Equalizing AGM batteries December 10, 2010, 12:33:19 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118988Do AGM batteries need to be equalized? If so, how often, and what is the procedure?Virtual hugs,Judie (2005 RB) watching an eagle sitting on a big rock on the hillside in Verde Valley, Arizona
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #1 – December 10, 2010, 01:41:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118990"Do AGM batteries need to be equalized? If so, how often, and what is the procedure?"The manual for my Concorde Lifeline AGMs says: "Equalizing should only be done when the battery is showing symptoms of capacity loss, or from inadvertent deep discharges. In the event equalization is necessary, make sure to go through the normal charge cycle. Once the battery is fully charged, begin equalizing." On the other hand, a friend says that Concorde tech support recently told him to equalize about once a year. Procedure: the manual says to charge for 8 hours at 15.5V, but Concorde tech support told my friend to do it for only an hour or so. I'd be inclined to go with the shorter period. Prudence suggests that all 12V appliances should be disconnected when pushing such a high voltage through the system. Lightbulbs could burn out, and expensive electronic devices such as the refrigerator, furnace and water heater controller boards could be damaged by the overvoltage. I haven't tried this myself, but as my Lifeline AGMs are four years old, it's probably about time to do it. I'd be interested in hearing from those who have equalized AGMs.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #2 – December 10, 2010, 08:01:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118993Important correction: I wrote "Concorde tech support told my friend to [equalize] for only an hour or so." Actually, they told him SIX hours. Sorry for the error!Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #3 – December 11, 2010, 08:34:17 am Yahoo Message Number: 118996Equalizing???Always learning new things...That's brand new to me, what is the proceedure for doing it?I'm obviously long overdue having had the LD for 4 years now.Ed 94' 26.5' MidBath Red Lazy Daze named "TranQuility"
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #4 – December 11, 2010, 10:46:14 am Yahoo Message Number: 118997"That's brand new to me, what is the proceedure for doing it?" My post explained what the manufacturer of the most popular AGM batteries (Concorde Lifeline) recommends doing. However, that doesn't apply to the majority of LD owners who have flooded-cell (Trojan) batteries. Perhaps someone else can explain how to equalize those using the standard Parallax converter. I don't have either the standard batteries or standard converter, so I don't know.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #5 – December 11, 2010, 11:19:14 am Yahoo Message Number: 118998QuoteEqualizing???Always learning new things...That's brand new to me, what is the proceedure for doing it?I'm obviously long overdue having had the LD for 4 years now. The only way to equalize with a stock LD of that vintage would be to temporarily disconnect the batteries from the coach and use a sophisticated external battery charger with an 'equalize' function. This will extend the life a bit for batteries that are routinely and carefully maintained and rarely deep-discharged. For most folks, I wouldn't worry about it. AGM batteries, though, are insanely expensive, and it pays to do whatever possible to extend their life.Steve
Re: Equalizing AGM (Trojan) batteries Reply #6 – December 11, 2010, 12:05:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118999Quote Equalizing??? The only way to equalize with a stock LD... Those coaches equipped with solar panels using the old Heliotrope RV30 controller (sold by AM Solar) needn't worry. That controller equalizes the batteries for half an hour on any day that it manages to fully charge the batteries. This mode can be defeated but LD normally enabled it. I don't know about the Heliotrope HPV22. AM Solar's blurb doesn't mention equalization and its front panel does not seem to have any control for same. Perhaps someone with one can comment. There are other solar panel controllers like the Solar Boost 2000 that have a equalize mode on their front panel.Linley
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #7 – December 12, 2010, 08:59:18 am Yahoo Message Number: 119007"That's brand new to me, what is the proceedure for doing it?" My post explained what the manufacturer of the most popular AGM batteries (Concorde Lifeline) recommends doing. However, that doesn't apply to the majority of LD owners who have flooded-cell (Trojan) batteries. Perhaps someone else can explain how to equalize those using the standard Parallax converter. I don't have either the standard batteries or standard converter, so I don't know. AndySorry I didn't include what I currently had installed on my rig. Although I have a 94' that had the old 30 Amp Magnatek 6300 Series, Model 6336 Converter, I have the up-grade converter kit, The Progressive Dynamics Inteli-Power D4645 45 Amp with Charge Wizard with the addition of the Ultra Trik-L-Start for my vehicle battery. I do currently have the Trojan T-105's but will soon be getting AGM's in the next few months. How is the procedure done and when do you do the first equalization with brand new batteries and how often after that? I figured if I cared for them correctly from the beginning, the AGM's will provide better longevity!Thanks,Ed 94' 26.5' MidBath Red Lazy Daze named "TranQuility"[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #8 – December 12, 2010, 11:28:36 am Yahoo Message Number: 119008"How is the procedure done and when do you do the first equalization with brand new batteries and how often after that?" As I wrote in my message 118990, "Equalizing should only be done when the battery is showing symptoms of capacity loss" (quoting from the owner's manual that came with the Concorde Lifeline AGM batteries). You should NOT do this to brand new batteries. It'll be years before you need to equalize your AGMs. That same post and its followup #118993 spell out Concorde's recommendations for equalizing their AGMs: 15.5V for six hours. You'll need to read your Inteli-Power D4645 manual to determine how to make it do that.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #9 – December 12, 2010, 01:12:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 119009"I figured if I cared for them correctly from the beginning, the AGM's will provide better longevity!"Ed I wouldn't count on AGMs lasting a lot longer than a flooded-cell battery, enough to help defray the extreme cost difference. Except for not having to worry about watering, AGMs do not provide much extra usefulness, for LD usage, except for the few who have huge (100+amp) battery chargers or have added extra, unvented batteries, mounted inside the coach. I recently changed batteries and went with four Costco flooded-cell batteries. Going with AGMs would have cost three to four times more (as much as a set of tires), without much in the way of benefits. It would save me less than a half hour or so a year in watering time and that's it. Even if the Costco batteries last only half as long as AGMs, I'm still money ahead. Since I just shelled out $800 in parts to rebuild the brakes, money is a definite consideration. Many solar controllers provide equalization as part of their regular charging cycle. There is no way to use a standard Parallax converter for equalization without using an external charger.Larry2003 LD with NEW brakes. Photos to come.
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #10 – December 12, 2010, 01:16:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 119010"Larry" wrote: 2003 LD with NEW brakes. Photos to come.---- I am really looking forward to seeing the brake job photos! (Hmmmm....maybe I need to get out more! ;-) )Joan
Re: Equalizing AGM batteries Reply #11 – December 12, 2010, 10:34:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 119035"I am really looking forward to seeing the brake job photos! (Hmmmm....maybe I need to get out more! ;-) )"JoanAgreeSee the next message.Larry
AGM Batteries Reply #12 – December 12, 2010, 11:20:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 119037Hello everyone, This is my first post after 3+ years of reading every post. I have a 2000 30 IB Lazydaze with 3 solar panels and 6 AGM batts. I just change all 6 after ten years of excellent service. I never had to do a thing to them in the 10 years. My system is automatic on watching them whether from rthe solar or generator, or shore power.. It does push our weight, but we have done considerable to our cabin in the desert, woods, mountains, and anywhere we want to be. Again, If I get another ten years I will be thank full. They told me 7 years is about normal. Thank You freinds who LOVE there LAZYDAZES. Ralph Amstutz[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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