Problem with factory AGM batteries

[mefly2]

Anyone else having problems with their AGM batts not holding a charge?
Ours have been that way since new delivery several years ago but dealer never has replacements in stock. Now the Lifelines will not even hold over night. They have been on an external agm charger when not in actual use … charger is powered on for 15 minutes per day via a timer.

The dealer wants another $450+ to replace. Should I look at Full Force AGMs?

[wulfraat]

Lifelines are the best AGMs out there. They were probably trashed / discharged to zero / 10.5 volts sitting on the dealer lot before your trailer was ever delivered to you - and the damage was done. It’s a know issue that parasitic draw will kill a buttery in 2 weeks if you don’t physically disconnect from the trailer. Common while they sit on dealer lots.

Discharging below 50% / 12.1 volts will terminate any lead acid battery by causing sulfation on the plates. Couple that we a crummy stock airstream charger (if you haven’t upgraded your converter) and it’s a bad recipe for lifespan / longevity.

Get some new lifelines, change your stock charger / converter to a progressive dynamics or boondocker and you’ll be good to go. You should get 3-5 years out of lifelines.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

Lifelines are the best AGMs out there... You should get 3-5 years out of lifelines.

That is what many folks say, but not born out by my experience. That is why I am asking for proven alternatives … I have few (zero) Lifeline dealers in my area. Local Airstream dealer doesn't stock and parts folks don't seem to even know what they are!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I have had no issues with the Lifeline AGM's and I have abused them. The bottom line is that any alternative you find will be *worse* than the Lifelines. If you got 6 months out of them, you will get 3 months out of the others ( on average ).

For about 2X the price quoted for the AGM replacement, you can get the same number of usable amp hours in Lithium. With a built in BMS ( battery management system ) they are a bit more bulletproof than a lead acid battery. You might / might not replace your charger / converter when you do the switch to Lithium. That would add another $200 or so. Of course you might do that when you replace the AGM's as well.

If the issue *is* parasitic draw, then you will have issues with whatever you go with.

Bob

[Paprika]

I second what Wulfraat said. Your original batteries were probably trashed by the dealer (it's very common; happened to me with Interstate batts).

You won't find any better AGMS than Lifeline's; I've used them for more than fifteen years in three different rigs, and if you treat them right they will hold up very well.

Treating them right means making sure your charger/converter follows Lifeline's specs for absorption and float voltage, etc. If it doesn't, replace it with one that does (e.g., Progressive Dynamics).

You don't need a local dealer. I buy from Powerstride; their prices are competitive and they ship anywhere in the US at no extra charge. (There are other online battery sellers with similar deals, but I'm familiar with PowerStride from long experience.)

Lithium (LiFePO4) has advantages, but the cost is much higher than AGMs, and correct charging is critical (and quite different from AGMs).

Hope this helps.

[Dremel]

"Ours have been that way since new delivery several years ago but dealer never has replacements in stock"

If you had them document this, then they should replace them for you.

But they would probably deny now. I personally would not give them any business if they did that to me. You can buy anywhere you want.
Possible bestconverter.com ?

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by mefly2

That is what many folks say, but not born out by my experience. That is why I am asking for proven alternatives … I have few (zero) Lifeline dealers in my area. Local Airstream dealer doesn't stock and parts folks don't seem to even know what they are!

I ordered mine online and they were shipped to my doorstep. Got the best price on the market by spending 5 minutes on google and installed them myself - takes about 15 minutes end to end to disconnect wires, pull the old ones, drop in the new ones and Re-connect the wires. Easy peasy.

After 3 years they were still holding 12.6 volts strong.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

"Dealer" can mean a couple of things. If dealer is the outfit that sold you the RV then sure, they don't have batteries in stock. For battery warranty stuff, one normally goes to a battery dealer. If you find one of those who has no stock on a specific battery, that is unusual but not impossible. The standard process in that case is to give you credit against what *is* in stock.

Bob

[GTL48]

Try Centexbatteries.com, Marc Kurth 903-603-6007. I replaced the factory batteries with Lifeline AGM's on our new Classic 33 and received a credit from the dealer as part of the sale. They kept and probably resold the lead acids. Centex is one of the largest Lifeline suppliers and there price was the best I could find. Received within a few days. You may also try calling Lifeline directly. I had a problem with one of 4 Lifeline AGM's on our boat several years ago and they replaced it with no fuss.

[VAtom]

Originally Posted by mefly2

Anyone else having problems with their AGM batts not holding a charge?
Ours have been that way since new delivery several years ago but dealer never has replacements in stock. Now the Lifelines will not even hold over night. They have been on an external agm charger when not in actual use … charger is powered on for 15 minutes per day via a timer.

The dealer wants another $450+ to replace. Should I look at Full Force AGMs?

If my battery box was outside like yours I would use flooded cell batteries, much cheaper than AGM and more forgiving, but they need maintenance.

This is a very good deal on your Lifeline AGM, however (Group 24?)
https://batteryguys.com/products/lif...nt=32270600516

I use Batteries+ Duracell AGM made by Deka. Batteries+ is everywhere and have a good warranty....but doesn't cover excess discharge. (No one does)
You get $20 off per battery if you order online and pick up in store.
They may not be good as Lifelines but mine are still working after toasting two sets of Lifelines.
They saved me $400 for my set of four, so I thought it was worth the risk.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/batter...4m/sli24magmdc

[Moflash]

Lifeline batteries have worked great for us

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by mefly2

Anyone else having problems with their AGM batts not holding a charge?
Ours have been that way since new delivery several years ago but dealer never has replacements in stock. Now the Lifelines will not even hold over night. They have been on an external agm charger when not in actual use … charger is powered on for 15 minutes per day via a timer.

The dealer wants another $450+ to replace. Should I look at Full Force AGMs?

******
These have a three warranty from the date of your trailer purchase. Three years and one hour late... good luck.

The Las Vegas Interstate Battery warehouse did not have any AGM batteries in stock. AGM's are in demand for Boats, so where there is water and boats... AGM batteries will be found. The retail dealers keep few on hand so they do not become dated for their own protection... I suppose.

The Las Vegas Interstate told be at the time the Lake Havasu, Arizona boat dealer had 15 or so on order... (April 2018). So, contact your local Interstate Battery Company office. They can get an up to date location of where AGM's may be found.

The battery will say AGM Marine... so it makes sense that few are to be found in the Deserts of Nevada.

[jackanddiane]

Which progressive charger/converter do you recommend ?

[Too tall]

Look for a drain. I'm too embarassed to tell you what caused me to think my AGMs were bad (brake safety interlink) groan.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Too tall

Look for a drain. I'm too embarassed to tell you what caused me to think my AGMs were bad (brake safety interlink) groan.

Hi

Somebody trips over the cable and you loose the batteries and start wondering about the brake solenoids being damaged ... yes indeed it *does* happen.

Bob

[Toasterlife]

Originally Posted by mefly2

Anyone else having problems with their AGM batts not holding a charge?
Ours have been that way since new delivery several years ago but dealer never has replacements in stock. Now the Lifelines will not even hold over night. They have been on an external agm charger when not in actual use … charger is powered on for 15 minutes per day via a timer.

The dealer wants another $450+ to replace. Should I look at Full Force AGMs?

Airstream electrics are their "Achillies heel" - Even with the disconnect switch there is a considerable parasitic draw. Few people have access to electricity when the unit is stored ( we have nice covered storage but it does not offer power) so for short term storage physically disconnect a battery terminal, and for longer term storage we pull the batteries and take them home and put them on a trickle charger, and I have a cardboard template with shoelaces to replace the batteries in the box to make figuring out which cable go where, I tie the cables to the 4 corners of the template...

Leaving them on a solar trickle charger might be an option, but we opted to pull the batteries instead.

It is a pain, but without a source of power for storage no way round the situation, regardless the variety of batteries used.

[mefly2]

Thanks for the feedback … transaction with the dealer is pending...
I will keep you informed.

[glcmranger]

JackandDiane: Go to Bestconverter.com. You want the PD4655V for 30 amp service. If 50 amp service, talk to Randy.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by jackanddiane

Which progressive charger/converter do you recommend ?

Hi

Unless you want to do a bunch of re-wiring, you go with the same current rating as the one that came with the trailer. 55A vs 60A is not a big deal. Going significantly larger will have you re-wiring a bunch of stuff. Whoever you decide to buy from should be able to point you at the one you want.

Bob