I need to replace my AGM Deep Cycle Batteries & am looking for recommendations. I've researched a lot and Full River seem to be the stand out but am wondering if anyone has any input good or bad for Century batteries or the Thumper Redback ones I saw at a Caravan & Camping Show recently.
Thanks in advance Di
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Look or check date of manufacture. I got a good discount when I mentioned the date ! Buying four at a time it really counts . Even at Battery World . At times I think some are re branded and trendy sticker ?
My suggestion is to stick to a brand that is known and sells a lot. Not sure how to prove that. Look at the specs of the batteries you are interested in and compare the size and particularly the weight. If one is smaller or lighter than the average shop elsewhere. Then compare the price to the average, if one is too cheap shop elsewhere. This might leave the good average ones, at a good price, from a popular seller, standing out as a good buy. That's how I do it. I do not believe paying more is good either. I believe that you get what you research well not what a retailer may want you to pay extra for.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 1st of May 2019 09:00:12 PM
At the time of purchase, in my home town, I saw on the shelf two 120 AH AGM Batteries, side by side
Bosh was same width and depth but 6 mm higher. Weighed 36 Kg cost 10% more
Vision was same width and depth, but 6 mm lower. Weighed 32 Kg+ and cost 10% less
I decided on Bosch, as it was (to me), a known brand
I could have got it cheaper on eBay, but I had peace of mind, if I had to make any warranty claim, plus I was buying local
Thanks to you both for your replies. I know the last time I bought AGM Batteries I think they were 120AH & they were very heavy I think around 33kgs & not easy getting them in where they had to go. That's a handy calculation guide anyway.
Thanks
Di
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The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page.
Try Battery World - they came to the caravan park, fitted batteries, gave a "trade in" discount, lifetime guarantee, and go to any BW store in Australia for ssrvice, or whatever.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I have a battery World just around the corner from me & they have Century but haven't heard anything good or bad about them.
I'm leaning towards Full River & I know they're bl**dy heavy. I put 2 in my old motorhome but then didn't use it too much & sold it not long after so didn't really get to find out the longevity of them. Aslo unless on special somewhere - very expensive but I guess it's like everything you get what you pay for.
Apreciate all the input.
Thanks
Di
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The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page.
Try Battery World - they came to the caravan park, fitted batteries, gave a "trade in" discount, lifetime guarantee, and go to any BW store in Australia for ssrvice, or whatever.
Aussie Batteries. These are Ritar and very good quality, good warranty. Full specs and advice readily available. Our last set of Ritar were replaced after 10 yrs.
Have a look at Lion Batteries, we have been using them in caravan and a couple of vehicles, they have a good reputation and have given us tremendous service.
Thanks all. Will investigate the Lion & Ritar batteries, see if anyone near me stocks them but I do need to get them from someone who can also fit them as they are way too heavy for me to get them into where they need to go. It's a bit awkward & would require way more muscle power than I have.
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Hi
Has anyone installed a lithium battery to a BMPro J35B or J35C Battery Management System and had no problems with their system. Itechworld in WA claim you simply remove your old AGM Battery and connect the Lithium and it is all systems go, whilst BMPro say no. I am looking some help!!!
I have a Century 105 AGM, have had it for 4 and half years, have not properly looked after it but it is currently sitting on 12.76 volts. Had a week away recently, charging only by 80 watt panel and whilst driving, and that is all I use when away as I only freecamp, not parks, at home it is on a trickle charger, plus 240volt charger once per month. What I didn't like about it, is I paid$280 for it , in an out of the way place, so paid more than their normal cost. Quite reasonably happy with it but I don't see it lasting much more than another 2 years. Also the thing is real heavy, so had to pay extra for a fitting, and probably will have to do that always, unless I buy a cheap engine hoist.
Hi Has anyone installed a lithium battery to a BMPro J35B or J35C Battery Management System and had no problems with their system. Itechworld in WA claim you simply remove your old AGM Battery and connect the Lithium and it is all systems go, whilst BMPro say no. I am looking some help!!!
Probably needs its own thread so maybe ask Cindy to relocate it with a new name such as BMpro and lithium batteries.
OK, looking through the charging regime and unless the lithium battery has an extremely good BMS system, the 14.4v bulk and absorption mode for up to 5 hrs at a time will destroy the lithium battery. The problem is, 14.4v = 4 cells at exactly 3.6v each, about as hard to achieve as herding feral cats using dingos. The problem is, as soon as the first cell reaches 3.45v its voltage will start to rise rapidly because it really can't absorb any more current, it is basically full. Unlike lead acid batteries, it can't waste the over voltage by creating an electrolyser in the high cell and splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen, when a lithium cell is full it is full, no more can go in so the voltage rises rapidly.
Even though they may claim their BMS balancer will keep all the cells balanced, unless it can shift the 20 amps the BMPro is trying to push in, one cell will run away and be seriously damaged. Most balancing circuits can move around 0.5 of 1 amp, one that could move 20 amps would be worth more than the battery and you could not fit the cable size required inside the battery case.
The battery manufacturer will blame the charging system and the charging people will blame the battery BMS, the owner is left stuck with the problem and a seriously injured wallet
T1 Terry
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Thanks for your input. Batteries Direct stock Century & are just around the corner from me. They'll fit them at no extra charge but they must have gone up quite a bit in the last 4yrs as they're now $465 for a 120AH. If they lasted 5/6yrs I'd be happy with that & yes I know they're heavy but I've never heard of anyone charging extra to fit because of the weight. Hope not as these are about 34/36kg & have to go in a cramped space & will be quite difficult to fit I think.
Thanks again
Di
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The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page.
I do not believe paying more is good either. I believe that you get what you research well not what a retailer may want you to pay extra for. 
