AGM or Gell

[tahoe1840]

Cutting to the chase here. I am looking for other opinions on AGM batteries compared to Gell style. We are going to upgrade our cheap flood wet cells for either AGM or Gell. I have search the forums but cannot really find any good posts comparing the two so am looking for some ideas and thoughts. Which tends to have a longer service life? Which typically have more Amp Hours? Type 24 or Type 27? I think either will fit my vented battery boxes. Thank you ahead of time.

[mud yapster]

AGM is what you want, they are designed to handles same charging characteristic as your cheap flooded battery.
Gel cells are more critically charged and your RV charge system will cook them off and destroy them.
You don't need to worry about venting AGM batteries and they can even be layed on there sides or on there ends and used if you want. As long as you don't run them down below a 50% charge before recharging them they will last a long time. I have 3 12volt for a total of 435ah on 520 watts of solar for my boondocking.

[rsdata]

good info here
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Battery Information - Battery University

[whatsupchuck]

To quote Col. Klink and add my thoughts. One of my concerns on purchase of a V-Lite was only one battery. I'm interested for sure.

My duramax is about due for batteries again also.

[tahoe1840]

Thanks Mup, I guess there are not too many out there with opinions, yours was a big help.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I switched to series 31 AGM battery about 1 1/2 years ago. Had to get a larger battery box. Does not require any service, doe not require any venting. Still one heavy battery!!!! About 1/2 again the size of battery that came in my fifthwheel.

Sams Club has the best prices on AGM batteries

I paid somewhere around $175.00 for the Group 31.

[whatsupchuck]

I know it's a bit late to add, but, if AGM doesn't need vented etc., why not move it inside close to the convertor? This is just a thought as front kitchen has cabinet space down low and would not need any cable addition or battery box.

[trbomax]

Please let me know where I can buy cheap floddedcell batterys Seriosly thoug.AGM is a good choice if the batts are in a hard to reach spot or a person is too lazy to keep after lead acid batts.I think that sometimes bassic is better and Ive never found a good reason to spend the extra $ for a tricked out agm battery.Lead acid for me!

[tahoe1840]

Daisy, hmmm Group 31, I'll look into that. I'm finding it real hard to even find AGMs strictly for RV use anyway, it appears these days that Marine/RV is what is out there, based on reading however I find that these combo batteries should be avoided wet or AGM. Pretty confusing I must say but thanks to all for the suggestions.