AGM Batteries in -- Charging?

[KatrinaOstby]

After struggling to add water to the old batteries. I decided to go with AGM when they started fading.
I just installed a pair of 6V AGM batteries. Then I learned that the charging profile for AGM batteries is different than Flooded batteries.
I've got the standard WFCO WV8900 series power center. It is not designed for AGM batteries.
I'm sure lots of you have changed to AGM batteries. What did you do about charging.
Thanks, Katrina

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by KatrinaOstby

After struggling to add water to the old batteries. I decided to go with AGM when they started fading.
I just installed a pair of 6V AGM batteries. Then I learned that the charging profile for AGM batteries is different than Flooded batteries.
I've got the standard WFCO WV8900 series power center. It is not designed for AGM batteries.
I'm sure lots of you have changed to AGM batteries. What did you do about charging.
Thanks, Katrina

We used AGMs in our E'21 for 7 full seasons before giving them a graceful retirement (no issues, just being conservative). The only thing I changed was to use the No-Equalization setting on the solar controller. No equalization was recommend by by the manufacture.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by KatrinaOstby

After struggling to add water to the old batteries. I decided to go with AGM when they started fading.
I just installed a pair of 6V AGM batteries. Then I learned that the charging profile for AGM batteries is different than Flooded batteries.
I've got the standard WFCO WV8900 series power center. It is not designed for AGM batteries.
I'm sure lots of you have changed to AGM batteries. What did you do about charging.
Thanks, Katrina

Katrina: I assume you mean the WF-8900 series. Specifically Escape has used the 8955 (55 amp). This converter/charger has a three stage charge mode and is suitable for both lead acid (LA) and AGM. You should be fine.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Specifically Escape has used the 8955 (55 amp). This converter/charger has a three stage charge mode and is suitable for both lead acid (LA) and AGM. You should be fine.

And as Dave know, AGM batteries are lead-acid, so he really meant that the three-stage charging is for lead-acid batteries, and is suitable for both flooded and AGM types... which is why you should be fine. Unfortunately, some idiot at WFCO put "LA" instead of "flooded" in the documentation.

[rubicon327]

Oops. That’s what I get for just regurgitating their manual!

[Vermilye]

The major concern when switching to AGM from flooded batteries is with 4 stage chargers. The 4th stage is Equalization, which puts 15V+ on the batteries for a short time every couple of days/weeks or so. This helps desulfate flooded batteries by "boiling" the electrolyte. This will cause off gassing, which can be a problem for some AGM batteries.

If you have a solar controller, many do 4 stage charging. Some AGM manufacturers allow equalization (such as Lifeline), others don't, so if any part of your charging system has the 4th stage, check with the batteries manufacturer and shut if off (if possible) for the batteries that don't allow it.