From their text (http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/10/05/equalizing-batteries-the-reality/)

" But there is an answer to this problem: regular equalization. Justin, our full-time in-house battery engineering consultant here at AAC World Headquarters (just kidding, he works for LifeLine Batteries), reckons that, in the case of an average cruising crew that cycle their batteries once a day, equalizing once a month will double to triple their expected battery life."

Funny when on the hook things are different then when one has a home berth and cruises on vacation or seasonal time.

Ample Power doesn't even recommend AGM's for deep cycle! And in this forum (http://cruising.sailboatowners.com/csbb/index.cgi/page/1/md/read/id/177230/sbj/it-was-my-engine-battery-and-when-i-say-flat-i-mean/) even an Optima technician is recommending "conditioning".

Justins comments : http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/08/02/agm-battery-test-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-442

"Sailors have always struggled with all this battery/battery charging and we know why. We also know why you will only charge to 85%. As I stated I probably would do the same thing but we have been working and simulating your scenarios in the lab for years and we think the program that John is on is going to be successful."

If memory serves me correct DDW is still crusiing in the US. Batteries like Lifeline are EXPENSIVE and hard to get outside of the US and a few select Yachtie places. There they are most likely to have been sitting around too long.

Right now I'm backing away from them. Just off loaded two D8 Lifelines that hit bottom hard. I'll wait longer till the cows come home on this subject.

Go Slow
Sail Far
Stay Long