Quote:
Originally Posted by Airtandem
I converted to all sealed batteries (agm) because public transportation did NOT allow lead acid batteries on board due to the HYDROGEN gas given off that could cause explosion...
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'tandem...
agms ARE lead acid batteries and they CAN vent battery gases and DO that occasionally.
the water is
ABSORBED into a
GLASS
MATRIX/mat, instead of a freely floating POOL of water, but they still have water inside.
it's true they don't SPILL water and can tolerate positions that FLOODED LA batteries cannot.
http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
... there are many warnings on various threads an AGM must have a 3 stage charger...
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not from ne1 USING agms. unless they are just repeating vendor babble...
need examples of
vendor babble echo on any of a dozen parts issues ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
...that leads me to wonder whether an AGM is more sensitive to overcharging...
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CONTINOUSLY PLUGGED IN (as in for weeks and weeks) without a
12v draw there can be issues in HOT weather.
and simply left on LOW voltage trickle charging for weeks n weeks in COLD weather the batteries can be chronically UNDER charged.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
...So, is it absolutely necessary to have a 3 stage charger before converting to AGM's, or do you just have to be more (or the same) careful?...
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clearly it is NOT "absolutely necessary" and in many ways one can be LESS CAREFUL with agms since monitoring electrolyte levels isn't done
AND the agms can accept higher BULK charge voltage without boiling or overheating.
so the notion of 'careful' is STILL a part of owning/using agms, but
the parameters 2b 'careful' about shift.
a/s has been supplying agms with the solar package and p-lax C/C for a long time.
while they aren't rocket scientists, they have thunk this out.
MOST of
the p-lax bashing here is akin to the gym tire bashing.
with the same NON-DATA to support the failures and fueled by an occasional vendor supplying incomplete technical info...
then a few folks showntell their aftermarket upgrades (which may NOT be upgrades) and how LIFE is so much better post oem.
and the
"i need one of THOSE, my oem is crap" syndrome hits...
without ANY real understanding of the primary issues (b.bank size, pv panel size, wiring needs and EXPECTED usage n storage style)
we tend to believe that
changing a part of to something with a few more features, means THINKING LESS about the issue...
when most of the time it just means
ADDING new issues to think about, understand and monitor.
it is the WACK A MOLE game played with money and parts...
and as i teased about new C/C coming (which u found), unless the oem p-lax DIES today,
there is no need to tear it OUT a few weeks before the trayla goes into hybernation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
...Is a smart charger the same as a 3 stage charger? ...
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basically NO and explained elsewhere, but the term is often misused to confuse...
'smart' relates to add ons that can exercise the battery while in storage and reduce the risk of sulfation...
also explained in other threads.
br' has given u ALL the essential info WITHOUT vendor hype. your task is to really understand each TERM used in the explanation.
and most of the terms have good explanations recorded here already.
cheers
2air'