AGM batteries April 10, 2025, 12:26:57 pm I have two 6-volt Lifeline AGM batteries in my 2021 Lazy Daze MB.They are kept charged by the two solar panels on the roof when we're not traveling. I've never had AGM batteries and was wondering what the lifespan is? 1 Likes
Re: AGM batteries Reply #1 – April 10, 2025, 12:47:49 pm I have seen AGMs fail in three years and others last 8-10 years. Most AGMs last 5-7 years.Replace them with lithium when the day comes. AGMs are obsolete for coach batteries.A battery monitor is handy for keeping an eye on battery performance.Larry 4 Likes
Re: AGM batteries Reply #2 – April 10, 2025, 12:52:42 pm Quote from: Larry W - April 10, 2025, 12:47:49 pmI have seen AGMs fail in three years and others last 8-10 years. Most AGMs last 5-7 years.Replace them with lithium when the day comes. AGMs are obsolete for coach batteries.A battery monitor is handy for keeping an eye on battery performance.Larry What's the lithium lifespan?
Re: AGM batteries Reply #3 – April 10, 2025, 01:05:55 pm Quote from: tedeboy - April 10, 2025, 12:52:42 pmWhat's the lithium lifespan?No one knows for sure, they have not been used that long in RVs. Manufacturers claim a ten-year lifespan.Our 3+ year old lithiums show no change in their performance.Larry
Re: AGM batteries Reply #4 – April 10, 2025, 02:15:25 pm Quote from: Larry W - April 10, 2025, 01:05:55 pmNo one knows for sure, they have not been used that long in RVs. Manufacturers claim a ten-year lifespan.Our 3+ year old lithiums show no change in their performance.LarryA few things. Would I need to change out my electrical box charger unit?Do all lithium batteries have an on/off switch on them and are they also smart so that they can be monitored via a phone app?
Re: AGM batteries Reply #5 – April 10, 2025, 10:33:09 pm "Would I need to change out my electrical box charger unit?"Probably, if you have the standard Parallax "brown box" power center that Lazy Daze installed. Lithium batteries need to be charged at somewhat different voltages than lead-acid batteries. Some manufacturers (e.g., Battle Born) will claim that it doesn't matter, but that's their marketing department talking--not their engineers. You'll get longer life from your lithium batteries if you charge them according to their manufacturers' recommendations."Do all lithium batteries have an on/off switch on them and are they also smart so that they can be monitored via a phone app?"No and no. As far as I've seen, most lithium batteries don't have an on/off switch. You should have a master battery switch in any case, so on/off switches on batteries are mostly redundant.Bluetooth "smart" capability is getting to be common, but you can't take it for granted--be sure to read the spec sheet. I wouldn't buy a lithium battery that lacked this feature. 1 Likes
Re: AGM batteries Reply #6 – April 10, 2025, 11:24:12 pm Here are a couple threads that may be helpful:Lithium Battery QuestionSolar Upgrade
Re: AGM batteries Reply #7 – April 11, 2025, 01:09:28 am So Andy, I noticed there are several variations of Blue Sea switches. Is this switch with a simple on-off selector the appropriate one for two (or more) batteries wired in parallel?Amazon.com : Blue Sea Systems 6006 m-Series Battery Switch ON/OFF with Knob,... As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: AGM batteries Reply #8 – April 11, 2025, 11:13:01 am Yes. I've used a number of those over the years, and currently have two: one is my master battery switch, while the other controls power to my 1,000 W inverter. Specs are 300 A continuous, 48 VDC max, which should be fine for two batteries in parallel unless they're really big ones.Be sure to note Amazon's product warning:WARNING:CHOKING HAZARD -- This toy is a marble. Not for children under 3 yrs.So keep it away from your kids, LOL! 1 Likes
Re: AGM batteries Reply #9 – April 11, 2025, 11:27:09 am Quote from: Andy Baird - April 11, 2025, 11:13:01 amYes. I've used a number of those over the years, and currently have two: one is my master battery switch, while the other controls power to my 1,000 W inverter. Specs are 300 A continuous, 48 VDC max, which should be fine for two batteries in series unless they're really big ones.Be sure to note Amazon's product warning:WARNING:CHOKING HAZARD -- This toy is a marble. Not for children under 3 yrs.So keep it away from your kids, LOL!That’s funny, I didn’t notice the warning but will be sure to heed it if I purchase it. 👍I recently had two 12V lithium batteries installed (in parallel) to replace the factory 6V AGM’s. I had the installer reinstall the factory battery cutoff switch which was pointed out to me at the Morro Bay GTG was not very reliable so am looking to upgrade to a Blue Sea switch. 1 Likes
Re: AGM batteries Reply #10 – April 11, 2025, 12:15:01 pm Hi Greg; The fact that the two batteries you have are wired in parallel, doesn't matter to the On-Off switch you pictured, other than being able to safely handle the maximum current flow of both batteries combined. I used the 300A switch pictured as Andy did for my 2+kw. inverter. Inverters have large internal capacitors that stay charged to condition the power before it gets to the internal circuitry. These capacitors can have a large flow, but only for a few milliseconds on initially being energized. Inverters with remote control panels are really on all of the time, like a TV with a remote, but are just 'listening' for the power on command from the remote panel. For shut off switches for two batteries I used this one. Amazon.com: Blue Sea Systems 9001E e-Series Battery Switch, Selector 4... If one of the batteries were misbehaving or there was some defect in the wiring, I could continue operating on just one. This switch has a make before break feature, that momentarily shorts the two batteries together, so that the load (the coach) doesn't go without power during the switchover. Normally both batteries are fully connected together. (1+2) This of course would require you to add extra wiring, and isn't what you need. So what was wrong with the switch your installer used? RonB p.s. Andy meant 'connected in parallel' 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: AGM batteries Reply #11 – April 11, 2025, 12:27:14 pm Thanks for the clarification, Ron. Nothing wrong with the existing factory battery switch (which I had Discount Solar reinstall after upgrading to lithium) but it’s been suggested that the Blue Sea switch would be a good upgrade. Here’s what is installed now:
Re: AGM batteries Reply #12 – April 11, 2025, 03:14:24 pm Here is the Hella battery switch LD installed.Amazon.com: HELLA 002843011 2843 Series 100A Rating Battery Master Switch :...It is rated for 100-amps; your whole house inverter can draw 140-amps or more when running the microwave.I have replaced several of these switches when their contacts failed, they are a cheap, unsealed switch.You need a battery switch rated for a minimum of 200-amps or higher.Larry 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: AGM batteries Reply #13 – April 11, 2025, 04:46:53 pm I agree with Larry--the factory-installed Hella battery cutoff switch (the same one installed by Discount Solar) is, bluntly speaking, crap."p.s. Andy meant 'connected in parallel' "So I did--thanks for catching that, Ron! I've corrected my post.Although come to think of it, that Blue Sea switch's 48 VDC rating would also be fine for two batteries connected in series. :-) But I meant to write "parallel." 1 Likes
Re: AGM batteries Reply #14 – April 11, 2025, 05:51:53 pm Thanks all. Just ordered the Blue Sea ON-OFF only switch.TEDEBOY, my apologies for hijacking your thread! My AGM's were replaced at about 6 1/2 years old. They were still holding a charge but I was constantly worried they would crap out on me at an inopportune time. Decided that lithium was the way to go. The brand I purchased (US Battery) was just a littler costlier than the Lifeline AGM's, but less expensive brands are available. They have a Bluetooth accessible BMS, an ON-OFF switch on top, and are self-heating. They are the same physical size as the factory AGM's so nicely fit in the stock battery box:https://www.usbattery.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/US_12VG24_3_25.2.pdf 1 Likes
Re: AGM batteries Reply #15 – April 11, 2025, 07:43:32 pm I'm still rocking Trojan T 105 wet batteries.I get about 8 years from a set, my usage isn't very high and they seem to not need water very often.Twice a year I check and add some.I always thought that once AGM batteries came down in price I would upgrade for the convenience.That really didn't happen but it seems Lithium has made it more simple of a choice.My next set will be Lithium, they are actually cheaper now than the other two choices.Amazing what a few years can do. 3 Likes
Re: AGM batteries Reply #16 – April 12, 2025, 09:05:51 am Quote from: Jota - April 11, 2025, 07:43:32 pmI'm still rocking Trojan T 105 wet batteries.I get about 8 years from a set, my usage isn't very high and they seem to not need water very often.Twice a year I check and add some.I always thought that once AGM batteries came down in price I would upgrade for the convenience.That really didn't happen but it seems Lithium has made it more simple of a choice.My next set will be Lithium, they are actually cheaper now than the other two choices.Amazing what a few years can do.I started a comment yesterday, but then said nah.I was going to tell my story. When I bought my 1999 in November 2019 the Trojan T 105 were swollen. I had many other things to do and I didn't want to look into upgrading, so I bought two of the Trojan for $108 each from a golf cart place down the road. I figured when they went bad I would look into a change. A few years later I had to replace the original converter, I went with one from Bestconverter. I am on about 5.5 years on the batteries. My LD has two solar panels from the factory. So far I don't see the need for anything else. One time we did 3 nights in Florida in the winter with no electricity. In the near future we will do our long trip to KS with most of the overnight stops being without electricity. We use some lights that I have replaced with led bulbs and we have run an exhaust fan all night as well as a 20" 120v floor fan. I love the was we are fully charge when we stop from the 5 hours of driving. In the beginning (first 6 months) I didn't have a disconnect switch and maybe could have checked the water sooner. Since then though they are disconnected when at home and the water checked every 30 days and before we head out somewhere. 3 Likes
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