AGM or Traditional Marine Deep Cell Battery

[carboman]

In all of my reading I have learned that discharging and recharging g batteries over time degrades their efficiency. Just a property of batteries. Usually let mine get very low before recharging. It is a traditional deep cell marine battery.

Just wondering if the AGM batteries are with the additional cost. Do AGM's perform more efficiently on discharge/recharge?

I run a marine vhf radio, stereo from time to time and cabin, running and masthead lights semi frequently. All lights are LED.

Thanks!

 

[Benny17441]

You should recharge after every use. Leaving batteries partially discharge will shorten their life. I'm sure some others will chime in with the advantages/ disadvantages of AGM batteries. I guess like everything the decision will likely boil down to your type of sailing. I have a preference for wet cells as my type of sailing is coastal cruising and the knowledge that if a battery goes bad I can pull in anywhere and find a replacement is comforting. Also in a pinch I can use any old charger to recharge these batteries. The fact that they cost less is just frosting on the cake. It once looked at AGMs but the features they offered were not something I really needed and could not justify the investment in batteries, charger, and monitoring system. Keep an open mind, do your homework and get what is best for you.

 

[Stu Jackson]

AGMs - A WASTE

AGM Battery Issues (from Maine Sail)
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=124973

AGM Battery Issues and the Blue Seas Dual Circuit Switch (from Maine Sail) "DARN AGM Batteries"
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=848465&highlight=darn agm

Why people bother with this stuff is beyond me. Most stuff is, though.

And if "your excuse" is: "My batteries are in an inaccessible space." have you considered moving them? Or getting a boat that was designed properly?

Gosh, batteries that you can't find, service or even see?

Buy a Catalina instead. :dance:

 

[Sailboatlife21]

Can anybody tell me what kind of boat this is?

 

[carboman]

Re: AGMs - A WASTE

Thanks for everyone's input. I have to ask though, Stu aren't you posting in the wrong forum? Good luck with the Catalina Smile.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

On the sailboat, look for the hull number and that should tell you. Could be any for four lmanufactures to include for the age, American, Capri, possibly precision. Who knows. Is there a registration on it and what are the state numbers on the bow and that should help

 

[Maine Sail]

AGMs - A WASTE

Unfortunately that is not my take on AGM's but it is often misconstrued that way... I install LOTS of AGM banks but they are installed as a SYSTEM not just replacement batteries...

*Don't buy them if you can not PROPERLY charge and care for them. Most boats can not PROPERLY charge AGM batteries without some hefty charge system modifications..

*Don't buy them if your expectation is longer cycle life than deep cycle flooded batteries

*Buy only premium AGM batteries such as Odyssey, Lifeline or Northstar..

*Don't buy them if you can not return them to 100% SOC after each use or ASAP AFTER EACH DISCHARGE



IMHO an AGM is a non necessary expense on a Hunter 23 unless you need to lay it on its side....

 

[Scotty C-M]

My take on it is that:

AGM ... If I had very heavy loads. If I were going a long way from where I could get new batteries (world criuisng). Charge system set up for it. Got the money.

Wet Cell ... Normal loads (that takes some calculation). Lower initial costs. Less weight. Get the type that you can access the fluid, then check it regularly.