A few weeks ago, there were a series of articles, one by Jim, regarding the quality of AGM batteries. On my 430, one of the 8D's has gone bad and I've decided to go to the AGM's for both of them. Questions: When I change both 8D's to AGM's, do I also have to change the 12V starter battery to the same type? Do I have to make some sort of change to the Heart inverter/charger to adapt to the use of gel cells instead of the wet type? Pete Burger "KAILANI"
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For What Little It's Worth..
..Pete, my installer said that the starting battery need not be changed from a wet cell if I go to AGM. The literature I have from Lifeline indicates no changes to charging is necessary. Of course, for that kind of investment, you will want to check with the mfg. RD
..Pete, my installer said that the starting battery need not be changed from a wet cell if I go to AGM. The literature I have from Lifeline indicates no changes to charging is necessary. Of course, for that kind of investment, you will want to check with the mfg. RD
Charger
Pete, While I am no expert on AGM batteries in particular, with gel cell batteries you do have to adjust the output voltage of the Heart inverter/charger. You can do this by adjusting the dip switches on the back of the control panel. There is a fairly good explanation in the owners manual for the inverter. I hope this helps. Paul Bednarzyk
Pete, While I am no expert on AGM batteries in particular, with gel cell batteries you do have to adjust the output voltage of the Heart inverter/charger. You can do this by adjusting the dip switches on the back of the control panel. There is a fairly good explanation in the owners manual for the inverter. I hope this helps. Paul Bednarzyk
AGM's Behave like wet cells
which essentially they are except that the electrolyte is held in the glass mat. JB
which essentially they are except that the electrolyte is held in the glass mat. JB
NOT wet cells
They have different voltage requirements. If you charge them like wet cells you will kill them. Jim "Prospect"
They have different voltage requirements. If you charge them like wet cells you will kill them. Jim "Prospect"
My understanding is
That the charging requirements are the same for wet cells that charging systems for AGM batteries need no mods and it's been working in my car for 6 months no change to charging sys there. Same old 18year old alterantor. we also use a bank of 8 of these on the 50 and the Inv/Charger is set for the same as wet cell 4 D's. These are sealed batts it's true but they have the same characteristics as wet cells. The heart invertor should treat them same also. If you do not have a three phase charger I still see no difference. JB
That the charging requirements are the same for wet cells that charging systems for AGM batteries need no mods and it's been working in my car for 6 months no change to charging sys there. Same old 18year old alterantor. we also use a bank of 8 of these on the 50 and the Inv/Charger is set for the same as wet cell 4 D's. These are sealed batts it's true but they have the same characteristics as wet cells. The heart invertor should treat them same also. If you do not have a three phase charger I still see no difference. JB
AGM
Jim, thank you, I didn't realize that that AGM's can be handled like wet cells. I enjoyed meeting you at the St Pete show. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Jim, thank you, I didn't realize that that AGM's can be handled like wet cells. I enjoyed meeting you at the St Pete show. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
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