[bryguymi]

Hello gurus, Bryan here with coach #599. I need new house batteries. I have heard talk about AGM, lithium, or the standard flooded batteries. Your advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated as to the differences between the different styles.

[Chester Stone]

I tried twelve 6 cycle golf cart batteries which have not worked out very well. AGMs are probably the best but very expensive. I plan the replace my golf cart batteries with six 4D batteries. My research indicates to me that these are slightly smaller than the 8D batteries but appear to be true deep cycle batteries with a long hour amperage capacity.

[pestes]

Chester, I am curious what has not worked out well with the GC batteries. I used them in our travel trailer with good results. But of course the Newell is a whole different beast as far as sucking power compared to that small TT.

[House Divided]

After going through the same debate, we switched to AGM's last spring. So far so good. 

We don't dry camp and I'm not afraid to use the generator so spending the extra money for lithium or even top line AGM just didn't make sense for me. On the other hand, My battery bay was an absolute disaster from previous owner's issues with cooked lead acid batteries so a sealed AGM was easy for me to justify. I would like to never have to clean that up again.

I found 8d AGM'S on sale in Milwaukee area for $300 this spring so that was a pretty easy decision for me.

[HoosierDaddy]

My coach is all electric so between A/C and heat needs I run the generator most of the time when not hooked up to land line. I installed (2) 8D AGM's 2 years ago and have gotten along well. If the temperature allows we just run the TV , Satellite receiver , and Fridge for several hours in the evening with no problem. They will run the fridge if needed for a couple hours in warm weather.

[folivier]

Unfortunately the supplier where I bought my LiFePO4 cells are now bankrupt. The Winston factory in China is still producing them and there are a couple suppliers selling them but the prices are much higher now. When I built my 1000 amphour system the cost was the same as AGMs. A lithium system takes quite a bit of planning and understanding since the operating parameters are different.
Another option is adding solar panels which would cut down on the generator run time. But none of this is really applicable unless you dry camp quite often. As others have mentioned it is easier and cheaper to just run the generator.
On my LazyDaze I did add a battery watering system for my 2, count 'em, just 2, 6 volt golf cart batteries. Keeps the compartment cleaner and much easier to maintain wet cells. But when I replace them I will probably go to AGMS. Just much cleaner and practically no maintenance.

[prairieschooner]

I have Trojan T-105 "Golf Cart" batteries on our '82. They have worked out very well for us over the years BUT they do take maintenance and understanding. I do not leave my older Heart Inverter on Charge mode, I simply watch the voltage and switch it on/off as needed. While this is not for everyone but has worked for us for over 30 years in boats, motorhomes and trailers
If you want to just install & forget about them then the best bet is AGM. You do need to ensure that the charging is proper but no having to check the level & add Distilled water. The AGM batteries will cost much more but for some is worth the additional expense. Just do not know about Lithium so cannot advise.

[Rongripon]

Hello gurus, Bryan here with coach #599. I need new house batteries. I have heard talk about AGM, lithium, or the standard flooded batteries. Your advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated as to the differences between the different styles.

I contacted LIFELINE batteries in San Dimus, CA..Because we have so much draw on the system, I went with the 8D AGM. working fine.

[RussWhite]

This is certainly in the realm of personal preference. I never could totally control the corrosion from the flooded cell batteries and recently switched to Lifeline AGM batteries. The joy I get when I open that bay door and it looks like the day I installed them is worth the price for me. YMMV - Russ

[ccjohnson]

Russ,
I have had good luck adding about 2 oz of mineral oil to each cell in flooded lead acid batteries. It really helps with corrosion from out gassing spatter and I am amazed at how little distilled water I now have to add.