Thanks, Karl!

You know I am setting up that Truck Fridge - will the 88ah be enough to
handle 2-3 days of camping?  Planning on a solar setup - like the Renogy
suitcase type of plugin.

Pete O

On Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 5:28 PM Karl Mullendore <tdiguru@westyventures.com>
wrote:

> You can deplete an AGM deep-cycle battery down by 80%, with the lifespan
> decreased.
> https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm
> True 'flooded' lead-acid, yes, 50% is the normal recommendation. There are
> no flooded true deep-cycle batteries that really fit, so it's a non-issue.
>
> Victron has recently released AGM version that can go 300+ cycles to 90%
> without a problem. These are currently available in 100Ah and 170Ah
> versions, neither of which fits the stock box.
>
> The battery boxes in all Vanagons are the same size, left or right, Westy
> or
> not. 'Wheelchair batteries' or UB12220 as one brand option are 22Ah each
> and
> are AGM, not flooded L/A batteries, so in my opinion a decent option for
> the
> cost. Set up with the proper charging system (NOT the GW setup, which is
> undersized and leads to early failure of almost any battery!) the UB12220s
> work very well and four can be fitted in the original battery box,
> providing
> 88Ah. I know of several folks with over five years of use on these.
> The only other 'big' option that fits is the Odyssey PC1750 at 74Ah. One
> thing I always mention to folks is that a larger, easily accessible battery
> under the rear seat works out just as well because you now have that box
> under the driver's seat to store small items that you would have stored
> under the bench.
>
> Karl
> westyventures.com
>
> On Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:12:49 -0500, kenneth wilford <kenwilfy@GMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
>
> >If you have a Westy, the space for the battery is tighter than a
> >non-westy.  You can fit some lead/acid wheel chair batteries under there
> >and I have a video on doing that on YouTube.  Here is a link:
> >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzh6pwfK3gY
> >
> >However if you want the batteries to last more than a year, you are going
> >to have to be very careful on how much you drain them down and on how you
> >charge them.  Lead Acid batteries should never be discharged below 50
> >percent of their rated capacity.  If you do so you will hurt them.
> However
> >they are cheap and so replacing them every year or two isn't too painful.
> >Or you can upgrade to a Lithium Battery which many folks are doing or
> >lusting after.
>