AGM Batteries for an RV - Which/Where/How/Why? (Discussion)

[PNjunction]

You might find this series of tests for a floating RV to be useful:

http://www.morganscloud.com/category/electrical/

The main concern was the house batteries, not the starter battery.

The Lifeline AGM tests (read all the comments too) are fascinating, and the response directly from Justin Godber from Lifeline in the comments was interesting - just facts not a sales pitch. EQ, alternator issues, inverters, chargers, etc, and some real-world testing makes for some great info. Refreshingly honest since this guy doesn't hate or cheerlead battery chemistries - he just wanted his AGM's to work - and got them to do so.

If only I had such problems! .. in my dreams ..

[inetdog]

YPerhaps I should re-re-think my decision on using a hydronic heating system and go with a more "traditional" forced air furnace? And/or get rid of the refrigerator idea totally and just carry a super-efficient cooler and buy ice when needed?

Cooling with solar energy can work reasonably well (and keep temperatures more stable than ice) if properly designed and well insulated.
And for Air Conditioning, the use of solar PV to drive an efficient A/C like a mini-split can make sense.

Heating with solar energy, on the other hand, works out best when you use solar thermal to extract heat directly from the sunlight (far and away the most economical, but possibly difficult for an RV) or use the solar PV to run a heat pump rather than any kind of resistance heater. The method used to deliver the heat to where you need it is not as important (except in cost!) as the way you get the heat in the first place.

For grid-tied electric heat pumps can do better in most areas than propane. But for off-grid, your electric power cost is so much higher that propane almost always wins hand-down. Especially when you can always refill your propane tank (not a winter option for some off-gridders.)

[Sunking]

Who are you guys talking too? Dave In Delaware has not logged in since last October.

[inetdog]

Who are you guys talking too? Dave In Delaware has not logged in since last October.

I'm mostly talking to PnJunction, I guess....
Did not notice the dates on the earlier posts.

Also talking to posterity in the form of later visitors.

[dave_in_delaware]

Who are you guys talking too? Dave In Delaware has not logged in since last October.

I may not log in often, but I still love this site and read it.