Gulf Stream Owners RV Forum - View Single Post

rdlamb · 03-15-2008, 07:25 PM

Hi Curt:
I changed my coach batteries from wet to AGMs, Orbital blue tops. Reasoning was this:
We full time, camping 2-4 weeks at a site, plugged into shore power. The coach batteries were constantly boiling over, creating white deposits of acid in the lower compartment where the batteries were located.
I looked at Trojan deep cycle, Optima blue, and finally Orbital (NAPA stores).

In my Jeep, I installed an Optima Yellow (starting and deep cycle combo), which lasted 2 years. I bought another Optima, again it lasted only 2 years. Which happened to be the warranty for this type of Optima.

So, I changed to the Orbital. Several sites rated the Orbital higher than the Optima. I'll let you know.

But, AGMs have several advantages over wet cells, the main one being no exhausted fumes to turn into acid, and construction that should last longer than conventional wet cells, and not having to check cell water levels weekly.

I would recommend the Orbitals (demand a discount from the NAPA store), Optima (found at Sam's and Costco), as well as the Trojans.
Safe Travels
Rick

03-15-2008, 07:25 PM	#2
rdlamb Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 386	Hi Curt: I changed my coach batteries from wet to AGMs, Orbital blue tops. Reasoning was this: We full time, camping 2-4 weeks at a site, plugged into shore power. The coach batteries were constantly boiling over, creating white deposits of acid in the lower compartment where the batteries were located. I looked at Trojan deep cycle, Optima blue, and finally Orbital (NAPA stores). In my Jeep, I installed an Optima Yellow (starting and deep cycle combo), which lasted 2 years. I bought another Optima, again it lasted only 2 years. Which happened to be the warranty for this type of Optima. So, I changed to the Orbital. Several sites rated the Orbital higher than the Optima. I'll let you know. But, AGMs have several advantages over wet cells, the main one being no exhausted fumes to turn into acid, and construction that should last longer than conventional wet cells, and not having to check cell water levels weekly. I would recommend the Orbitals (demand a discount from the NAPA store), Optima (found at Sam's and Costco), as well as the Trojans. Safe Travels Rick __________________ Safe Travels Rick 07 TM 40D;ISL 450 Cummins(upgraded). Very happy w/coach Gnarly toad to scoot around. Geocaching, hiking, fishing, National Parks, Civil War sites.