Help with Zion

[Don Clower]

I bought a used 2018 Zion and the lady knew very little about rig. How do I find out what AGM battery it has. I may have to find a lift and drop bteery compartment. Does the inverter give me a clue ? It has a screen that says AGM 1 14.1v and AGM 2 14.1v. Any thoughts ? Tnanks

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

From https://www.roadtrek.com/models/zion/

12 V AGM, up to 182Ah

Previous forum discussions described the battery as Northstar TPPL.

Trojan Battery has this to say about TPPL in general:
https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/Facts-About-TPPL-Technology.pdf

You can look at the performance chart in Trojan Battery's PDF.

It appears that it would be a middle of the pack type battery, better than a dual-purpose type AGM but not as good as a high quality deep cycle AGM.


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[gerrym51]

the zion standard agm battery is a northstar sms agm 400. 400 refers to reserve capacity not amp hours. it is 182 amp hours. It is a thinplate pure lead battery. based on RESERVE CAPACITY which is how it is measured it's equal to about 210 amp hours in standard agm and wastes less power in high power draws.

Trojan says stuff to make it sound inferior.

However it's much faster charging than a standard agm it charges more efficiently than a standard agm and it discharged more efficiently than a standard agm.

roadtreks use a big inverter to power a/c and microwave and do large and fast amp withdrawals. tppl batteries are superior in that regard.

However if you are only going to be doing SLOW power draws like to fridge and fantastic fan then the heavier thicker plates of a standard agm is the way to go.

i owned a zion with this battery. I know what it can do. It is top of the line for HIGH POWER DRAWS. it's the closest a agm gets to lithium and not be lithium

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

Another link that shows mid-range performance:

https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_56/features/AGM-Batteries-Test-Update_11767-1.html



It should be noted that the Northstar TPPL batteries have an unusual charging profile that not all chargers can meet. That is discussed in the Pratical sailor article above and also in this care and feeding guide for Northstar TPPL: View attachment Care+and+Feeding+of+Northstar+Batteries.pdf

Nominal Absorption Voltage = 14.70 VDC
Nominal Float Voltage = 13.50 VDC

 

[mumkin]

If the woman has no memory of the battery being changed out, the described is what it comes with standard. It's a good battery assuming that it hasn't been abused.

Head for the hills and see how long it keeps you going before you get a low battery alarm.

 

[gerrym51]

Another link that shows mid-range performance:

https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_56/features/AGM-Batteries-Test-Update_11767-1.html

View attachment 7591

It should be noted that the Northstar TPPL batteries have an unusual charging profile that not all chargers can meet. That is discussed in the Pratical sailor article above and also in this care and feeding guide for Northstar TPPL: View attachment 7590

Marko-2 things-the batteries are judged on Reserve Capacity. the Firefly carbon foam did not exist in 2015 when the northstar was being installed. If you notice the reserve capacity for the Northstar is the best except for the newer chemical carbon foam which was introduced later.

reserve capacity is a measure of High surge energy draw which these batteries meet.

there is no question in a low amp situation-say 10 amps max for fridge and fan and those kind of things-the thicker agm works well. it is not as fast recharging as tppl and not as efficient discharging.

it's an apple and orange situation

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

Marko-2 things-the batteries are judged on Reserve Capacity. the Firefly carbon foam did not exist in 2015 when the northstar was being installed. If you notice the reserve capacity for the Northstar is the best except for the newer chemical carbon foam which was introduced later.

reserve capacity is a measure of High surge energy draw which these batteries meet.

there is no question in a low amp situation-say 10 amps max for fridge and fan and those kind of things-the thicker agm works well. it is not as fast recharging as tppl and not as efficient discharging.

it's an apple and orange situation

Re: carbon microcell foam

From the first test at Practical Sailor: https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_53/features/Fighting-Sulfation-in-AGMs_11691-1.html

Firefly Oasis Marine Group 31 (110 Ah): Featuring materials and a design that is relatively new to the recreational marine market, the Firefly Oasis uses a patented carbon microcell foam technology that the company claims can delivery longer life and better performance under extreme conditions. The Firefly Oasis Marine AGM is distributed through Bruce Schwab Energy Systems.

Re: Reserve Capacity

RC is tested at 25 amps, that's only 300 watts at 12V. Your microwave oven for example could easily use 1,000 watts.

A useful/practical and why-it-exists definition of RC is here: https://www.autobatteries.com/en-us...-replacement/reserve-capacity-c20-amp-hour-ah

Reserve Capacity (RC)

RC is a general indicator of how long a new, fully charged battery can continue to operate essential accessories if the vehicle’s alternator fails. It identifies how many minutes the battery can deliver a constant current of 25 amps at 80°F without falling below the minimum voltage, 1.75 volts per cell, needed to keep your vehicle running.