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08-20-2011, 08:00 PM
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#21
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2 Rivet Member 
2009 25' FB Flying Cloud
Mercer Island
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 22
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I vote for the AGMs. I neglected mine over the winter and returned them and was talked into the standard deep cycle marine batteries. These last barely through the night and don't hold a charge near as well as the AGMs. Spend the extra money.
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08-20-2011, 09:14 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master 
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada
, California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
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Lots of discussion about Amp Hours, system loads, etc...
The fact remains that Optima Blue Top Deep Cycle batteries DO NOT have the capacity of rectangular, 'flat plate' batteries!
The 10 inch Optima's are rated at only 55 Amp Hrs - a Group 24 flooded cell battery of the same size can be rated up to 80 Amp Hrs - that 45% MORE capacity...!
If you can fit the 12 inch Group 27's into your battery box, you can get up to 105 Amp Hours per battery...
The additional Amp Hour rating can be a big deal when boon-docking! Also, charging each day with your generator goes a long way to avoid an undercharged condition...
__________________
Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
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08-21-2011, 06:45 AM
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#23
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A girl and an Airstream
1993 29' Excella
dunnegan
, Missouri
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 99
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Nobody has mentioned that keeping them charged without discharge can affect performance too. What about that? I'm just saying'....
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08-21-2011, 07:32 AM
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#25
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A girl and an Airstream
1993 29' Excella
dunnegan
, Missouri
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 99
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How did you know which ones to buy?
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08-21-2011, 08:10 AM
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#26
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Tried a warm white square cluster for the stove light, not bright enough,
changed it out for the bright white.
Used the "puck" style warm white for the for all the interior overheads.... don't think the round cluster would fit the fixture for the outside compartments.
The bright white 20 cluster tower seemed like a better fit for them.
Bob
Past lesson learned...if your changing your outside bulbs, they will be much brighter and look better if you match bulb color to lens color.
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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08-21-2011, 08:17 AM
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#27
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Oracle
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mexray
Lots of discussion about Amp Hours, system loads, etc...
The fact remains that Optima Blue Top Deep Cycle batteries DO NOT have the capacity of rectangular, 'flat plate' batteries!
The 10 inch Optima's are rated at only 55 Amp Hrs - a Group 24 flooded cell battery of the same size can be rated up to 80 Amp Hrs - that 45% MORE capacity...!
If you can fit the 12 inch Group 27's into your battery box, you can get up to 105 Amp Hours per battery...
The additional Amp Hour rating can be a big deal when boon-docking! Also, charging each day with your generator goes a long way to avoid an undercharged condition...
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Thank you Mexray, I was wondering when someone was going to point that out. 
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08-21-2011, 08:22 AM
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#28
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 811
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mexray
Lots of discussion about Amp Hours, system loads, etc...
The fact remains that Optima Blue Top Deep Cycle batteries DO NOT have the capacity of rectangular, 'flat plate' batteries!
The 10 inch Optima's are rated at only 55 Amp Hrs - a Group 24 flooded cell battery of the same size can be rated up to 80 Amp Hrs - that 45% MORE capacity...!
If you can fit the 12 inch Group 27's into your battery box, you can get up to 105 Amp Hours per battery...
The additional Amp Hour rating can be a big deal when boon-docking! Also, charging each day with your generator goes a long way to avoid an undercharged condition...
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That is all true.
Assuming perfect maintenance, agms and flooded cells last about the same time but I always forget to add water, or use tap water instead of distilled and shorten the life of my flooded cells. However, they are about half the cost of agm's
I am going to upgrade my stock converter to a phased converter charger. The stock converter always dumps a full charge into the batteries and will kill them in a hurry if your trailer is always plugged in. In the meantime, the only time my trailer is plugged into shore power is when I am recharging the batteries or the few times I am in a campground hooked up to shore power.
Two 6 volt golf cart batteries will supply more amp hours than two twelve volts of the same dimensions.
If you rebuild the battery box, there is space for even bigger batteries--a thought if you are going to boondock long term.
I am going to experiment with a wind charger. I believe it will plug in to the 12 volt power recepticle. Between it and my solar panel, I should have enough juice to eliminate or greatly reduce my generator run time.
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08-21-2011, 08:48 AM
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#29
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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[QUOTE=handn
I am going to experiment with a wind charger. I believe it will plug in to the 12 volt power recepticle. Between it and my solar panel, I should have enough juice to eliminate or greatly reduce my generator run time.[/QUOTE]
I tried this unit. Turned out to be a little to impractical for the way we camp. Luckily after experimenting with it for a week I was able to return it to Northern Tool.
The tower really has to be at least 30'(17lbs at the top  ) and would require storing and carting even more stuff.
Plus I think the 400w was only available at 15mph+ wind speed.
It was a quality product though and would be very good in some applications.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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08-21-2011, 09:14 AM
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#30
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Rivet Master
1975 29' Ambassador
Reno
, Nevada
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,351
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All lead acid batteries have about the same energy storage density.
All lead acid batteries need proper maintenance.
If you find your batteries are not providing good service, look to your use and maintenance first.
If you find you need to add water frequently - fix your charging and maintenance system as it is overcharging your batteries.
Yes, you can go chasing after nirvana seeking to solve all your battery woes by getting 6v batteries or AGM's or brand x or y but such an effort is of no practical value. They all need proper maintenance and use to be able to provide good service and the differences between lead acid batteries of different voltages or types are smaller than the differences from other factors.
If you want to make a big difference, don't neglect your batteries over winter. Use equipment that will charge them properly and maintain them properly. Don't abuse them with excess cycle depth, heat, excessive currents, and other such misuse.
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