AGM Batteries.....

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NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,184
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Hello all. I am looking to upgrade batteries. My batteries are in a compartment below my aft bunk were we sleep and have very limited ventilation... so the gasing of the wet cells makes me a tad uneasy. I currently have 3 group 31 wet cells that are on their 5th season. I tested them and they are still good, although beginning to fade. I figure I will replace now prior to my long trip to avoid any problems and figure the AGM's are the way to go. My Alt. is a 70 amp Balmar with external regulator. We use the batteries extensively every weekend from Friday till Sunday for refrig, lights and sterio.... Sunday night till Friday morning boat is plugged in at the dock with a 40 amp Zantrex charging system.

Anyway, I was wondering what brand AGM's people use and recommend... I have been told that the Blue top Optimums are excellent.

Thanks
Greg
 
Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi

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Mar 3, 2003
710
Hunter 356 Grand Rivers
I have Lifeline AGM's. Have 2-4Dhouse and one Group 24 starting. I am on my 8th season with these batteries and suspect I will have to change them soon, but they are maintenance free and hard to beat. We use our boat about 75 days per year, but I don't depend on the house batteries because we run the generator when we are out of the siip. When I replace, I will use Lifelines again.
 
centerline

centerline

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Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
when switcing to AGM batteries, make sure your charger has the correct algorithm to charge them... some chargers are set up to do this automatically and some can be switched over to do it.... but alot of chargers are incapable of correctly charging an AGM battery...... and then the battery wont last very long.
 
R

Rob2435

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Jun 4, 2004
287
Beneteau Oceanis 352 NYC
AGMs

I have them as well on a 1998 Beneteau 352 from West Marine and have no complaints. Two things you have to think about.

1. Can your current battery charger pump out the 14.4 volts necessary to charge your new AGMs. There was a dial on my charger, not numbered, when cranked all the way up it put out 14.4 volts but it is at it's maximum.

2. Can your boat handle the weight difference, as the AGMs are heavier than wet cells.
 
NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,184
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Thanks all for the input so far.....

Yes my charger has a setting for AGM batteries (flooded / Gel / AGM) as well as temp settings. Also, the boat will have no problem handling the extra weight.
 
Gunni

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
I'm in the process of upgrading my charging system and battery storage for installation of Odessey AGM's. Will be making maximum use of the dimensional size options to get my house battery where I need it.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
I would NOT use the Optima battery for your housekeeping system. They are not of high enough capacity.

I would also recommend the LifeLine batteries. If you have enough room they now make 150 amp G30 units too.
 
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