Let’s face it, there is a whole lot to remember when heading out on an RV trip. Between making sure everything is packed, all the toys are properly stored, the water has been topped up and that there’s enough propane, the last thing you want to worry about is the battery. Anyone who’s ever RV’ed knows someone who’s managed to get somewhere only to find that their battery has died.
Standard flooded batteries require regular care and attention. It’s easy to let them dry out by accident or to forget to properly cycle them to keep them charged. And if they freeze, that’s a whole new set of problems. Even with the best intentions and care, they just don’t last as long as they should.
This is where AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries can save an RV’er a lot of hassle. For starters, unlike standard flooded batteries, they don’t dry out. They are totally sealed, unspillable, and essentially maintenance-free. Even if you position an AGM battery at an odd angle, it won’t spill. This means less danger for you.
Another huge perk of the AGM battery is that you get double the battery life before needing replacement. This is due to the way these batteries are constructed. The positive and negative plates are separated by absorbent glass mats which prevent the battery’s acid from flowing freely inside the battery, which in turn reduces the shedding of plate material. This unique construction extends the life of the battery.
Last, but certainly not least, the unique AGM battery design means that it charges up to five times faster than a standard battery, meaning more confidence that there will be enough charge when you need it, and less use of a generator to top it off. Along the same lines, they handle deep-cycling much better. In a standard battery, it’s recommended to keep it topped off when not in use to maintain battery life. With an AGM, self-discharging is minimized. You’ll have more power when you need it. Next time you need to replace your RV batteries, consider upgrading to an AGM. You’ll be glad you did.