New Lifeline AGM 31 group depleted batteries

[F450Harley]

New 4 stage converter charger & 2 New but depleted Lifeline GPL-31T Batteries -2006 AS classic

I have two 31 group Lifeline AGMs bought a year ago with a depleted voltage as low as 5.3 v & 3.5 v. No charge on them since new and just took them out of the boxes for regular charging 2 days ago at the battery plus store near me. After two days of charging, they got 12.40 V and 12.6 V OCV respectively with 10.5 V @ Load. How do I get these batteries to 13 + OCV ? I read in Lifeline manual about Deep Discharge Recovery ? Are these batteries gone or put them in the AS and let my 4 stage Progressive Dynamic / Power max Boondocker go to work and hopefully I will be fine. Your input please. Thanks

[Moflash]

Make sure that you are using a AGM charger a regular battery charger will not work.

[lewster]

Unfortunately, your new 1 year old Lifelines may be toast. There is a specific procedure outlined in the Lifeline tech manual that is akin to 'equalizing' liquid lead acid batteries, though different, that can restore the full capacity that your batteries are now missing.

This is a very delicate procedure that involves putting a 'controlled' over-charge to the Lifelines at a very precise voltage and amperage. Standard converters will NOT perform thus task suitably.

The down side is the potential total ruination of your batteries if this CONDITIONING CHARGE is not applied correctly. Too much voltage or amperage will cause the one-way valve on a Lifeline to open, releasing hydrogen sulfide vapor.

This is not a problem with liquid lead acid batteries, as you simply add more distilled water back into the cells. This is not possible with a sealed AGM battery.

You need a variable DC power source for both voltage and amperage to perform the technique correctly. This is something left to a battery professional WITH EXPERIENCE in conditioning Lifeline batteries.

[F450Harley]

Originally Posted by lewster

Unfortunately, your new 1 year old Lifelines may be toast. There is a specific procedure outlined in the Lifeline tech manual that is akin to 'equalizing' liquid lead acid batteries, though different, that can restore the full capacity that your batteries are now missing.

This is a very delicate procedure that involves putting a 'controlled' over-charge to the Lifelines at a very precise voltage and amperage. Standard converters will NOT perform thus task suitably.

The down side is the potential total ruination of your batteries if this CONDITIONING CHARGE is not applied correctly. Too much voltage or amperage will cause the one-way valve on a Lifeline to open, releasing hydrogen sulfide vapor.

This is not a problem with liquid lead acid batteries, as you simply add more distilled water back into the cells. This is not possible with a sealed AGM battery.

You need a variable DC power source for both voltage and amperage to perform the technique correctly. This is something left to a battery professional WITH EXPERIENCE in conditioning Lifeline batteries.

Lewster,
Thank you so much for your candid advice. I will try and find a professional battery charging place, hope I get lucky. Thanks again.


MoFlash _ Appreciate your response and I will report back on my finding.

[Moflash]

The right charger is the key with this type of battery

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Moflash

The right charger is the key with this type of battery

While that is so true, when AGMs get depleted in this manner, only proper 'conditioning' will potentially bring them back to close to their original storage capacity. Without providing these batteries with this conditioning charge, they will re-charge, but to much lower voltage levels than new, providing diminished service.

AGM batteries (and Lifelines in particular), require a bulk/acceptance charge of 14.2-14.3 VDC AT 77ºF. This is extremely important, as lower voltages are required in higher ambient temperatures and greater voltage are required at lower temps. They should get a float charge at 13.2 VDC, again at 77ºF.

This is the primary reason that even good converters like the PD-9200 series (which do not provide the exact charge voltages needed for Lifelines, but are close)still do not compensate for temperature, but a quality inverter/charger like Magnum Energy does, and also has per-set charging profiles for the different types of deep cycle batteries found on RVs and boats.

[F450Harley]

Thanks all for your feedback. I replaced the batteries with 2 new Lifeline GPL-31XT (125AH each) and a 4 stage PowerMax Boomdocker. They are pretty heavy at 74 LBs each but they fit right in the OEM battery compartment without modification ( took the entire space with little breathing space top & sides). GPL -27, 31T and 31XT are all about same size. GPL-31T and GPL-31XT have the same dimensions but 31XT is 10LBs heavier and 20 Amp Hour more. Have a total of 250AH now compared to 180AH on 24 group stock. Furnace should run 2-3 days before recharging hopefully, will find out and report back.