Can anyone recommend batteries well suited for the PD9245

JesseLibertine

New member
My Great West batteries are not holding a charge very good any more and I suspect they are not well suited for the Progressive Dynamics 9245 that is installed in my GW.

My van http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44143
My batteries are 2 LifeLine AGM 125aH batteries from 2/2013 (two Lifeline GPL-31XT page 19 http://lifelineb.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/manual.pdf

PD9245C converter: http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_details/rv_conv/rv_converter_pd9245c_2.html

Should I go with 6V gold cart batteries or something else?
The PD is not outputting a high enough voltage for the Concorde Lifelines!
 

Boxster1971

2023 Sprinter 2500 144wb AWD
My Great West batteries are not holding a charge very good any more and I suspect they are not well suited for the Progressive Dynamics 9245 that is installed in my GW.

My van http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44143
My batteries are 2 LifeLine AGM 125aH batteries from 2/2013 (two Lifeline GPL-31XT page 19 http://lifelineb.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/manual.pdf

PD9245C converter: http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_details/rv_conv/rv_converter_pd9245c_2.html

Should I go with 6V gold cart batteries or something else?
The PD is not outputting a high enough voltage for the Concorde Lifelines!
I looked over the data on your PD9245. Certainly not a good match for expensive Lifeline AGM batteries. Even the PD web page says they are for lead-acid or gel cell batteries. No mention of AGMs and their charge profiles are all wrong for Lifelines.

http://www.progressivedyn.com/power_converters_9200.html

I'd recommend a pair of 6v golf cart batteries as you suggested.
 

JesseLibertine

New member
I looked over the data on your PD9245. Certainly not a good match for expensive Lifeline AGM batteries. Even the PD web page says they are for lead-acid or gel cell batteries. No mention of AGMs and their charge profiles are all wrong for Lifelines.

http://www.progressivedyn.com/power_converters_9200.html

I'd recommend a pair of 6v golf cart batteries as you suggested.
Thanks for taking a look Boxster, the previous owner of this RV apparently liked to blow money on expensive batteries not well suited for the converter this RV came with!

In my case I could probably fit four 6 volt batteries!
 

Midwestdrifter

Engineer In Residence
I know you didn't ask this, (your question was about batteries). Here is some unsolicited advice nonetheless.

The converter you mention is not a substitute for a temperature compensated 3 stage charger. Lifeline AGMs need high charge currents at the correct voltage (~14.3V) . The converter will result in shortened life (as you have experienced).

Flooded batteries may survive longer (at least they are cheaper). But if you don't have a quality 3 stage charger (solar/shore power) they will still suffer reduced life from undercharging.

If you have a good charger already, going to flooded batteries will improve the bank life. As many AGMs should not be float charged above 13.3V. Some AGMs (such as fullriver brand) are fine with 13.6V float charging.

The fact that manufactures don't install a real charger in their RVs baffles me. :thinking:
 

glas1700

Member
My Great West batteries are not holding a charge very good any more and I suspect they are not well suited for the Progressive Dynamics 9245 that is installed in my GW.

My van http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44143
My batteries are 2 LifeLine AGM 125aH batteries from 2/2013 (two Lifeline GPL-31XT page 19 http://lifelineb.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/manual.pdf

PD9245C converter: http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_details/rv_conv/rv_converter_pd9245c_2.html

Should I go with 6V gold cart batteries or something else?
The PD is not outputting a high enough voltage for the Concorde Lifelines!
You need to look at the full specs for your PD9245 converter, not just that one page. It bulk charges at 14.4V for up to a 90% charge, then switches to 13.6V to complete the charge and finally switches to 13.2V for a float charge. You can add a remote pendant to change the charging voltage if desired.

We've been using a PD9260 for almost ten years and it works very well, especially when compared to the original single voltage Parallax converter. Don't be in too big a hurry to get rid of your AGM batteries before you take a closer look at the PD converter.
 

Midwestdrifter

Engineer In Residence
My mistake, I assumed it was a constant voltage converter based on the linked spec page. :cheers:

I will still argue that the lack of temperature compensation is important for those operating in hot environments. 14.4V is not suitable for battery temperatures above 70-80F.

Regardless, It sounds like you may have a problem elsewhere, as the PD9200 charge profile is not abusive (for lifelines) except in hot conditions. Checking the charge voltages, and wiring would be a good idea. Of course abuse could have killed them early as well.

As indicated above the charge profile is generally compatible with AGM batteries.
 

Boxster1971

2023 Sprinter 2500 144wb AWD
My mistake, I assumed it was a constant voltage converter based on the linked spec page. :cheers:

I will still argue that the lack of temperature compensation is important for those operating in hot environments. 14.4V is not suitable for battery temperatures above 70-80F.

Regardless, It sounds like you may have a problem elsewhere, as the PD9200 charge profile is not abusive (for lifelines) except in hot conditions. Checking the charge voltages, and wiring would be a good idea. Of course abuse could have killed them early as well.

As indicated above the charge profile is generally compatible with AGM batteries.
I think the charge profile from the PD9245 is all wrong for Lifeline AGMs.

While I agree that a temperature compensated 3-stage charger, like a Magnum, is best - they are expensive. So it comes down to a cost factor - likely why GW installed the PD9245 in the first place.

What I thought was a real shame is my 2013 Airstream Interstate with a nice Magnum MS1000 Inverter/Charger and a pair of Lifeline AGM batteries, but no temperature compensation. It appears that when Airstream started installing the Magnums in 2013 they just tossed the temperature sensor. What a shame - but now they have gotten smarted and install the temp sensor. First thing I did after realizing the error was install a temp sensor.

I have since upgraded to a Magnum MS2000 and four 6V Lifeline AGMs. A big bucks upgrade ($3,000) but a whole new capability for my use of the van.
 

JesseLibertine

New member
Thanks for all the great replies!

You can add a remote pendant to change the charging voltage if desired.

We've been using a PD9260 for almost ten years and it works very well, especially when compared to the original single voltage Parallax converter. Don't be in too big a hurry to get rid of your AGM batteries before you take a closer look at the PD converter.
The remote pendant lets you cycle through the charging modes but does not let you change the voltage AFAIK.

Boxster is like the third person I have described this to and decided the PD9245 was not charging LifeLine AGM batteries correctly.

At this point if I cannot recover these LifeLines I have 3 choices:

- Change to batteries better suited for the PD9245, flooded and/or 6V probably for cost.
- Change my PD9245 and batteries.
- Add a 3 stage Solar Charger and batteries.

Not decided yet... We will see if I can recover these LifeLines!
Leaning towards option 3 due to its cool factor...
 
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JesseLibertine

New member
We've been using a PD9260 for almost ten years and it works very well, especially when compared to the original single voltage Parallax converter. Don't be in too big a hurry to get rid of your AGM batteries before you take a closer look at the PD converter.
Also, what batteries do you use with your PD9260?
 

glas1700

Member
Also, what batteries do you use with your PD9260?
Our current batteries are 6V Interstate deep cycle FLA, purchased at Costco. Previous pair were also FLA, purchased at Costco. I changed them at the five year point, even though they still held a good charge. Because the cost is low, ~$80 each, I've decided to go with a five year replacement cycle instead of trying to see how long they will last.
 

JesseLibertine

New member
Our current batteries are 6V Interstate deep cycle FLA, purchased at Costco. Previous pair were also FLA, purchased at Costco. I changed them at the five year point, even though they still held a good charge. Because the cost is low, ~$80 each, I've decided to go with a five year replacement cycle instead of trying to see how long they will last.
That is cheap!!!

Right now I have the two 12volt 125 aH LifeLines which are very $$ but for $80 a pop four 6V Interstates is cheap!

Thanks, sounds like a move to 4 cheap 6V batteries and a Solar panel and charger are in my future...
 
Thanks everyone. The converter manufacturer finally answered my question. The PD9200 works well on AGM. The tech support guy was shocked that their specs did not mention it. I figured it had to because it's a pretty high tech gadget with a microprocessor. It has three different charge modes and voltages, automatically selected based on battery state. 14.4, 13.6 and 13.2. They call them Boost, Normal and Storage modes respectively. Now I just need to get rid of these Napa batteries and get some deep cycles that can power an RV inverter all night.
 

bayou2beach

New member
You need to look at the full specs for your PD9245 converter, not just that one page. It bulk charges at 14.4V for up to a 90% charge, then switches to 13.6V to complete the charge and finally switches to 13.2V for a float charge. You can add a remote pendant to change the charging voltage if desired.

We've been using a PD9260 for almost ten years and it works very well, especially when compared to the original single voltage Parallax converter. Don't be in too big a hurry to get rid of your AGM batteries before you take a closer look at the PD converter.
I know this is an old post but do you still use thePD9260 with your AGM batteries?
 

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