Hello everyone,
I'm looking for some more advise. I installed (2) 12V 100AH AGM batteries in my FWC Hawk back around September. They are Mighty Max #MH100-12 batteries. I just noticed the other day that one of the batteries was very hot and smelled like sulfur. I pulled it from the system and set it aside to cool. The other battery felt fine, so I left it hooked up to the system. I keep the camper plugged in to shore power in my garage when not in use. Everything has worked flawlessly until now.
I am almost certain it is a faulty battery, but why else would this happen? I have a smart charger, no loose connections, both batteries were charged to 100% before I installed them, no temperature extremes, no short circuits....
Should I go lithium? - I use the camper maybe 8-10 times a year for 1-3 nights at a time. I am happy with the 200AH setup for my needs; I never reach 50% DOD on my short trips, so 100AH of useable power works for me. If I go longer, I can bring my Honda generator with me to recharge. I have no solar and no charging from the trucks alternator, very simple system and I like it that way.
The areas where I camp don't often get much below freezing, but I could see it getting down to 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit at night from time to time. The battery is in the camper so I doubt it ever gets that cold, especially considering I am using the Propex heater at that point to keep myself warm. I also would not be charging the battery in those conditions if at all on my trips. I also like the idea of weight savings and no off-gassing. But most lithium batteries come in 100AH or 200AH (200AH would be overkill). I would need a 100AH battery that can de discharged to 0% in order to get my 100AH out of it. What are some affordable brands out there that won't leave me in this same situation again?
Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!
I'm looking for some more advise. I installed (2) 12V 100AH AGM batteries in my FWC Hawk back around September. They are Mighty Max #MH100-12 batteries. I just noticed the other day that one of the batteries was very hot and smelled like sulfur. I pulled it from the system and set it aside to cool. The other battery felt fine, so I left it hooked up to the system. I keep the camper plugged in to shore power in my garage when not in use. Everything has worked flawlessly until now.
I am almost certain it is a faulty battery, but why else would this happen? I have a smart charger, no loose connections, both batteries were charged to 100% before I installed them, no temperature extremes, no short circuits....
Should I go lithium? - I use the camper maybe 8-10 times a year for 1-3 nights at a time. I am happy with the 200AH setup for my needs; I never reach 50% DOD on my short trips, so 100AH of useable power works for me. If I go longer, I can bring my Honda generator with me to recharge. I have no solar and no charging from the trucks alternator, very simple system and I like it that way.
The areas where I camp don't often get much below freezing, but I could see it getting down to 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit at night from time to time. The battery is in the camper so I doubt it ever gets that cold, especially considering I am using the Propex heater at that point to keep myself warm. I also would not be charging the battery in those conditions if at all on my trips. I also like the idea of weight savings and no off-gassing. But most lithium batteries come in 100AH or 200AH (200AH would be overkill). I would need a 100AH battery that can de discharged to 0% in order to get my 100AH out of it. What are some affordable brands out there that won't leave me in this same situation again?
Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!