Anyone tried Maxon Batteries

[Akapeterc]

I have a battery monitor installed and have never let my batteries go down below 25% of my usage available and have never gone more than two or three days without having the battery back up to 100% usually they’re up to 100% every day with this combination of 3x180w solar panels and 2 wind generators as well as a generator on board for really bad weeks. I think I just got one died battery somehow

[john61ct]

Lifespan going down to 25% would be a fraction of that when staying above 50%.

And I bet you are trusting your charge sources and instruments too much about how they define 100%, only closely calibrating vs endAmps with an accurate ammeter gets you there.

Getting from 98.5% to true 100% can take another full hour or more and makes all the difference.

A full charge cycle is usually at least 6 hours, and without starting out at .2-.4C a **lot** longer.

In any case, you asked me how.

Three years is not that bad for AGM, most just live with that.

[Akapeterc]

I just went and got two of my batteries tested with a load on them and the one that got hot with the one that dropped a cell it’s not in very good condition it went down to around about 4 V with 80 amps drawing on it but the other battery that didn’t get hot wasn’t attached to the other ones through series only just dropped below 6 V with 80amps drawing on it and the battery chap said that they are in excellent condition. So it looks if I’m just going to replace a battery I have to replace two of them out of the six.

[john61ct]

Yes can do that but really not optimal, the whole set should be matching, or the newer ones will get a much shortened lifespan.

[Akapeterc]

The choices are I buy 2 new Fullriver $1000, which may last only 3 years or buy 6 Maxon for $1722 that are down a total of just 90 amph on my bank making a bank of 660amph, which come with a 3 year warranty. When you look at it I think I should go with the Maxon

[john61ct]

Another way to look at it, if your use/care patterns are only getting 3 years out of the (likely) higher quality batts,

then even if you get only 2 years out of the cheaper ones you're still ahead.

And starting off with a matching set, same mfg date stamp is definitely a plus.

And if you do start caring for them better, even less robust batts may last you 5-6 years.

[Akapeterc]

You keep saying caring for them better how do I care for them better?

[john61ct]

#13 & 17 spelled it out.

If you don't fully understand any specific bit, meaning of terms, or HowTo,

try googling, still don't? ask specific Qs and I'll try to clarify further.

[john61ct]

Sometimes full-on coddling all factors to get maximum cycles is impractical, or the owner decides not worth the trouble,

perfectly valid choice too.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Take care of them better this time, if your situation allows.

Best thing I read all day. It's not always possible to follow the "best practices" when charging batteries. If that's your case, then $90 Sams Club 6V batteries are the way to go. Even if you can charge to 100% they may be the way to go also. A lot of us will sacrifice battery life for less engine run time. Don't forget, engines cost a lot also.

[Akapeterc]

Well I’ve just had all my batteries professionally tested and the 4 that weren’t connected in series with the faulty one have come back 20% better rating than what they were brand-new The bloke said they’re in perfect condition and I could have bought 2 new batteries and put them with the 4. Now I have 4 I will have to try and sell.