Lead Acid Group 24 to AGM (lifeline) OE Wiring?

[paul29]

Hello. I'm a newb to this forum...and a newb to AS (2 years in now and learning (sometimes painfully) everyday... I have perused it quite a bit and find the content and member contributions very valuable, so I have joined and this is my first post.

I have a 2019 27 Int'l Signature with the stock Interstate Group 24 SRM lead acid batteries. These are shot, and i'm replacing with group 24 AGM. I'd like to go with Lifeline GPL-24T-AGM. The Interstates are dual terminal batteries whereas the Lifelines are single terminal. Has anyone done this install or seen threads to the same - i specifically interested in the OE wiring and how it connects with the single terminals on the Lifeline. The current OE wiring has top post battery terminal connections that snug to the auto posts of the Interstate battery -- trying to figure out if they connect somehow to the Lifeline or if a modified wiring setup is required?

FWIW, I've explored Lithium/solar options (down the path w/ Battleborn, Expion, Victron, etc) but at this stage, for how i use the trailer, its not something i'm going to do so i'm just interested in the lead acid to agm conversion using stock oe harness or other simple solution. Thanks for any/all feedback. -Paul

[ROBERT CROSS]

All batteries Have two a Pos & Neg... The wiring would be the same.

Bob
🇺🇸

[JeffofCT]

Originally Posted by paul29

Hello. I'm a newb to this forum...and a newb to AS (2 years in now and learning (sometimes painfully) everyday... I have perused it quite a bit and find the content and member contributions very valuable, so I have joined and this is my first post.

I have a 2019 27 Int'l Signature with the stock Interstate Group 24 SRM lead acid batteries. These are shot, and i'm replacing with group 24 AGM. I'd like to go with Lifeline GPL-24T-AGM. The Interstates are dual terminal batteries whereas the Lifelines are single terminal. Has anyone done this install or seen threads to the same - i specifically interested in the OE wiring and how it connects with the single terminals on the Lifeline. The current OE wiring has top post battery terminal connections that snug to the auto posts of the Interstate battery -- trying to figure out if they connect somehow to the Lifeline or if a modified wiring setup is required?

FWIW, I've explored Lithium/solar options (down the path w/ Battleborn, Expion, Victron, etc) but at this stage, for how i use the trailer, its not something i'm going to do so i'm just interested in the lead acid to agm conversion using stock oe harness or other simple solution. Thanks for any/all feedback. -Paul

Welcome.

Regarding your current stock Interstate batteries, you say they are shot. I assume you understand the reason they've failed. Too many low states of discharge? An emergency? Overcharging? Perhaps leaving them dead too long? Maybe other reasons.

Assuming you've solved this issue, you can indeed upgrade to a different lead acid/gel configuration. I don't know what battery monitor your 2019 AS came with, but the Victron 712 is essential in my book. They red and green LED's aren't all that helpful.

good luck, Jeff

[paul29]

Right, the Interstate has dual Positives (2) and dual negative (2) posts. For the Lifeline, just 1 positive and 1 neg post. I'm wondering if I can stack the negative/positive connection wires (1 is a top post battery terminal w/ bolt/nut/wing-nut that snugs and the other a simple wire/nut for the parallel connection) to the corresponding, appropriate positive/negative Lifeline battery posts. Included a pic

[dznf0g]

I replaced the cable ends with ones that have allen set screw wire ports to accommodate additional items wired directly to batts.

[dznf0g]

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07QDYF3...VV22SYABZ5R76B

[paul29]

May be putting this in wrong spot..but thank you Rich, Jeff, and Bob..appreciate your time and insights.

[1StreamDream]

those amazon cable ends are a nice option, I didnt realize that was available, I might go that route myself someday soon. Regarding wiring change in general, especially in the battery box, if you are changing any of the OE cable, you need to be careful that you maintain or increase the wire size. If you need to make the cables longer, be sure you have the right size cable (proper size for the current draw). If only changing the cable ends, that should be a non-issue, I see the cable ends from that Amazon link go down to "0" gauge wire, that should be more than large enough. Just something additional to be aware of.

[mojo]

You can fit two lifeline group 27 batteries if you position them with long ends to the sides.

[paul29]

Rich/all - is replacing the OE cable ends with the amazon cable end product straightforward. My skills in this area are basic and time short. Tools required to remove old/install new, etc? Thanks!

[Ginophiles]

Originally Posted by paul29

Rich/all - is replacing the OE cable ends with the amazon cable end product straightforward. My skills in this area are basic and time short. Tools required to remove old/install new, etc? Thanks!

They look pretty straight forward. You'll need some sort of good size wire cutter to clip off the existing ends. You'll need a utility knife to strip off the insulation and expose the wire. You'll need some Allan wrenches to install the new ends. Get both an SAE set and a metric set. They're good to keep in the trailer. You can get any of this stuff at Harbor Freight, Home Depot or you're local hardware store.

I would also tape labels on all the wires BEFORE disconnecting anything. Right+ to left+ or left- to right-. Even with a picture, after the batteries are removed, it's not so obvious where that red or black wire went.

[gypsydad]

Many of us have experience with Interstate problems even with brand new AS's! Several contributing factors, mentioned by others. I moved away from 12V to 6V on my currant 28' AS, from other "experts" here sharing their experiences with the Trojan T105's. You may want to check these out also, before going back to 12V replacment AGM's. The 6V wired in series provide more useable "power" then the 12V's and will fit in your battery compartment. The pricing may be a bit more, so shop around on line in your area for best deal...I have been very happy last 3 years and aside from going to Li's which are still pretty pricy, these are a great choice also. Many folks get deep cycle 6V's from Costco, Sams/Walmart, or somewhere else for less $$; so thats another option...check out the comparison before spending more $$ 6V's for RVs are a good alternative for sure.

Oh yea; recommend you also get a mechanical cut off switch for the battery's also to insure there is no drain when in storage.

[jeffmc306]

Paul, we had Interstate batteries in our first Airstream that died due to abuse sitting on the dealer’s lot. I took them to my local Interstate dealer who tested them on the spot and warrantied them both. You might get lucky and not have to spend the money now and save toward lithium for the future.

The key with flooded acid batteries is to check the water level often and never discharge them below 50% capacity. You can certainly replace them with AGM batteries and eliminate the need to check water but the same thing applies with discharging.

Here’s a photo of the factory AGM setup in our 27’ Globetrotter if that helps.

Good luck!
-Jeff

[paul29]

Jeff - Thank you!! Your pic really helps me out. It looks like you were able to use the OE wiring and affix to the single posts of the Lifeline batteries - please let me know if you encountered any issues or needed any additional tools/equip to do this. Really appreciate it. -Paul

[jeffmc306]

Paul, glad you found the photo helpful!
Full disclosure: that’s the factory AGM setup on our Globetrotter; I didn’t modify it. I thought it would help you get an idea how they did it.

I have since installed a Victron BVM-712 battery monitor with shunt and a Blue Sea disconnect switch. To do that I bought some tools from Amazon, 4 ga. wire, crimp ends and shrink wrap. It’s not as hard as it looks!

Now I can monitor the batteries status through the Victron app and know when they’re getting close to 50% discharge.

Send me a PM if you’d like more information about it.

-Jeff

[gypsydad]

Good suggestion on Interstate perhaps doing a "replace" no charge. We had this happen to us on new models twice; "new" 2014 25', and again on our "new" 2018. On the 2014 model, I did pay an upgrade to AGM's. With the 2018 28', they also went bad in first month, so they gave me "new" no charge 12V replacment; I immediately put those on Craigs list and sold same day to a "used car" dealership, for $120, and I purchased new T105 6V's. Interstate has been good about doing replacment under warranty, outside of dealing with Airstream dealerships, IMHO.

[dznf0g]

Not hard. Wire cutters, wire stripper, allen wrenches.

[gypsydad]

Here is the set up we use with our Trojan T105 and manual circuit disconnect switch, to insure no voltage loss when in storage. 3 years now with these batteries and no issues. Just need to check water level few times a year.

[JacKim]

If you change from factory OE lead acid Grp. 24 12V batteriers to Trojan's 6V (T-105), should you change the converter?

On my 2017 25FC, I had single stage converter. Constantly adding water. Bought a multi-stage converter from Randy and have not had to add any water yet after 2 years.

[dunhamh]

Paul, I did this exact same thing two years ago. The automotive type clamps will fit over the Lifeline posts easily, and the other accessory/electric jack wires can be attached using the screw down bolts. I did have to change a couple of lugs on the wires to a larger size. The biggest problem on my battery box was the height of the posts touching the box cover. I used a couple of pieces of foam tape to insulate the touching, but it's probably not necessary since the box is all aluminum. It works well and the Lifelines are terrific!

Dun Smith