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General Discussion / Re: Batteries brands vs cost vs efficiency

« Last post by Joseph on October 01, 2025, 10:28:52 am »

Ron.. Thank you, I’ll look them up. How long did you have them or are you still using them?

Looks like there’s not much savings over Trojan.  $426, less cycles and one year warranty.

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General Discussion / Re: Batteries brands vs cost vs efficiency

« Last post by Joseph on October 01, 2025, 10:27:25 am »

Keel….    I saw that advantage wants $312 for the Trojan agm but that’s pickup only and they won’t ship. Locals here say then go buy it there being it’s 2500 miles away.  The Trojan agm can safely be taken well below 50% repeatedly with no issue. That aside, If I don’t need it I can save a lot. Now having the 12 volt fridge I’m in that I don’t know what I don’t know area. I’ve read that the AGM can accept higher/ faster recharge rates ,(thinking gen run time while dry camping) and are better at power delivery as well, (running the coffee maker on occasion). I’m really out of my wheelhouse here so I’m looking for as much guidance as I can obtain.

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General Discussion / Re: Batteries brands vs cost vs efficiency

« Last post by keelhauler on October 01, 2025, 09:23:25 am »

Joseph asks
>Trojan T105-AES 6V AGM 207 amp hr has a DOD 0 % rating of 1200 cycles . $500-545.00. Each..  Three year warranty.

Those batteries only list for $200 ea and I saw this offer: https://advantagebatteries.com/shop/trojan-t105-6v-battery/ for $166 (All in FL) but I bet soemone could meet their price/

My T105's are over 7 years old and still going strong.
I monitor the state of charge and try never to go down less than 50% charged.

I don't mind adding water about every 45 days.

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General Discussion / Re: Batteries brands vs cost vs efficiency

« Last post by Sarz272000 on September 30, 2025, 11:14:19 pm »

I bought Lifeline for my PC years ago.  I liked them. 

The Lifeline Gel-4CT battery has an expected cycle life of over 1,000 cycles to 50% depth of discharge (DOD). It is also rated for about 550 cycles at 80% DOD. Lifeline does not recommend cycling the battery at 100% DOD to preserve its lifespan.

https://invertersrus.com/product/lifeline-gpl4ct/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpwoocommerce_gpf_6002&sc_intid=woocommerce_gpf_6002&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21718962958&gbraid=0AAAAAD_b7fw4fNnVag9XkpfedG5_ouyJt&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6qnr6IOCkAMV3jDOBx035xWsEAQYASABEgKpaPD_BwE

Ron

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General Discussion / Batteries brands vs cost vs efficiency

« Last post by Joseph on September 30, 2025, 04:36:16 pm »

The cost to switch to lithium is more than I’m willing to spend considering the amount of time I’ll have the rig.

So 6 volt Duracell 205 amp hr aAGM  runs $360.00. Each  Has a DoD 0% rating of 400 cycles.  1 year warranty

Trojan T105-AES 6V AGM 207 amp hr has a DOD 0 % rating of 1200 cycles . $500-545.00. Each..  Three year warranty.



Dannnnnng.  I’m leaning towards the Trojan due to being able to run it below 50% with no worries.


Are there other manufacturers that rate as well as Trojan that I’m missing.

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General Discussion / Re: Alternative Fridge?

« Last post by CalCruiser on September 27, 2025, 05:28:08 pm »

 Got it 

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General Discussion / Re: Alternative Fridge?

« Last post by Joseph on September 26, 2025, 03:59:57 pm »

Calcruiser.    I’ve sent two pm’s and although they say message sent when I check sent messages nothing current is showing.  Let me know if not received

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General Discussion / Re: Alternative Fridge?

« Last post by Joseph on September 26, 2025, 09:44:47 am »

Calcruiser.  I have looked at lifepo4. From what I’ve read I need to do something to protect the Alt and I have no idea if my converter on a 2011 can charge them. Next is cost, I have no idea of what the cost is to bring my rig up to speed for the lifepo4. 


Pm sent

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General Discussion / Re: Alternative Fridge?

« Last post by CalCruiser on September 26, 2025, 04:12:17 am »

50% sounds about right.  5A x 18 hrs = 1080 wH, or 90aH of battery capacity.

Have you considered LiFePO4  instead? A pair of LiTime group 31 12v 140aH or 165aH batteries packs a lot of punch at 1/3 the weight for about the same price  and can be  safely discharged below 20% capacity.  If your converter can be configured for 14.2v charging, the only additional hardware needed is a dc-dc charger to protect the alternator.  If you might be adding solar at some point,  check out the dual input dc-dc chargers from Renogy that support charging from both the alternator or solar panels.  The difficult  part is figuring out the wiring since PC doesn’t provide diagrams. If you need help with that send me a pm. I made the switch last winter

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General Discussion / Re: Alternative Fridge?

« Last post by Joseph on September 25, 2025, 11:11:01 am »

Next up I want to go to two 6 volt.  If I go flooded I can get more amp hrs than agm  but I’ve read agm can be taken down farther and last longer so I’ll go that route.  Unless one of you convince me otherwise??


With My battery tray I installed new 250 lb sliders 5 years ago.  Even though that should be overkill after 5 years they are showing that they are getting tired with all the vibration and bouncing on our roads. So I installed a set of 500 lb slide rails and lowered the tray enough to allow the height needed for the taller 6 volt. 
The tray doesn’t allow enough length or width depending on how you set them for the larger 6 volt AGM.  I remove the riveted drawer catches , bent the front ledge down. Welded a couple of cracks in the side walls of the tray and cut the excess length so the door will close.  This now gives me more than enough room for the 6 volt.  The slots where the catches used to take hold work perfect for an adjustable heavy tarp strap that will keep the batteries in place and the tray from sliding against the door.