Gel v AGM

[fishplug]

I had AGM's for best part of 7 years without any problems.

I recently upgraded to Lithium partly due to weight and partly due to the ability to use more of the available capacity but it's a balance of budget and technology.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with AGM as long as you don't ever take them below 50% capacity.

Mine never went close to that, but I'm doing a new build which is going to be much more weight oriented so Lithium (despite being expensive) made sense.

I'm actually quite surprised to be reading some of the 'issues' that people have had.

I never experienced anything remotely similar.

 

[Hymer Tony B]

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

Lowest my AGM has been is 60% soc. This was a new battery on May 2023. Have 100w solar dual mppt controller so battery always topped up. No problems so far, even been off grid for 4 consecutive days without issue. But when gives up I will be looking at ECO tree drop in Lithium.

 

[Beltie]

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.

I may be misunderstanding you here, but what sort of heating are you using? Even a 1kw heater will take over 80A at 12V, so allowing for inverter losses, surely both batteries would be flat in a couple of hours.

 

[Beltie]

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.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm endeavouring to keep things simple!

 

[Coolcats]

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…..

Habitation Battery Varta 95ah | Travelworld Shop

A leisure battery is the power source for the 12V appliances and equipment in a caravan or motorhome. These batteries are designed to provide a steady level of power over a prolonged period of time and are used by the lights, T.V, kettle, oven and similar appliances. Read more

motorhomes.shop

Quoted at £500

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[Just smiffy]

Habitation Battery Varta 95ah | Travelworld Shop

A leisure battery is the power source for the 12V appliances and equipment in a caravan or motorhome. These batteries are designed to provide a steady level of power over a prolonged period of time and are used by the lights, T.V, kettle, oven and similar appliances. Read more

motorhomes.shop

Quoted at £500

Typical £350 mark up… they should be ashamed asking for that amount of money…

 

[Lenny HB]

Hymer has a Schaudt B2B with a good lithium profile.

It's got an awful Lithium profile, ditched the one that came in our Carthago and fitted a Victron.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not sure about the compatibility with the EBL 30 though

OK if you are only going to use it for the odd night but if you regularly use EHU fit a charger with a lithium profile.

 

[Roger20]

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

Nearly 7 years for mine and still fine (Hymer - 2 batteries with 2 chargers).
However like others I've never let them fall below 50% SOC

Interested to know what others consider the voltage should be at 50% SOC. I think 12.2v for AGM but have generally tried to keep to > 12.5v .

When not using the van I disconnect from the Schaudt and don't charge at all unless it drops below 12.5v - will last for several months with very limited discharge.

 

[Beltie]

Typical £350 mark up… they should be ashamed asking for that amount of money…

I can't believe anyone in their right mind would go there to buy a battery!

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[CAB96]

I may be misunderstanding you here, but what sort of heating are you using? Even a 1kw heater will take over 80A at 12V, so allowing for inverter losses, surely both batteries would be flat in a couple of hours.

I'm assuming they mean power to run the controller and fans?

 

[PlacidoD]

I can't believe anyone in their right mind would go there to buy a battery!

And makes you wonder about buying a van from them!!

 

[Buddy1012]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm endeavouring to keep things simple!

Okay - just a suggestion, although it is simplicity itself, literally ‘plug and play’ with no other adjustments or additions. Hope you get sorted!

 

[Shrimp]

We changed our LAs for Gel and love them, we haven’t been on EHU since mid March this year.

 

[Bobby dazzler]

Never had a problem with AGM always keep it topped up. Don't use that much current in my motorhome as still on good old lpg. Will upgrade to lithium at some stage but that may well be in my next van. Last AGM lasted 7 years which is ok by me.

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[Happy Jack]

We have 2 AGM for 3 years now, total useable 190A.
Been fine and generally never below 60%.
However, 2 September's running they were down to approx 45% after just 2 days of cloudy weather.
We have a 12v fridge/freezer taking average 2.2A.
That is our main useage, also led light strips pulling approx 1A under the van and in the engine compartment to deter furry things.
Put that down partly to poor weather and partly to shortening days.
Might have to get b2b but we that will typically only 18A into the batts. Don't fancy going on a drive just to charge them up.
Would only be useful when going from one place to anotger, and we tend to stop at sites for 4 or More days, UK only up to now.

 

[Happy Jack]

We have 2 AGM for 3 years now, total useable 190A.
Been fine and generally never below 60%.
However, 2 September's running they were down to approx 45% after just 2 days of cloudy weather.
We have a 12v fridge/freezer taking average 2.2A.
That is our main useage, also led light strips pulling approx 1A under the van and in the engine compartment to deter furry things.
Put that down partly to poor weather and partly to shortening days.
Might have to get b2b but we that will typically only 18A into the batts. Don't fancy going on a drive just to charge them up.
Would only be useful when going from one place to anotger, and we tend to stop at sites for 4 or More days, UK only up to now.

Sorry should have mentioned also have 300W solar going through 100/30 victron mppt, and as stated AGM batts are normally fine.

 

[jezport]

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

Our AGMs lasted 6 years and were still working when swapped for lithium. The correct charging is important n AGM and a good brand. Ours were duracell

 

[Pausim]

Our AGMs lasted 6 years and were still working when swapped for lithium. The correct charging is important n AGM and a good brand. Ours were duracell

Alpha batteries agree with you about the importance of correct charging for AGM. They have produced a detailed guide for AGM batteries.

A Detailed Guide to AGM Batteries - Alpha Batteries

With AGM products becoming more widespread in their use, knowing when you can or should use one and how to look after it properly is all the more important - our guide is here to help.

www.alpha-batteries.co.uk

People worry about whether LiFePO4 are “drop in” replacements for their original lead acid batteries and completely ignore that very often AGM and Gel are not “drop in” replacements either.