Upgrading View House batteries to AGM?

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cjshaker

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Does anyone know the suggested max house battery weight for the 2011 View 24K?

I'm considering upgrading to AGM batteries to get more capacity, and to avoid having to check water levels. They seem to be quite heavy, and I don't want to break the battery tray.

Is the stock converter safe for AGM batteries?

Thank you,
Chris Shaker
 
AGM batteries are usually about the same weight as the equivalent flooded cell batteries, so you shouldn't have a problem with the tray.  AGM batteries do require a lower float voltage than flooded cell batteries so unless your converter is a 3 stage one with the means to set the charging profile, you may have to replace it.  Even a few tenths of a volt too much in the float stage will shorten the life of an AGM battery.
 
According to the Trojan battery spec chart, their AGM batteries weigh about 5% more than a flooded battery with the same case size. That's about 2.5-3.0 lbs/battery for most sizes (other than the big 4D or 8D sizes).

While the optimum float charge voltage for an AGM is sometimes a couple tenths different than flooded cells (Lifeline suggest 13.2-13.4v), I don't think 13.6v is going to have any major effect. Trojan recommends the same values for both their Flooded and AGM batteries and in fact is 2.35 volts/cell or 14.1v, but sugests that float charge begin at a 80% on AGM versus 90% on Flooded.
 
I would call the manufacturer of your converter/charger and ask their opinion about floating AGM batteries.  I would certainly feel better about floating AGMs to Lifeline's recommendation.

A very worthy upgrade is AGM batteries and a three stage charger.
 
No problem adding the AGM batteries but you will need to change the battery hold down since AGM's are a bit taller than the OEM batteries that come with your View.
Better "bang for the buck" are a pair of 6v GC (golf cart) batteries from Costco or Sam's Club....you can purchase them for about $75 each...though you will still need to check the battery water level.
 
In my first set of 4 Lifeline AGM batteries, 2 failed in less than 4 years and I replaced the whole set.  I attribute the early failures to not using an AGM profile on my Heart charger and it was overcharging the batteries for those 4 years.  I subsequently had my charger controller reprogrammed to include an AGM profile which reduced the float voltage to the recommended 13.2-13.3V and the current batteries are as good as new after nearly 6 years.

Another possible source of overcharging AGM batteries is a solar controller that puts out too high a voltage.  My controller isn't adjustable so I've disconnected it except when we're boondocking to avoid overcharging from the solar panel.  AGM batteries are definitely more sensitive to overcharging than flooded cells.
 
We're at almost six years on our Lifeline AGMs and as far as I know, they're in great condition.  They have never been charged with anything other than our Xantrex which is set for AGM (other than the engine alternator.)

Not having to check water levels is reason enough for me to spend the extra bucks on AGM.
 
One guy installed these very spendy AGM batteries, which weigh 140 lbs each:

http://fireflyintegrations.com/images/stories/pdfs/EV4DA-A.pdf

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12821



I was thinking about installing two of these Lifeline GPL-6CT batteries, which weigh 90 lbs each:

http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvflyer.php?id=15



I use Concorde AGM batteries in two other vehicles with excellent results. They've lasted ten years in my old RV, with a Trace inverter doing the charging

Had a 145 watt Zamp solar cell and 30 amp charge controller installed in the View by my dealer. It has a switch that lets you select the charge rate for flooded cells, or lower for AGM.

Chris Shaker
 
Found this excellent website that talks you through replacing a converter with a three stage converter

http://home.earthlink.net/~whemme/


You can also ugrade your converter with less hacking with a kit from Best Converter

http://www.bestconverter.com/Magnetek-63007300-Upgrade-Kit_c_64.html


I like the idea of multistage charging, with temperature monitoring and compensation. If I'm going to spend a lot of money on AGM batteries, I want them to last

This sounds interesting:

http://www.bestconverter.com/4455TC-ParaMode-with-TempAssure_p_164.html


I have a Progressive Dynamics 9200 multi stage converter/charger on hand for another project that I could use. Has no temperature compensation, though.

Chris Shaker
 
I installed a PD4645 in my View...took about 2 hrs to R&R. I also have 2 100w solar panels from AM Solar along with a Trik L Start. I got rid of the extension cord that ran down my driveway...the solar takes care of my charging needs for coach and chassis batteries....a slick setup.

 
Turns out that my View currently has a Parallax Electronic model 7345, which seems to float the batteries around 13.6 volts. Here is the manual for the beast:

http://www.parallaxpower.com/7300/51092351-000%20rev%20G.pdf

I don't see any mention of AGM batteries, nor any mention of adjusting the float voltage.

It sounds like Parallax claims to be making an add on kit that will make their convertors do battery temperature compensation:

http://www.parallaxpower.com/products.htm

Have no idea if that will make it support AGM batteries, but it might be worth my calling ParallaxPower tommorow.


Progressive Dynamics also makes converter upgrade kits. Multi stage charging, with 13.2 vdc float:

http://www.progressivedyn.com/pd4600_converter_replacement.html


Turns out that the PDI convertor/charger I have is a 9260. They warn about not replacing chargers with larger amperage ones because you might overheat the wires. I assume that they are just talking about the wires going from the converter/charger to the battery?

Chris Shaker


cjshaker said:
I like the idea of multistage charging, with temperature monitoring and compensation. If I'm going to spend a lot of money on AGM batteries, I want them to last

This sounds interesting:

http://www.bestconverter.com/4455TC-ParaMode-with-TempAssure_p_164.html


I have a Progressive Dynamics 9200 multi stage converter/charger on hand for another project that I could use. Has no temperature compensation, though.

Chris Shaker
Click to expand...
 
I looked at the battery tray and took measurements this afternoon. It looks stout enough to hold whatever batteries we can cram in there.

After learning more, it becomes clear that the stock converter is not safe for AGM batteries. It does not appear to even be safe for wet cell batteries. It will boil them if left plugged in.

Life is too short for stupid battery chargers and the engineers who design them...

Chris Shaker



cjshaker said:
Does anyone know the suggested max house battery weight for the 2011 View 24K?

I'm considering upgrading to AGM batteries to get more capacity, and to avoid having to check water levels. They seem to be quite heavy, and I don't want to break the battery tray.

Is the stock converter safe for AGM batteries?

Thank you,
Chris Shaker
Click to expand...
 
My Xantrex RV2500 doesn't have an AGM charging profile either and I have all AGM house batteries. The coach came from the factory with AGMs and the RV2500 (though it is not surprising the factory doesn't read the instructions on installations). Have three years on this set so far.

I'm not saying that there is no benefit to having specific AGM charging parameters, but I don't think it is big deal either. I used AGMs in my previous coach without an AGM-specific charger either. Battery life seemed ok, but I traded the coach three years after installing the AGMs.
 
cjshaker said:
Turns out that the PDI convertor/charger I have is a 9260. They warn about not replacing chargers with larger amperage ones because you might overheat the wires. I assume that they are just talking about the wires going from the converter/charger to the battery?

Chris Shaker
Click to expand...

There are some View owners who have installed the PD4655 (55 amp) and PD9260 (60 amp) converter. I chose the PD4645 since it is a slide in replacement and rated the same amperage as the Parallax it replaced. You could install the higher amp converter and probably be fine but I do not think the extra 10 amp charging ability is going to quicken your charging time significantly. I play it "safe" :)
 
I'm still shaking my head over Winnebago using such a brain dead converter. The retail price difference between the two converters is very small.

I also decided to play it safe and order the 45 amp unit. Found that Amazon.com had a seller with a decent price for the 'Progressive Dynamics PD4645 4600 Series 45 Amp Converter Upgrade Section', with free shipping, and ordered it.

Cheapest place I could find the 6v 220ah Concorde Lifeline GPL-4CT Deep Cycle RV Battery was https://www.wholesalebatteriesdirect.com/ for $295 ea, delivered.

Chris Shaker
 
AGMs are very, very expensive, but the Concorde Lifeline is the best there is for a deep cycle AGM. Trojan makes one that is close - I have Group 31 Trojan AGMs in my rig.

You originally said you might upgrade to AGMs to get more capacity, but an AGM doesn't give more amp-hours than a flooded cell for any given case size. What you gain is zero maintenance and no outgassing while charging. Capacity is the same.
 
Gary RV Roamer said:
AGMs are very, very expensive, but the Concorde Lifeline is the best there is for a deep cycle AGM. Trojan makes one that is close - I have Group 31 Trojan AGMs in my rig.

You originally said you might upgrade to AGMs to get more capacity, but an AGM doesn't give more amp-hours than a flooded cell for any given case size. What you gain is zero maintenance and no outgassing while charging. Capacity is the same.
Click to expand...


Agreed. I hate checking battery levels.

Chris Shaker
 
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