Lead Acid Golf Cart Battery Warning

[brightond]

I took a couple of my Group 31 Deka batteries up to the "Battery Store" to be tested. Couldn't start the bus and wanted to rule out battery.

While I was there the owner was chatting with me about my build. I explained my "house battery" bank that I was designing and said I was leaning toward 6V Lead Acid Golf Cart style batteries due to their significantly lower cost.

His advice was to only considered sealed AGM type batteries as Golf Cart batteries are not meant for the type of vibration and bumping around that a bus will inevitably cause. He said that the plates inside can become dislodged and only one little problem can render the whole bank useless. Yikes! Talk about a fear based sales technique!

Was he blowing smoke or telling the truth?

 

[milkmania]

AvE gives a great explanation of lead acid battery structure

 

[Iceni John]

Golf cart batteries are cheap and can be bought anywhere, AGMs are definitely not cheap and only found in places like the "Battery Store".

'Nuf said.

John

 

[somewhereinusa]

Because golf carts ride so smooth.

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

Ever ride a golf cart?

Traction batteries tend to have heavier(thicker) plates then deep cycle.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

Blowing smoke, lots less margin on cheaper FLA.

FLA last much longer, much more tolerant of mistakes.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Part of my job, when I worked at the golf course, was maintaining the golf carts.

I am still laughing at the salesmans advice. I would take any advice he gives with great reservation.....

 

[ol trunt]

The AGM's take a lot more time to recharge than do the golf cart batteries according to several sources you can find on the net. Between that and the cost difference I stuck with the GC batteries when I replaced my 7 yr old house batteries.
Jack

 

[PNW_Steve]

The AGM's take a lot more time to recharge than do the golf cart batteries according to several sources you can find on the net. Between that and the cost difference I stuck with the GC batteries when I replaced my 7 yr old house batteries.
Jack

Generally,

FLA's should be charged at a Max of C/8 where AGM's can be charged a C/5.

With like capacity batteries and similar DOD, with the appropriate charging source, you should be able to charge the AGM's faster.

I do agree with the comment above that, when looking at capacity, lifespan and cost, FLA's are a more cost effective than AGM. in the long run.

 

[MarkyDee]

. . . Golf Cart batteries are not meant for the type of vibration and bumping around that a bus will inevitably cause.

Wow, what people will say to sell a product.


If you are willing to handle the battery maintenance, the FLA is the best lead-acid you can run with, period. The only reasons to look at an AGM are environmental: mounting orientation, what materials are around should they leak (sulfuric acid is nothing to mess with), cannot vent the batteries, etc. Put them in a battery box that can contain any spills, vent the box, and maintain the batteries (no more than 50% DoD, periodic watering, charge them correctly, etc.) and they'll be just fine and give you long life.


Here's a perfect example - the starter batteries for my TRANSIT BUS are FLA!!! They are commercial "8D" batteries, specifically the Interstate "8D-MHD" (do an internet search). The older batteries that were in there (I JUST replaced them with the Interstates) were FLA as well and had a manufacturing date sometime in 2012!



The guy is blowing smoke up your ..., well, you know....

 

[PNW_Steve]

Wow, what people will say to sell a product.


If you are willing to handle the battery maintenance, the FLA is the best lead-acid you can run with, period. The only reasons to look at an AGM are environmental: mounting orientation, what materials are around should they leak (sulfuric acid is nothing to mess with), cannot vent the batteries, etc. Put them in a battery box that can contain any spills, vent the box, and maintain the batteries (no more than 50% DoD, periodic watering, charge them correctly, etc.) and they'll be just fine and give you long life.


Here's a perfect example - the starter batteries for my TRANSIT BUS are FLA!!! They are commercial "8D" batteries, specifically the Interstate "8D-MHD" (do an internet search). The older batteries that were in there (I JUST replaced them with the Interstates) were FLA as well and had a manufacturing date sometime in 2012!



The guy is blowing smoke up your ..., well, you know....

Well said sir!

 

[Doktari]

I prefer FLA to “sealed” VRLA (valve regulated) agm or gel cell. I have a couple of big expensive gel cells. The only advantage I can think off was I was gone for 9 months with the solar panels floating the battery voltage. All loads shut off. When these go belly up I’m going back to FLA.
If I build a powerful DC charger, like I’m doing, it cannot be used on agm or gel. They do t like being charged fast. Trickle charging with solar works ok.
I sold my Chevy Volt Lion batteries without ever using them. Those things scared me. They were water cooled and actively managed but not after removed from a wrecked car.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

GEL are sensitive to overcharging, but not AGM, quality makers spec .2-.4C as the **minimum** rate.

But yes FLA much better value

 

[#1FordFan]

Our bus garage just had to replace the OEM
Battery in our ford van this week.
It is a 2007. E150

 

[Mudhutwarrior]

Ran 6 golf cart batteries in a 4x4 service van for inverter for years. Never had a failure. they are build for rough service. Biggest issue for lead acid is maintenance. Never skip it and always top off with distilled water.

 

[MarkyDee]

Well said sir!

Thank you very much, sir! You are very kind.