
For now: it's GREEN!
Needs a name ....
__________________
GreyDawg
2017 T-250 MR 148" 3.7L cargo van. Slowly becoming a campervan...
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08-24-2017, 08:13 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 4,215
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreyDawg
Thanks, BrianW. I will look at Sam's Club and Costco
Are there other chains -- eg Sears-- with re-branded high quality batteries?
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I think Batteries+Plus also sells the Duracell AGMs.
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08-24-2017, 09:33 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,186
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Herb does make a really good point about replaceables, which is why I have (oddly?) felt comfortable with the starting batteries AAA has put in my vehicles when mine suddenly die on the road.
However, I did extensive research when I converted my boat to electric propulsion and came up with Lifeline as the best there is for AGM. Dang, those things have lived through flooding in the bilge and all kinds of stuff. And they just keep on going. They're more expensive than many but, to my mind, incredibly high quality.
As to cost... gee, we have multi-thousand dollar rigs here, so the idea of worrying about fifty or a hundred bucks here or there seems kinda silly to me. But, each has to make his and her own decision about that. Do look into Lifeline reviews, though. They're darn good.
.
__________________
"PhoTo" - 2014 Ford E350 5.4L RB - Agile 4x4 - CCV Poptop
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08-24-2017, 10:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianW
I think Batteries+Plus also sells the Duracell AGMs.
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Yes they do, and I recommend them. They're pretty much everywhere now (Batteries N Bulbs/Batteries Plus) and no membership is necessary.
Hey there Graydawg!
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