Experience with Sealed Lead-Acid?

[Keith]

It's way past time to replace the 16 6V batteries in my 96V VW Rabbit.  I have had US-125s (242Ah, 10.25" x 7.125" x 11.25"h )

Does anyone have any experience with Sealed Lead-Acid batteries?  So far I have found two in the same size:
UBGC2, 200Ah
8AGC2, 220Ah
so I would give up a little capacity for the convenience of not having to water the batteries.

I am charging with a Manzanita PFC-20, no BMS.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.  I still consider myself a newb.
Thanks,
Keith
96V VoltsCabriolet;  Tango T600 #4

[Keith]

Based on lack of response, I'd say no-one has experience to share

This might be unsurprising.  Subsequent findings on the internet on the subject - not much content admittedly - seem to agree that SLA batteries don't like deep discharge; it dramatically reduces their lifespan.  OK for a PV system maybe, but not for our application.

Any advice, then, on what I should replace my US-125s with?  A new set of the same, or should I undertake a big project and expense and go for LiFePO4 batteries (which seem to require a controller and motor upgrade)?

[leitmotif]

Sealed cells seem to be the cats meow. 
BUT
do NOT ever forget the big lies of marketing
Maintenance free, plug n play n forget, lifetime warranty.

OK maybe you lose some capacity, lose some instant ampacity, BUT in my mind the loss of ability to "look" into the cell and check voltage or gravity is the major loss.  In addition they do have a different charging and float voltage.

Granted with wet cell they lose water, they are messy so you have to clean them.

In short if you had good performance from your batteries replace them with like if not identical.

Dan Bentler

[Keith]

Just a long-delayed reply - I did in fact replace my batteries with identical cells to original - US-125XCs.  Thanks for the advice!