AGM batteries?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by PurplePete, Nov 24, 2014.

  1. PurplePete

    PurplePete Light Load Member

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    Nov 15, 2011
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    I use a Proheat X45 diesel powered sleeper/truck heater at night during cold winter months.
    I set up 2 regular 950 CCA/180 reserve amp truck batteries separately by themselves so the 4 starter batteries stay fully charged while its in service. I did this with a solenoid and a switch. I get 6 to 7 hours at best, and less when its very cold before these standard lead acid batteries drop down to much to run it. At which time I have to wake up and start the truck to avoid the cold. The heater stops working efficiently at around 11.5 volts.
    Has anybody tried AGM batteries to run your winter heaters?
    Do they run longer as long as they have adequate AH ratings. I assume my 180 reserve is approximately equal to 90 ah?
    Would it be more effective to add a 3rd or 4th battery to my reserve batteries or change them over to AGM batteries?
    Would 4 AGM batteries be enough to run my heater and still start my truck at less than 12 volts?
    A buddy suggested a small/quiet gas generator would serve a dual purpose for me. I suspect the gas supply would be a hassle.
     
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  3. asavage1576

    asavage1576 Light Load Member

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    I would add batteries. Seems like whe I worked at Schneider the trucks that had the park smarts were equipped with 4 batteries just for it
     
  4. PurplePete

    PurplePete Light Load Member

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    That's reasonable. Has anyone had experience with using AGM batteries?
     
  5. barroll

    barroll Road Train Member

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    I think you might want to look into deep cycle marine batteries since you're trying to put such a severe discharge on the bank. They're made for deep discharge duty cycles.
     
  6. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    The main problem is that the Proheats run all the time. One idea is to replace your two batteries for the heater with AGM's, like you're thinking, but put them inside the cab so they stay warm, they won't lose voltage so fast . AGM's don't give off fumes like wet cell batteries do.
    My setup involves Espar cab heater with separate engine heater. Their engine heater only runs for two hours, so I set a timer for two hours before I want to start the truck. I replaced all my batteries, I have three ThermoKing Eon AGM's, to run the heaters, and one Maxwell ESM Ultra-capacitor to start the truck. I have successfully started at -33c over night.
    Nice thing with AGM batteries is that the terminals stay clean, none of that sulfur dust or green corrosion.
     
    rank, Cetane+, xsetra and 2 others Thank this.
  7. PurplePete

    PurplePete Light Load Member

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    Nov 15, 2011
    Tyler, Mn
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    Thanks uncleal13,
    Very good information I wasn't aware of and hadn't considered.
    The proheater senses the water temp and runs accordingly. It also monitors the sleeper heat and turns the fan on and off depending on where I set the temperature dial in the sleeper. Since I run in the north only it also heats my tanks. All are important duties, which it does pretty well.
    I used to run all 6 batteries at night, but of course ultimately a cell goes bad in one and there's trouble. So I separated off the 2 to avoid starting problems.
    The AGMs are spendy and not much bigger in AH terms, which was bogging my rationing down. The possibility of replacing the 4 starter batteries with AGMs and ditching the 2 hotel batteries seems worth while if I can count on them in the morning, and get more time out of them with out idling. I'll have to look in to your capacitor as well.
     
  8. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    Borispol, Ukraine
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    AGM are not good for below zero temperatures. so it depends on climate u operate truck.

    Ultracapacitor has no such capasity as battery of the same size, but if it is charged for 10V for example - its current is high enought to crank engine, if battery is lower 11v it cant crank. So u should understand capacitor vs battery difference and I'd have one capacitor parallel to batteries
     
  9. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    The real problem here is actually the proheat. Those suckers drain so much power compared to a 2 piece system, I think around 8-10 amps. I would just run 4 isolated marine batteries. AGM batteries are more for guys who run 4 batteries starting and hotel with no isolation.

    Or you could pop in an ESM capacitor starter system, and run 5 batteries as your hotel load.
     
  10. PurplePete

    PurplePete Light Load Member

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    Tyler, Mn
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    What is a 2pc system?
     
  11. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    Winnipeg, mb
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    Espar and Webasto have systems that heat the bunk and engine seperately. The bunk heater uses very little power, and the engine heater only needs about two hours to get everything warm in even the most extreme cold.
     
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