Trojan AGM Battery Replacement with Bright Way Group AGMs

[WandR]

I wanted to share with you my recent battery replacement.  My Ollie is a 2015 Elite II which originally came with Trojan T-105 AGM batteries in support of my solar system which utilizes the Blue Sky solar package (SB2512iX-HV MPPT controller and  IPN-ProRemote).

I replaced my Trojan AGM batteries with Bright Way Group Bright Way Group EVGC6 - 6V 220AH Deep Cycle Golf Cart Battery which OTT are currently installing on the Elite II as the AGM option. As part of this process, I contacted Bright Way Group technician in order to obtain the battery specification sheet (attached).  I then provided it the Blue Sky Technician (Ryan Gurin, 760-208-2149). Ryan provided me with the settings needed to reprogram my Blue Sky MPPT Controller SB2512iX-HV via the IPN-ProRemote. Ryan is an excellent resource and was very helpful. I ended up talking to him multiple times. 

In a nutshell, here is what I did:

1.     Disconnected the solar panel via the cutoff switch (street side bed) and opened fuses on the bus bars (also street side bed).

2.     Removed the old Trojan Batteries (after taking pictures of the wiring configuration).

3.     Cleaned all battery wiring connections.

4.     Cleaned up the battery box and repainted the battery tray.

5.     Inserted the new AGM batteries and made all appropriate connections (maintained the original wiring configuration). 

6.     Closed the fuses on the bus bars.

7.     Reprogrammed the MPPT controller via the IPN-Remote using the new battery settings. (see attached sheet with adjusted settings)

8.     Reconnected the solar panel via the cutoff switch.

9.     Verified solar system was operating correctly and batteries were charging as appropriate.

Additional Notes:

1.     If changing to AGM from Wet Cells, you must ensure the equalization dip switch on the MPPT controller is off.  You do not want to equalize AGM batteries.  The dip switch will override the IPN-ProRemote settings.  

2.     Bright Way Group batteries have the same dimensions as the Trojan batteries so they fit in the tray (just as tight).

3.     Recommend you review the Blue Sky Learning Center video on how to program the IPN-ProRemote.

4.     IPN-Remote Programming instructions (attached) – please note I downloaded the menu sheet from the IPN-ProRemote manual and annotated the needed updates.  I found it easier to utilize this menu sheet in order to understand where I was in the programming process (most parameters do not change). As you review, please note you should “restore default settings” first from the set-up menu. I have highlighted in yellow the menu options that you will need to perform an action on.  The new settings are also highlighted in yellow next to the appropriate menu box. 

Hope this helps anyone considering replacing their AGM batteries.

1492893628_BlueSkyIPN-ProRemoteRe-programming.pdf BWG_Spec_Sheet_BW EVGC-220A-AM Final.pdf

[geokeg]

WandR,

Thanks!  Excellent write up and very helpful.  We have Hull 178, acquired in Oct. 2016.  We have the Trogan AGM batteries and when they get replaced I will do as you did.  So far our solar system has kept them in fine shape.

[SeaDawg]

12 hours ago, WandR said:

. Ryan is an excellent resource and was very helpful. I ended up talking to him multiple times. 

Agreed. For those of us with BlueSky equipment, Ryan is a wonderful resource. Very thorough, professional,  and patient.

Watching the videos in the learning center is a great start, giving you some background before you talk to Ryan.

Edited March 26, 2021 by SeaDawg

[katanapilot]

Why would you replace the Trojan batteries with Bright Way? The Trojans are US made, still available and by all accounts - better batteries. I was disappointed when Oliver switched battery suppliers. Yes, I know the Bright Way batteries are cheaper. 

[WandR]

Good Question.  Three primary reasons.  

First, I noticed OTT moved to Bright Way over Trojan and assumed they had a good reason for this - I did not, however, ask them.

Second, I was able to purchase them from BatteryWholesale.com which is owned by Bright Way (Bright Way does not sale direct).  I wanted to ensure I had fresh batteries manufactured together (no age difference).  

Third, does have to do with the price.  I originally was thinking of moving to lithium batteries, however, this would not have been a plug and play solution for me.  I read all the forum comments and actually talked to a few Ollie owners who had converted. Given the age of my Ollie, it would have cost me approximately $2,500 to move to lithium batteries as I would likely have to change my charge controller, etc.   I  was able to receive a 10% discount from BatteryWholesale.com which covered my LTL shipping and paid no tax for a total of $994.  Additionally, not a good year for added expenses to as my son is graduating college and getting married.

In terms of the Trojan batteries.  I started there but could not get the price and shipping where I needed it to be.  My sense is if I got over half the cost of moving to lithium I would have bitten the bullet and gone with Battle Born.  

Guess time will tell.

Edited March 26, 2021 by WandR

[SeaDawg]

Trojan has been the "standard" to be measured against for a long time. Not sure if that's really true anymore..

But from my research,  I'd have zero hesitancy buying Brightway, if I  were replacing today. (I'm not.)

 

[MAG]

On 3/25/2021 at 5:12 PM, WandR said:

7.     Reprogrammed the MPPT controller via the IPN-Remote using the new battery settings. (see attached sheet with adjusted settings)

Thanks so much for your information; what you are describing is exactly what we are about to do. Wondering if it is possible to reprogram the MPPT controller with the new settings while we wait for the new batteries to arrive?  Or must the batteries be installed to do that?  How long should we expect it to take to reprogram the controller?

Thanks so much!

[Danno and Donna]

WandR - curious to hear your thoughts on the Bright Way Batteries after a couple of years ... would you still recommend them?... any additional pluses/minuses? My Trojans have finally died (2nd set in the Ollie, I believe - I'm 3rd owner) - I'm considering Lithium but, like you, want to avoid a bunch of complications ... and, it appears my setup (Hull #069, 2015 Elite II, BlueSky Solar, IPN-Remote) is same as yours.   That said, I replaced a faulty converter/charger two years ago - the new replacement came with both LA (Lead Acid) and Li (Lithium) capability, so now I'm kinda hoping that a Li change-out may be fairly simple (new Lithium batteries, change the converter/charger switch setting from "LA" to "LI", and tweak the charging profile via the IPN-Remote) - I am awaiting a PM reply from John Davies on the forum regarding this (he seems to know this stuff inside-out!) ... If it's more complicated than that, my alternative is to simply replace the (4) AGMs with (4) new ones - perhaps the Bright Ways? ... your thoughts and insights would be helpful - thanks!  Cheers, -Dan

[katanapilot]

Just a single data point but I would avoid the Brite Way chinese made batteries if at all possible.  Ours were never abused, but they failed in about 3 years.  They were very swollen and difficult to remove from the battery tray.

There are better choices available and the fact that Oliver quit using them might be another data point.

[theOrca]

When my Bright Way batteries finally die I will switch to Concordes. (They are made in USA; but with some Chinese parts, which caused no end of problems for Concorde a few years ago.  I had these batteries in a 5th wheel trailer 10 years ago. They started showing blue electrolite corrosion at the + post bases of both batteries. Concorde customer service said some sailor words, but then send me a brand new set of batteries (6V) for free. When I asked them what to do with the replaced batteries they said "give them to someone who does not mind minor leaks, or recycle them." When Concorde sez "sealed", they mean SEALED. You can mount them in any orientation, even upside down if you are so inclined.

[topgun2]

I too had the intent to simply replace my aging Trojan T-105's with AGM batteries when the time came.  But, back in December, 2023 I decided that I had trusted these Trojans for a total of 8 seasons and I simply wasn't about to press my luck any further.

So, I started the process of looking for a new set of AGM's.  In doing this I was looking at various YouTube videos for recommendations and ran into a Will Prowse review of Li Time lithium batteries.  The price and features (capacity and low temp shut off for charging) plus a big thumbs up from Will Prowse caught my attention.  After I subtracted my 8 percent military discount (5% for those that didn't serve) from the Holiday sales price plus free shipping and then added back in the price of upgrading my on board charger to one with lithium capabilities, I was basically right at break even versus the price of decent AGM batteries.  This plus the 5 year guarantee and what has turned out to be good customer service and 10 plus years life and half the weight, I'm now in the crowd with lithium.

My point is that we are now at the price point where lithium is (at least) a serious contender even if one doesn't consider things like weight and longevity.

Bill