Are AGM worth the additional cost? Looking at 2 Optimas for $199 apiece. Also do closed cell batteries have to be housed in a battery box for USCG? I have a 376 with limited space. Old 3.5 year old flooded batteries take a charge but have diminishing reserve cap. and don't last the night
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AGM batteries are wonderful for me.
I have 2 group 31 and 1 group 27. They are mounted in the lazerette with a protective cover on them and a strong lashing to keep them in place. I check the voltage each time I use the boat also when I put the boat on the hard in the fall and when I recommission in the spring, these checks are made from the breaker panel in the cabin. I lose about a 1/2 volt over the winter and get about six years service from them. That is ALL the attention that they get from year to year. When they no longer hold a charge I change them.
I have 2 group 31 and 1 group 27. They are mounted in the lazerette with a protective cover on them and a strong lashing to keep them in place. I check the voltage each time I use the boat also when I put the boat on the hard in the fall and when I recommission in the spring, these checks are made from the breaker panel in the cabin. I lose about a 1/2 volt over the winter and get about six years service from them. That is ALL the attention that they get from year to year. When they no longer hold a charge I change them.
Gel are bettery than AGM for cycling
If you discharge and re-charge your batteries frequently, GEL batteries are a better solution. Size your batteries so that your depth of discharge is around 50 to 60 percent of your batteries capacity. You'll find that your battery life will greatly enhance. As far as the battery containment issue, I would still advise that you keep your batteries in a box, even though they are sealed. AGM (absorbant glass material) still can leak if cracked - I have seen this many times.
If you discharge and re-charge your batteries frequently, GEL batteries are a better solution. Size your batteries so that your depth of discharge is around 50 to 60 percent of your batteries capacity. You'll find that your battery life will greatly enhance. As far as the battery containment issue, I would still advise that you keep your batteries in a box, even though they are sealed. AGM (absorbant glass material) still can leak if cracked - I have seen this many times.
why gelcells instead of AGM
GuyT, I'm interested to know what you're justifications are to claim gelcells are a better selection for cycling service.
GuyT, I'm interested to know what you're justifications are to claim gelcells are a better selection for cycling service.
Don't think Optima's are the best for house..
Don't think that the Optima's are the best choice housekeeping batteries. Check out their reserve capacity. I think they are only about 80 amps. I agree that Gel's are a better choice. Do some research before you move. I have received 10 plus years on WM Gel's without any maintenance (you don't even need to clean the terminals).
Don't think that the Optima's are the best choice housekeeping batteries. Check out their reserve capacity. I think they are only about 80 amps. I agree that Gel's are a better choice. Do some research before you move. I have received 10 plus years on WM Gel's without any maintenance (you don't even need to clean the terminals).
Peter, several reasons.
but too detailed to cover here. Biggest reason is how the electrolyte(acid) is suspended and the micro-porous structure of the material and how hydrogen and water and acid dance together. Batteries are a little like black magic. Not every battery will fit the application. Some are better at size, weight, cranking, reserve, temperature, cycling, etc.. Every battery type has it's niche. Once you do some digging, you'll see that GEL is just better for cycling.
but too detailed to cover here. Biggest reason is how the electrolyte(acid) is suspended and the micro-porous structure of the material and how hydrogen and water and acid dance together. Batteries are a little like black magic. Not every battery will fit the application. Some are better at size, weight, cranking, reserve, temperature, cycling, etc.. Every battery type has it's niche. Once you do some digging, you'll see that GEL is just better for cycling.
Not gonna touch the
Gel vs. AGM debate, but we switched to all AGMs on our old H34 when we went cruising. We did this because the only way we could get the battery bank size we wanted was to mount batteries in odd, difficult-to-access places that would have been dangerous or impossible with wet cells - so for us the cost sort of had to be worth it. As a bonus the boat wound up losing its starboard list and we performed zero battery maintenance in the 3 years we had this boat. We didn't exactly build boxes, but we made sure the batteries were tied down securely - don't know about USCG regs.
Gel vs. AGM debate, but we switched to all AGMs on our old H34 when we went cruising. We did this because the only way we could get the battery bank size we wanted was to mount batteries in odd, difficult-to-access places that would have been dangerous or impossible with wet cells - so for us the cost sort of had to be worth it. As a bonus the boat wound up losing its starboard list and we performed zero battery maintenance in the 3 years we had this boat. We didn't exactly build boxes, but we made sure the batteries were tied down securely - don't know about USCG regs.
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