Gel v AGM

[Beltie]

The LA batteries on my 'van are on their last legs and will need replacing shortly.
We are not big users of mains kit, so have no real need for an inverter.

My B2B has a lithium profile, but the charger does not. The CBE solar controller gives no clue, so I'd be replacing that whichever way I go.

Given our useage, I'm not sure that lithium would be worth it apart from the substantial weight saving. I've, therefore, been considering Gel or AGM. I know that the general consensus is that Gel is superior, but have no idea why and would be grateful if someone could explain in simple terms why that is.

TIA

 

[Richard n Ann]

GEL will last about 10 years.. AGM about 18 months.. So I've heard anyway

 

[Just smiffy]

Too many bad stories with agm, I haven’t heard any about gels, I think…

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Are the go to gels but just noticed how much they have gone up from when I bought a couple of years ago at that price I’d consider going lithium…..

 

[Lenny HB]

Are the go to gels but just noticed how much they have gone up from when I bought a couple of years ago

That is because you are looking at the ES950 rather than the ES900 which is the standard fit in Motorhomes at £176.

 

[Just smiffy]

That is because you are looking at the ES950 rather than the ES900 which is the standard fit in Motorhomes at £176.

Ahh yes.. but I do have the es950’s as space isn’t a problem for me but I think I paid about £130-40 for them….

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[mick qc]

GEL will last about 10 years.. AGM about 18 months.. So I've heard anyway

Hope not I’ve had my agm’s for 2 yrs
Better get saving up

 

[Lenny HB]

AGM are about the worst possible choice for leisure use.

Gels are extremely good and have a very long life.
They don't like vert high discharge currents but that is not normally a problem.
You can discharge them to 20% and still get a long life only disadvantage is they take a bit longer to reach a full charge.

 

[Beltie]

Thanks Lenny that's useful, but I'm intrigued to know why the AGMs are the 'worst possible choice'. It's a bit of a minefield, as I note most manufacturers offer similar lengths of warranty on both AGM and Gel, indeed, some offer longer warranties on AGM. Having said that, I am well aware of the limitations of battery warranties!

 

[Outdoors Dad]

I wouldn't mess about...get a lithium probs twice as much as a gel but well worth it. The battery is the heart beat of your habitation area...why scrimp

 

[Lenny HB]

From personal experance I had 2 AGM's fail at 18 months in a new Hymer and I know quite a few other people who have had similar.
They are fussy on charging, don't like being under charged.

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[mick qc]

I’d get lithium if I was building my van now.
Especially as the new eco drift looks a good price.
Hopefully my AGM will last another yr or 2, as I don’t run them down much lower than 85%.
Always the optimist

 

[tomag]

My AGM are still going strong after over 9years use [Hope i have not tempted providence ]

 

[Razamataz]

My AGM are still going strong after over 9years use [Hope i have not tempted providence ]

Same with mine

 

[Vanman]

Same with mine

7 years for mine (touch wood).

 

[mick qc]

Now I feel better

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[David and Sally]

Do AGM and Gel use the same charging profiles from alternator, charger and solar?

 

[Beltie]

Do AGM and Gel use the same charging profiles from alternator, charger and solar?

No, they're different.

 

[David and Sally]

No, they're different.

Ah. Thanks. Why is nothing simple?

 

[Marky146]

I have a pair of AGM under the seat. It came with a single but that died after approx one year and was swapped under warranty. I changed it to a dual fit and it’s been fine since. Wouldn’t dream of using them as Leisure though. They were introduced about the same time as stop start and Smart Alternators and are best left to being connected to that. I have a pair of Lithium in the back. 100Ah each with 100Ah discharge rate.. 25mm cable to the inverter and 16mm to the charger and MPPT.

The ability of Lithium to give a consistent output all the way means more security knowing sunny or cloudy you’ll get power for your fridge and heater.

 

[Pausim]

Do AGM and Gel use the same charging profiles from alternator, charger and solar?

Gel need a longer absorption phase.

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[LithiumConvert]

They [AGM Batteries] are fussy on charging, don't like being under charged.

So why are they used with smart alternators which never fully charge the engine battery?

 

[AdrianChen]

Gel need a longer absorption phase.

And usually a lower absorption voltage I think.....

 

[AdrianChen]

So why are they used with smart alternators which never fully charge the engine battery?

Odd isn't it - I think the idea is that they are kept just above the point where they will sulphate, but it's only a guess - our BMW car battery did 18months with little use, then the stop start system stopped coming on, so I guess the battery was getting weak. Our Merc van was crap from day one, but after one year unless on charge it could only manage 24hrs before the tracker low battery alarm complained, but in either case they could have been badly maintained.

 

[David and Sally]

Gel need a longer absorption phase.

Do either use the same charging as LA?

 

[drmartinwhite]

Hope not I’ve had my agm’s for 2 yrs
Better get saving up

We have had 2x95Ah AGMs in our Hymer BMCT 600 from new, 3 years and they seem ok. I discussed at the dealer whether to shift to lithium and they keep these as they come with motorhome, probably last 5 to 7 years depending on usage, etc.

I am waiting for them to die then I’ll probably switch to lithium as my Hymer has a Schaudt B2B with a good lithium profile. Not sure about the compatibility with the EBL 30 though

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[LithiumConvert]

Not sure about the compatibility with the EBL 30 though

20 amps from the EBL 30 will charge our 270Ah of Lithium very nicely on the GEL setting. And the float voltage is within the limts specified by Sterling Power.

 

[Buddy1012]

The LA batteries on my 'van are on their last legs and will need replacing shortly.
We are not big users of mains kit, so have no real need for an inverter.

My B2B has a lithium profile, but the charger does not. The CBE solar controller gives no clue, so I'd be replacing that whichever way I go.

Given our useage, I'm not sure that lithium would be worth it apart from the substantial weight saving. I've, therefore, been considering Gel or AGM. I know that the general consensus is that Gel is superior, but have no idea why and would be grateful if someone could explain in simple terms why that is.

TIA

If your decision is to stick with lead and save yourself the expense of changing chargers etc I am selling a 4 module BOS LE300 lithium extension battery (112 Ah) ‘nearly new’. Designed to work with a lead battery and provide many of the advantages of a full lithium set-up. If you are not aware or familiar with the product just google it and get in touch if of interest.

 

[Pausim]

Do either use the same charging as LA?

I assume you mean the conventional wet lead acid and the answer is no. The voltage is too low for an AGM battery and the absorption phase too short for Gel.

 

[Dave and Jan]

Swapped a 4 year old 100ah AGM battery this year after reading many posts and fearing it may be failing although it had never let me down. Replaced with a 120ah AGM. Daughter now using the original in her caravan without any issues, so really there was no problem with it. Too much info can damage your wallet!

 

[Martin How]

We have an older van 2000 reg. I just replaced the batteries with Exide ES900s as onehad failed while away. I used theses as the EBL is not suitable for AGM or anything else. The old ones ones were ‘budget’ Hankook 110 AH batteries from 2015 and weighed 21kg each. The new ones are 80AH and weigh 26 kg each.

I think they are likely to out last our MH.

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