I went to AGM batteries and got eight years out of my first set, and the #2
was probably good for a couple more years but I replaced them both. I
think that gel-cells were the ones that required a real change in charging
voltages but the AGM batteries are still lead acid cells and I don't think
there any real concerns with charging voltages with them. I didn't change
anything at all and they worked perfectly for all those years.
Whatever you do, you are really going to like AGM batteries. The greatest
feature is how they hold a charge for extended periods of non use. I have
gone through whole summers without ever having to use my charger. Even when I
turn on the charger it is only usually needed for only a few minutes. I
store the batteries in my garage all winter here in Ohio, and I hook them up
to the standard charger from Sears about once a month just to be safe, and,
again they are fully charged in just a few minutes. These things are
amazing.
By the way, I use Exide AGM batteries. They are a little harder to find but
since that is what I had such great luck with, I have stayed loyal to
them. If I were to change I would probably go to Optima as they are also
spiral
wound technology (they look like sic-packs) like the Exides.
Andy Dalzell
C-27 #6298, Tardis
Sandusky Bay, Ohio
