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07-08-2022, 11:47 AM
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#1
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New Member
2021 22' Caravel
Altamonte Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 4
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Determining when to replace AGM batteries.
We have a 2021 Caravel 22FB purchased new in September 2020. Unit has factory solar roof panel so in theory it should keep the batteries topped off since we live in FL and the trailer is stored outside, but I have noticed in the last few months that the battery monitor indicates a max of about 11.6 volts even after being connected to shore power for several days and sometimes gets as low as 10.4 volts. Is it time for me to replace the original Lifeline GPL-24T batteries and if so, is it best to go with the exact same batteries or are there better brands/options available? I will just add we have no desire at this time to convert Lithium Ion batteries. Appreciate any guidance you all may have.
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07-08-2022, 12:44 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
2019 27' Globetrotter
McHenry
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,603
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Contact Lifeline regarding pro-rated warranty
Lifeline has a good track record of standing behind their products. I’d start by contacting them about troubleshooting if you have a bad battery. It’s possible one has a bad cell or two which would degrade the voltage of both.
Here’s their warranty webpage.
Our previous AS had Interstate flooded lead acid batteries that were abused before we bought the trailer new. They were both replaced under warranty at no cost. Airstream finally figured out this was a common problem and stopped shipping new trailers with batteries pre-installed. The selling dealer now installs batteries.
__________________
2019 27’ Globetrotter FBT Walnut/Dublin Slate
2018 FC23FB
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Laramie Blue Ox 1000#
WBCCI# 10258
RETIRED!
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07-08-2022, 01:18 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member 
2018 30' International
Currently Looking...
Southern Pines
, North Carolina
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 55
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I would guess your batteries are fine. I had a similar problem in a 2019 unit that was barely running the furnace overnight on two AGMs. I replaced the AGMs and had same low voltage issues. Turned out it was the cheap solar controller installed at the factory.
I replaced it with a Victron solar controller. It is fully programmable via an app. Lifeline has a 25 page white paper online specifying AGM recharge voltage, duration, bulk, absorption, and float voltages etc... The factory solar controller didn’t even come close to meeting Lifelines charging specs for AGMs. The solar charging system and batt’s were all factory installed — so a bit of a disappointment given it is a 110k trailer.
AGMs need +/- 14v (temp dependent) during bulk charge cycle. The factory solar controller in our trailer cycled off at 12.7v and was not adjustable. Frankly it was a piece of junk. The Victron controller was a game changer for our factory solar system
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07-08-2022, 02:37 PM
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#4
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Site Team

1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 6,362
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Not sure it's time to replace the batteries, but it is time to get them tested to make sure you don't have a short or dead cell.
If the batteries test okay (and I suspect they will) then the problem lies either with your converter or the solar charge converter, depending on which you're depending on to keep the batteries topped off.
You mentioned that the voltage was dropping while plugged into shore power. Check the breaker to the converter, and check that the use/store switch is in the correct position. There should be 13+ volts in the system if your converter is running and connected, and other than a seriously defective battery that's where I'd be looking.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 'Gertie' Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8 'Bert'
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser 'The Bus' (Sold)
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07-08-2022, 05:39 PM
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#5
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 16,742
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Hi
There are a *lot* of possibilities here ....
1) The voltage reading on the battery monitor may be wrong ( = check at the battery with a multimeter ).
2) The converter / charger may be fried ( = check it's input and output voltages / currents )
3) The one of the batteries might have a problem ( = run them over to a shop and get them checked )
4) A fuse might be blown
5) A disconnect switch might be open
6) A wire might be loose .... ( and on and on and on).
First step is to grab the multimeter and start taking some readings.
Bob
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07-09-2022, 09:43 AM
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#6
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New Member
2021 22' Caravel
Altamonte Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 4
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Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions and advice. I will get to work on testing as suggested and see what that reveals.
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07-09-2022, 11:03 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member 
1978 31' Sovereign
Green Valley Lake
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 247
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ASAP
Once you go LiFePo, you never go back.
I put it off for too long but the AGMs got weaker and weaker, so I bit the bullet. Swapping AGM for LiFePo is life changing. Quit messing around. You'll be glad you did.
And get another panel or two. One panel isn't really enough, even in the Sunshine State.
p.s. even some of the cheapo solar controllers (mppt recommended) can be adjusted for correct voltage. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg for this solution.
Good luck!
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07-09-2022, 11:11 AM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member 
2020 30' Flying Cloud
2020 FC 30 Bunk
, Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NC-Serenity
I would guess your batteries are fine. I had a similar problem in a 2019 unit that was barely running the furnace overnight on two AGMs. I replaced the AGMs and had same low voltage issues. Turned out it was the cheap solar controller installed at the factory.
I replaced it with a Victron solar controller. It is fully programmable via an app. Lifeline has a 25 page white paper online specifying AGM recharge voltage, duration, bulk, absorption, and float voltages etc... The factory solar controller didn’t even come close to meeting Lifelines charging specs for AGMs. The solar charging system and batt’s were all factory installed — so a bit of a disappointment given it is a 110k trailer.
AGMs need +/- 14v (temp dependent) during bulk charge cycle. The factory solar controller in our trailer cycled off at 12.7v and was not adjustable. Frankly it was a piece of junk. The Victron controller was a game changer for our factory solar system
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May I ask which victory controller you used?
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07-09-2022, 01:57 PM
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#9
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 16,742
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Farrgramm
May I ask which victory controller you used?
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Hi
The Victron solar controllers come in two flavors:
1) The less expensive version without Bluetooth ( = Blue Solar )
2) The less expensive version with Bluetooth ( = Smart Solar )
How can *both* be less expensive?
Once you put the add on Bluetooth dongle on the cheaper one, it is more expensive than the other one. Since you loose the control panel when you add the dongle it's sort of a double whammy. Get the Smart Solar version ....
Which one you get is highly dependent on the number of panels you decide to run. More panels means more amps. More amps gets you a bigger controller. The 35A and 50A versions are pretty popular.
They come in various voltage ratings. For normal RV installations, that part does not matter. Get whichever one is cheaper. Yes if you decide to go with series panels it might matter. That's not how most folks do things on an RV.
Bob
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07-09-2022, 02:28 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member 
Napa
, California
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 484
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We have a 2019 (got it in 2018) with solar and AGM batteries and they are still working just great. It is stored outside in the full sun and rarely gets plugged in. We thought after three years we'd need to replace them, but not yet. They have performed remarkably well.
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07-09-2022, 02:41 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member 
2018 30' International
Currently Looking...
Southern Pines
, North Carolina
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 55
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Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 100V 20 amp 12-24-48 Volt Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) $157 on Amazon
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07-17-2022, 12:39 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member 
2018 22' Sport
Beaconsfield
, Quebec
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 43
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I had the same issue with my batteries not fully charging with my solar factory 90w panel and controller. The factory solar controller never constantly charged the batteries, forcing me to plug in offshore power once in awhile when the battery levels got too low. I also changed for the Victron SmartSolar MPPT100 controller and now the batteries are constantly fully charged by the solar panel with no need to plug in. Wish I had done this years ago.
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07-17-2022, 01:20 PM
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#13
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 16,742
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Hi
To actually answer the question asked in the title of the thread:
AGM batteries (properly cared for) should be good for 5+ years in normal use. Yes, you can kill them. Running them at low voltage for a long time is not good for them.
If you replace batteries the best approach is to replace both of them at once. That way they are more likely to share the work load and live a long life.
Batteries do have warranties. Taking them over to get tested just might get you a replacement if they are new enough. It might get you some money off a new one if they have been around a while. Getting both batteries in a pair replaced when only one is bad ... most warranties are not that generous.
There are a couple ways to test batteries. One is a "cranking test". This is how car batteries are tested. You charge it up and see what if it puts out this or that max current for a short while. That's pretty much irrelevant for an RV battery. Its a fast test and that's why the shop likes testing that way. The other way to test is a load test / capacity test. You charge the battery and they see if it handles this or that load for many hours ( say 20 hours ...). Not as quick to do. Much better for testing an RV battery.
Some ( but not all ) AGM manufacturers want you to do an "equalization" charge on the battery once in a great while ( like every year or three ). Best to do this with the battery out of the trailer and use a device that is designed for the process. Equalize each battery by it's self.
So now you know far more than any rational person would ever want to know about this. Way simpler to just let the shop deal with it
Bob
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07-17-2022, 05:45 PM
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#14
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SophieHaus
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2007 25' International CCD FB
2006 23' Safari SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 121
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Lithium replacement
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrinceGT350
We have a 2021 Caravel 22FB purchased new in September 2020. Unit has factory solar roof panel so in theory it should keep the batteries topped off since we live in FL and the trailer is stored outside, but I have noticed in the last few months that the battery monitor indicates a max of about 11.6 volts even after being connected to shore power for several days and sometimes gets as low as 10.4 volts. Is it time for me to replace the original Lifeline GPL-24T batteries and if so, is it best to go with the exact same batteries or are there better brands/options available? I will just add we have no desire at this time to convert Lithium Ion batteries. Appreciate any guidance you all may have.
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I never had a problem with my Atkinson solar controller ( made in USA). After 4+ years my agm batteries died and so did my WFCO converter ( made in China). I replaced my WFCO converter with a new WFCO lithium converter for simplistic reasons. I also replaced my existing Atkinson solar controller (wet batteries only) with a new Atkinson lithium solar controller also made in the USA. Lastly I replaced my agm’s with two 75 ah Battle Born batteries. I did the entire project for $1750. It would have cost me $900 to replace my Lifelines with the same batteries and my defunct converter. So I built a lithium system for an extra $850. At least that’s the way I justified it. Lol
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