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
    Tyler, Mn
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    I've had this same system in 2 trucks over the last 7 years, I'm very familiar with the good and bad of it. The heater parts are expensive with all of these heaters. Batteries take a beating and eventually fail. My 2500 watt inverter is pounding my batteries as well, with a microwave, and coffee pot (always on during the day). I run the truck any time either of these are at full load. I also have a full time wabesto fridge which is 7yrs old and still wonderful.
    My inverter runs 24/7 and sounds off with an ear splitting alarm at 11.4 volts, by then its getting chilly in the truck any way.
    With all 6 batteries after 8 hrs of heater the volts are in the high 11's. Using 2 isolated from the starter batteries I get any where from 5 to 7 hours until the alarm goes off at 11.4 volts. If all the batteries are in good order, no weak or dead cells, I've never had any problem starting in the morning. But it only takes 1 cell to go weak to cause failure.
    In the OP my interest was in AGM batteries to improve my AH using the 2 isolated batteries. But the esm module seems like might be a good solution. The price holds me back, since in many ways it just looks like 1 battery, not only to me but to my wife too.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2014
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  3. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    I don't know what you're talking about, unless you run them for days at a time. Running my bunk heater for 10 hours then the engine heater for 2 hours usually leaves the battery voltage around 12.1 when I go to start it, depending on temperature. The 4 group 31 batteries have about 400 amp hours of storage in them. I usually get about 3 years out of my batteries. Cat 825 CCA batteries. Maybe that's your problem, a lot of people run the 975/1000 CCA batteries thinking they're great when they're trash.

    It's the proheat system that uses a lot of juice. That thing is complete overkill, and I haven't seen anyone use one of those up here in a long time.
     
  4. PurplePete

    PurplePete Light Load Member

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    Tyler, Mn
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    The x45 draws 7.5 amps at full power, but that doesn't include the standard sleeper blower motor which I use. When I initially installed it in my first truck I followed the installation instructions, and followed up the same way on this truck. I believe there are low amp draw blower motors that will mount directly as an OEM replacement. That might be a critical AH component not be addressed as a battery saver.
     
  5. PurplePete

    PurplePete Light Load Member

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    Nov 15, 2011
    Tyler, Mn
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    I want to revisit this topic with a slight twist from the op.
    I've decided I'd like to swap out my 2 standard flooded batteries, used for heating, for 3 Duacell group 31 AGM batteries. Leaveing the 4 standard flooded starter batteries unchanged. Can I charge both sets of batteries with my alternator even though they are at different levels of charge, different design? Do I need added devices to regulate them separately?
     
  6. special-k

    special-k Road Train Member

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    Southern Ontario Canada
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    I'm with Allan. Quit using an engine heater as a bunk heater. Get an air top bunk heater. It has a built in blower so you don't use anything from the truck. You can leave the proheat on to hear the engine in the morning. We used to have webasto 2010's and they had the same issues. 6-8 hours with three batteries.
     
  7. Sloanert1

    Sloanert1 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 5, 2014
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    I have parks art with 4 agm batteries. Primary batteries for engine start also agm x 4. All are hooked together so parks art has access to all eight. Parksmart will cool steady in excess of 12 hours this way without killing start batteries. System will not let start batteries drain down too low before shutoff, but this has happened only once so far. Agm batteries are expensive but have lasted almost two years. Also have massive alternator to charge all eight batteries. Hope this helps.
     
  8. PurplePete

    PurplePete Light Load Member

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    Nov 15, 2011
    Tyler, Mn
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    I went ahead and bought 2 Duracell AGM batteries today, it was what they had, and ordered a third. I'm going to install them inside under my bunk so they stay warm, seems logical uncleal13. I'll have plenty of room for the 3rd or more. I plan to leave the solenoid in line to isolate the hotel bank while the truck is off. I also ordered a 2 battery bank 2x10 amp onboard Ginius smart charger for when the truck is parked. Apparently AGM batteries need to be fully charged in stages. I'm anxious to try these out, they sure are beefy.

    I'd never considered 2 heaters for separate purposes, it seems logical. Frankly I've never used my Proheat as a preheater, I just use it when its needed. I've no idea how well that would work. I plug in my block heater & tank heater at home.

    Will the Maxwell esm start a cold motor by itself?
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2014
  9. Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    Will the Maxwell esm start a cold motor by itself? Emphatically yes, & by turning over the engine w/impressive sound, (morale building).:biggrin_25514:
     
  10. PurplePete

    PurplePete Light Load Member

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    Nov 15, 2011
    Tyler, Mn
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    To clarify my question.
    If I went with an air heater, allowing the motor to cool over 8 to 10 hours would the Maxwell esm be enough to start the motor? I assume it has its limits related to cold weather, any one care to share experiences?
     
  11. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    The ESM will crank anything by itself, that's what it was designed to do. However the regular batteries do need to supply some (probably at least 10 volts) power to the ECM. Hell you could have a small 10 lb battery and the truck would start. The only reason you keep 3-4 group 31s is for bunk heaters.
     
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