AGM vs LED

[Lumatic]

What will give you more bang for your buck, switching out all your incandescent bulbs to LEDs or switching the wet cell batteries to AGMs?

[mccrosti]

Led

[AWCHIEF]

Led

[HiJoeSilver]

LED's. Similar size AGM vs wet cell will have about the same amp hour rating, but the AGM you can discharge to about 80% discharge, a flooded cell can be discharged to about 50%, based on safety of battery life for both. So a similar size battery with 100AH rating, you'll get 30% more AH. LED's are about 80% more efficient than halogen and incandescent bulbs. So those 10-20 watt halogen bulbs become 1.5-3 watt led bulbs. So you're trading off 30% extra battery capacity for 80% less draw by the lights.
This is looking at the lights only perspecrtive, it doesn't take into account extra 30% power the AGM will get you for running the fridge, furnace, or other 12v loads.

[mandolindave]

But I got seven years out of my Optima AGMs, and didn't have to build another vented battery compartment to place a second batt.

I don't use the trailer lights much. and I spend most of my waking hours out side. I have been using solar powered LED garden lights. Zero drain on my house batts. For me it's enough light. Use them inside and out.

[gandttimes]

Led's


George

[mefly2]

LEDs are MUCH less expensive ...

[drboyd]

If the majority of your usage is lighting, you're much better off with LEDs. If your lighting use is slight but you're running the furnace blower and a couple CPAP machines quite a bit, AGMs could conceivably be a better deal.

Or do both.

[wahoonc]

LED's then upgrade to the AGM's when the time comes.

Aaron

[tsunami]

LED, but AGM is maintenance free, to a large degree and as has been stated before, ability to deep cycle the AGM.

[Wolfe]

LED's are low cost and Quick to put in and cut demand on the system.
Before AMG install a 4 stage charge controler is a must if the AMG's are to last.
Best is a Pure sine wave Inverter charger that output's 120 Volts AC.
then add 200-400 Wats of Solar to finish system mine has run 4+ years.
The best webb sight is A&M solar, read all of it before you start.

[BAB]

I opted to do ALL OF IT at one time with my new Classic. All of the OE lighting is LED (except for the Baraldi range hood -- for which I have already replaced the halogen bulbs). I added the Magnum MSH inverter...which has a highly sophisticated inverter/charger set-up, as well as a 600W AM Solar package. 4 Lifeline 6V AGM batteries which are INSIDE the trailer. Granted, a fair expense, but no trade-offs for off the grid trailering. Also, no worries about battery overcharging with a high-quality system. For dire straits or A/C, I have a Honda EU3000i Handi.

[Alphonse]

LEDs as first step.

[BoldAdventure]

I thought AGM's typically had less amp hours for the same size as their wet cell counter parts. This has been my experience.

Also, LED's first.