AGM battery Vs Solar

[CrewOVtwo]

Well we just picked up our new (to us) 2019 Bailey Unicorn and I took along my new AGM battery to the dealership - slotted in place and was then told on the handover that AGM isn't compatible with the solar panel on the roof.

It's a damn good battery with 120 amp hours and, truth be told, if we were lucky enough to live another 10 years, we wouldn't be off grid for more than 1% of our time.

Should we for go swapping to a lead acid battery which will then be compliant with the solar panel or hold on to what we've got. The place that supplied the battery said they would swap without hesitation if anything was wrong.

As I know next to nothing about this, I once again seek your wisdom.

 

[JTQ]

At the most all that will be needed if the existing solar controller has no provision to cope with an AGM battery, is replace it with one that has.
Suspect there is someone seeking to extract money from you, by giving at best half a story.
What solar controller is fitted?

 

[otherclive]

Well we just picked up our new (to us) 2019 Bailey Unicorn and I took along my new AGM battery to the dealership - slotted in place and was then told on the handover that AGM isn't compatible with the solar panel on the roof.

It's a damn good battery with 120 amp hours and, truth be told, if we were lucky enough to live another 10 years, we wouldn't be off grid for more than 1% of our time.

Should we for go swapping to a lead acid battery which will then be compliant with the solar panel or hold on to what we've got. The place that supplied the battery said they would swap without hesitation if anything was wrong.

As I know next to nothing about this, I once again seek your wisdom.

I’m very surprised at the dealers comments. Searching the internet shows a number of suppliers for panels and AGM batteries. Could it be a mismatch on the controller?

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Yes, now you both mention it, it's the controller that will ? 'burn out' I think he said - but I don't want to cast aspersions on the dealer as they were excellent, and any omission of facts is due to my lack of knowledge.

I'll ring them again tomorrow to clarify things.

I know in the relatively near future we are hoping to spend extended periods in sunny climates so it would seem daft to not make use of solar power.

 

[trevormonty]

I very much doubt controller doesn't support AGM as that has been default battery for years, it's only recently that solar controllers have started supporting LiFeP04. NB modern controllers even £10 PWMs will support a range of battery types.

Ask dealer for controller model number and manual. Any new caravan will come with folder full of manuals for all devices/appliances in caravans.

 

[JTQ]

Yes, now you both mention it, it's the controller that will ? 'burn out' I think he said

Again highly an unlikely outcome, the issue is way more that the battery is not going to be charged in an optimum way, and that possibly leading to it having a shorter working life than it might.

I would not be having any further discussions with the individual spinning you their line as from what is reported I simply don't "buy" that they know what they are talking about.
Just identify what actual solar controller you have fitted and tell us, then members here with knowledge in this field can look up its specification and give you a better, fact based guide to what, if indeed anything, is the right course of action.

 

[Buckman]

If the solar panel controller is a Truma it is quite simple to switch it to AGM. We have an AGM battery in our caravan.

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Hope this helps.

 

[Buckman]

Hope this helps.

On ours the setting for AGM is 2. There should be an instruction book for it and if not, maybe one on the Truma website?

 

[Beardy]

Hope this helps.

Looks like a Truma SDC 10. Link to operating manual below which says that it has a setting for AGM batteries.

Settings - Query / Change; Operation; Battery Type - Truma SDC 10 Operating Instructions & Installation Instructions [Page 20]

Truma SDC 10 Manual Online: settings - query / change, Operation, Battery Type. 1 Gel (Pre-Setting) 2 Agm 3 Liquid (Liquid Electrolyte) Change – Press Key (T) For 5 Seconds Until The Display H6 Flashes. – Press The Key (T) To Set The Required Value. – If The Key Is Not Pressed For 5...

www.manualslib.com

 

[CrewOVtwo]

I've got the manual with the van so will search through it later this evening and report back.

Thanks so much for your continued help.

 

[JTQ]

Yes, beat me to posting, having also just found the manual for what seems to be the OP's unit.
Shame the trade for whatever reason are giving out such misinformation.

 

[Challenger]

Yes, beat me to posting, having also just found the manual for what seems to be the OP's unit.
Shame the trade for whatever reason are giving out such misinformation.

Times are HARD

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Thank you gents. Have found the manual and it told me how to change the settings to AGM.



The solar charger is a SDC 10/20 and using the 'SET' button I was able to access a scrolling menu of numbers to the '2' which corresponds with AGM.



I owe you a beer or two.

 

[JTQ]

I owe you a beer or two.

Thanks for coming back as knowing the forum has you sorted is all many of us need. its what we try to achieve.

 

[Beardy]

Thanks for coming back as knowing the forum has you sorted is all many of us need. its what we try to achieve.

......... but we won't decline his offer if we find ourselves on the same site as CrewOVtwo will we?

 

[Buckman]

Thank you gents. Have found the manual and it told me how to change the settings to AGM.
The solar charger is a SDC 10/20 and using the 'SET' button I was able to access a scrolling menu of numbers to the '2' which corresponds with AGM.
I owe you a beer or two.

Now to rub the sales person's nose in it! LOL!

 

[JTQ]

Now to rub the sales person's nose in it! LOL!

IMO though, it is way better to keep away from alienating your dealer so early in the "journey" with them, but quietly knowing you need to doubly check their advise.

 

[Buckman]

IMO though, it is way better to keep away from alienating your dealer so early in the "journey" with them, but quietly knowing you need to doubly check their advise.

However I would mention it to them in passing. Seldom is it the consumer that alienates the dealer, it seems to be the other way around once they have your hard earned dosh!

 

[JTQ]

However I would mention it to them in passing. Seldom is it the consumer that alienates the dealer, it seems to be the other way around once they have your hard earned dosh!

We each have our own chemistry, believe me though, sellers are as easily able to form opinions of customers as the other way. Been involved in both camps over the years.