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Jim
 Jim
(@j_a_wolfe)
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I just learned that I need to replace my two group 31 batteries. I really want to get away from the wet cell batteries and was possibly leaning toward AGM batteries. However, the salesman asked whether we ever boondocked. My answer was never. He then proceeded to try and talk me out of an AGM. I welcome any feedback.

 
Posted : May 1, 2019 5:10 PM
Jim
 Jim
(@j_a_wolfe)
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When mine need replacement it will be AGMs, because it's a real PITA to crawl into the battery compartment to add water to my rear two batteries.

 
Posted : May 1, 2019 6:59 PM
Jim
 Jim
(@j_a_wolfe)
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I think the question should be do you every have your trailer not plugged into shore power. Today I have 2 100ah AGM batteries. I don’t boondock, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have occasion for the trailer to sit out overnight, or sometimes a Walmart. Sometime it sits at the storage lot for a few days with the fridge on, or at least the batteries on. Without solar, even a day of towing in warm weather will tax the batteries. I can’t imagine needing to service the batteries thorough all this. My AGMs have been awesome.

With that said, when mine go I will move to lithium, specifically BattleBorn. The upfront cost is higher but over 7 years they really pay off and convenience and power now make up for the difference. People take their lithium’s with them when they sell because the life of the batteries is so long.

 
Posted : May 1, 2019 7:44 PM
Jim
 Jim
(@j_a_wolfe)
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Shortly after we bought our Redwood 38FL in 2014, I bought two Group 31 Deep Cycle Lead Acid wet Batteries.
I check them about every 6 months for water level, only had to add water once in almost 5 years now and they are still doing fine.
We are fulltimers but do not boondock.
When time comes to replace them, I will replace with the same batteries.

 
Posted : May 1, 2019 8:17 PM
Jim
 Jim
(@j_a_wolfe)
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The two 31 Series batteries supplied by our dealer lasted only a couple of years, They seemed to go through a lot of water and it was a pain to get to them as installed so I replaced with AGM. Sam’s Club had the best price I could find at the time and we’ve been well pleased. Will stay with AGM if we don’t upgrade to Lithium when the time comes. We don’t boondock but will occasionally park in a Walmart or similar when traveling.

 
Posted : May 2, 2019 9:28 AM
Jim
 Jim
(@j_a_wolfe)
Posts: 10846
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6 6 volt batteries that I installed when we bought the RW back in 2015. Have had no issues and they are still going strong. Added the watering system to the batteries in 2016 and put them in a custom Poly Pro case. I have the fill hose outside the box and check them every 3 months. Very Happy with the setup if they go out I will replace with the same set up.

 
Posted : May 2, 2019 11:08 AM
Jim
 Jim
(@j_a_wolfe)
Posts: 10846
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My "UPGRADED" deep cell dealer installed batteries failed after 2 years.. I replaced them with 2 of the Group 31 Lifeline AGM's... There is even a setting in the Magnum to charge them properly.

 
Posted : May 2, 2019 2:47 PM
Jim
 Jim
(@j_a_wolfe)
Posts: 10846
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Topic starter
 

Thanks to everyone for the advise. I just ordered two AGM 6V LIFELINE batteries and they are scheduled to be installed on Monday. I am so excited to NOT have to put water in the batteries any more.

 
Posted : May 4, 2019 10:06 AM
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