AGM brand recommendations

[ereiss]

My Lifelines just gave up the ghost after 6 years, okay, I may have helped them along but will probably go AGM again. I can find AGM 31 series at a great range of prices and from known and, for me, unknown manufacturers.

Any brand recommendations? Sears? Lifeline again?

Thank you and wishing all a wonderful holiday season.

[catamount]

I am so far very happy with my Odyssey batteries. But make sure your charging systems have output profiles within the specs for these batteries...

[capecodda]

AGM batteries, Marine Batteries, Heavy Duty Batteries, dry cell batteries

These guys have been great. When a boat yard left things "on" during the first winter and sulfated a new set of these, they replaced them. Great customer support. They also have some unusual form factors which might help given where you want to put them. No affiliation, just a happy customer.
Cannot speak to the long term viability yet, but there are other threads on that within Sailnet.

As stated above, make sure you can setup the charging profile of all charging sources to match the manufacturer's requirements, no matter who you choose.

[PBzeer]

I've had good service from my West Marine branded AGMs (3 group 31's), which I was able to purchase for $129 each (with the Port Supply card).

[T37Chef]

Anybody tried the Duracell Brand AGM's? Prices looked competitive.

[Melrna]

I installed last year the Full River Marine batteries. They came with a 7 year limited warranty and where 20% cheaper than Lifeline. Happy with them so far.

[Maine Sail]

Keep in mind that Lifeline AGM's are the only AGM batteries I know of that can be equalized..

[labatt]

Mastervolt is also an option - they have some unique batteries. We have their PC1800 style of AGM battery which is a slimline unit - two will fit where an 8D normally goes but give you 400AH of service between the two (we have 4). Not cheap though - we went with them because of their dimensions.

[75R20]

I'm an Optima Fan, and have them in several vehicles and my boats. I use a single group 31 (blue top) in my small sailboat and charge it with a 3 amp charger that is designed for the battery, and it works just fine. if you are building a "bank" of batteries charging will be much more important.
Best of luck
Kary
S/V Mariah
#49080

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by 75R20

I'm an Optima Fan, and have them in several vehicles and my boats. I use a single group 31 (blue top) in my small sailboat and charge it with a 3 amp charger that is designed for the battery, and it works just fine. if you are building a "bank" of batteries charging will be much more important.
Best of luck
Kary
S/V Mariah
#49080

I am going to guess you are only charging at the dock? A 3 amp charger would take over 13 hours to re-charge a grp 31 Optima Blue Top from 50% state of charge to full. That's a lot of motoring.