Victron AGM and PBQ battery

[gertk]

As an alternative for the expensive Optima batteries I am contemplating using this battery (maybe two):

http://www.ebbm.nl/Webwinkel-Product-6545173/Victron-AGM-Accu-12V-38Ah.html

Anyone got any experience with AGM type batteries ?

[Ton C5]

AGM battery are like gel batteries, so called deep cycle batteries.
i ve got a victor 80 ah gel battery. it gives me good mileages .
not cheap but worth it .

[gertk]

For balance I would like to mount two 38 Ah, is your C5 not a bit heavy on one side with a single 80 Ah ?

[Ton C5]

Yes it has about 27 KG more on the lefthand side.
is it a problem, no not in my opinion . the weight is low and close to the wheel.
you could go for 2 smaller ones on each side, with a switch of put em parallel.

normal battery clams don't fit on those batteries, made a new wireharnas with an anderson connector.
try to make a picture of it tomorrow

[Ton C5]

Had a look today, i ve got a 60 ah not 80 ah battery, but it does goed mileage.

and i made a new wireloom to connect it all

don't cut the wires. just open the controlbox and disconnect them

[gertk]

Today I found this:

http://www.awaccu.nl/product/221-55ah-semi-tractie-agm-accu-onderhoudsvrij-gesloten

It seems to have the perfect dimensions for fitting the original lid, I have mailed the supplier to make sure it has a 'left positive' terminal. Some thick brass plates could make the link between the poles and the lid.

[Ton C5]

here the data sheet, there are even strips available to connect the cover

http://webshop.batimp.nl/webshop/pdf/LZAQLL12550.pdf

[gertk]

I ordered the PBQ battery as it seems to be the best fit, fingers crossed 

[gertk]

Well, the PBQ battery itself fits perfectly in the C5: it clicks right into the bottom slot and underneath the retainer strip at the back. Alas I need to modify the lid as it is too high when fitted. Inside the lid there are some plastic strips I need to cut back so the lid will sit lower on top of the battery.



Alas, the retainer at the back seems to grab the lower rim of the Oldham battery (which is not present on the PBQ) so I had to make a spacer of about 17 mm between the retainer and the bottom. Now it sits firmly. I have modified the lid with a Dremel tool and made two small thick brass strips with a 6mm bolt on which the original nuts fit. From the top it looks quite original.

So far so good, still the keyswitch block does not make a reliable contact, I need to wiggle it a bit to get connection.
More investigation needed.

Next step: check the 'grease status' of the motor, wheels, steering and pedals.

[gertk]

Some more pictures:

[C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER]

Looking great well done ....

[Howard81]

Very interested to know the range you get out of that battery!

[gertk]

Very interested to know the range you get out of that battery!

In my first test drive I have driven 20 km in two runs of 10 km and the battery indicator on the pod dropped a single bar, alas the top speed went down from 23 km/h to 19 km/h.