Battery Type AGM
 

A little over 2 years ago I bought a Brute Force AGMHC 34 type...

The thing was only used approx. once a month to start the motor. Put on a battery tender brought up to full charge, and then let it sit for another month to six weeks.

Now it does not have enough juice to turn the motor. Even though fully charged.

Two things...I need another battery any recommendations...

The second gripe I have is this was bought at a local dealer and his take on it is basically we don't handle them any more TS.

I have had it with local dealers...in my area they SUCK! So when someone suggest buy local, well unless they have 10 or more stores, forgetaboutit :eek:

Terry, you have a Sam's Club close by? They sell AGMs with their better than average warranty.

There seems to be two distinct user oppinions for AGM batteries...
1-Best battery I have ever used!
2-They suck so bad I want to use it to kill the guy who sold it to me.

I am in the first catagory. My first set lasted 5 years and I am now on my second. Where my batteries are makes them a PIA to check and add water to. The AGMs fit the bill for me but I have friends who have had nothing but bad luck with them so I don't feel comforatable recommending a particular one. That said, I have a Sam's membership and buy all my batteries from them. The are pretty good with their customer service if you can handle the wait they will take care of you. If money was no option, I would buy from Sears. They have the best rated AGMs and replacement policies.... but you pay up front for sure.

The bad part is I need the group 34 because of the stroker and the size of the battery . So off to Sams and Sears, and see what they have.

Terry,

I've had good luck with Deka wet batteries. Typically get at least 5 years out of them. Bought 'em from a local electrical shop I've been dealing with for about 30 years, were the owner is a real mechanic who will overhaul an alternator or starter instead of just swapping parts! Had good luck with an Optima AGM, but he quit carrying them because they didn't hold up. Switched back to a wet battery because it's not a good idea to mix types (charging requirements are different!). I used Sears Die Hard for a few years until I concluded it was just a battery rental program . . . none of them lasted more than 2 years but the warranty allowance was enough that it was slightly cheaper to buy another one than buy a REAL battery! Finally got tired of the hassle and bought a real battery! Denny

From what I hear......as with most everything they sell, the Sam's Club AGMs are made by DEKA just branded as "DuraCell". I think they are group 31 and cost about $170.

Great results here with AGM (Odessey), rolling into year 4 with them.
They get topped up once or twice a month by onboard Marine battery tenders.

They are suppose to be more finicky about charging so I went with the battery tender and so far I have been very happy.

Deka makes great batteries. In another life I used hundreds of the group 27 and thousands of the group 24 gel batteries. Really consistent.

AGMs can make great (cranking) power, but are finicky with charge profile. You can dry them out. A tender/maintainer designed for a wet battery might do this.

I have had decent luck with walmart batteries for my powerstroke diesel. Get the newest date code in the rack, and pick them up. Often times the $107 battery weighs 8 lb more than the $104. (The group 65 diesel battery price)

That's a lot of lead, and resulting capacity for $3. Totally worth the difference. As is a 6 watt solar panel. The 6 watt Ganz Eco-Flex does a great job on my flooded batteries in the center console. And you can step on the solar panel, too.

I've been using Optima batteries for the last 13 years. I have 4 in the 33', 2 big blues for house and port engine, 2 reds, 1 starboard engine, 1 genset. They are now about 6 years old and holding up well. They are on an automatic charger full time. I also have a small blue top on a small jet boat (175 hp sport jet) that's not getting a lot of use this and last year, battery switch off, no charger, cranks good after several months. I did loose 2 on another boat because the charger died. All in all they have been real good. I should note that I sell Interstate batteries and they handle optima.

I have 2 Optima blue tops that stay hooked to an on-board charger. They're 6-7 years old.

Went with an Odessey group 34 battery AGM. Same size as my old one plus it has a full replacement warranty for 48 months. Less expensive than what I paid for the other one 2 years ago, and a better warranty.

Good call, Terry. I use Deka AGMs and they are on year 6, but you can't beat a 4 year replacement warranty. Who did you get them through?

My semi local "Batteries Plus" ;)

You fried that battery with the battery tender. DO NOT use the tender on your new AGM batteries because you will fry them too. Get yourself a good quality proper charger to handle AGM's.

Another vote for deka here.

Another Vote for Deka AGM (Actually mine are West Marine SeaMate) or something like that. I was told by a friend that works for Deka that they were made for West Marine by Deka. She also told me that Deka gives West Marine a good deal because the owners of Deka love boating, etc and are tight with the West Marine guy's..

I bought mine in 2007, but really started using them in 2008 (Group 31 AGM). I can start my Diesel with either battery and they are still going strong. I am not looking forward to replacing them, I paid 150.00 each with my Port Supply card in 2007, now they are close to double that now. I do recommend a good on board charger that is Made for AGM, I think that is the main reason the batteries have lasted this long. Mine is a ProMariner Pro Sport. The first one lasted just over a year, then I sent it in and they replaced it with a newer, improved model at a small up charge. This one is going on 4 years. I plug it in the night before a trip.

I buy the Sears Platinum when they go on sale. The 31 size has the same specs as the Odessey, same size, case, ratings. Some say that they are not the same so I dunno, but I've had good luck with them. I wanted AGM because they are in the console and I was mainly concerned with shock loads. They charge up real fast which is nice also. I've also read, they like to be charged at 40 amps or more to make them last. My Yamaha F115 doesn't quite make that but so far so good. My Suzuki 225 EFI didn't make 40 amps either but when I sold the boat, both Sears Platinums were doing well after 2+ years.

Is this true :confused:

This is what there short description says:

The 2 Bank Battery Tender® Charging Station is two encased 1.25 amp battery chargers designed to fully charge a battery and maintain it at proper storage voltage without the damaging effects caused by trickle chargers. This charger will operate anywhere in the world!
2 independent charging stations.
12 volts @ 1.25 amps per station.
Extremely lightweight! Less than 3 lbs!
Operates anywhere in the world! 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz.
25 ft leads available (NOT INCLUDED).
Microprocessor controlled constant current charging!
Reverse Polarity Protected.
Spark Proof.
Perfect for all AGM (absorbed glass mat), sealed maintenance free and flooded batteries
Complies with US and international safety standards (UL/CE).
2 year warranty!

I have had no issues with my battery tenders and agm's.

Who was the dealer terry or pm.
Call me crazy but i bout 4 batteries at west marine.

Sears Platinum group 31 duals for me. Single OB. Sears Platinum 31=Odyssey. They go on sale on occasion.

BEP cluster for isolation with a voltage relay. http://www.bepmarine.com/home-mainmenu-8/product-278/ This rocks. No more switching manually to charge each battery and that non sense.

"The VSR allows for two batteries to be charged at the same time. When the engine is started, and the start battery reaches 13.7 Volts, the relay closes, Combining the battery banks (start and house) and allowing them to be charged
simultaneously. When the engine is stopped and the voltage drops to 12.8 Volts, the relay will open separating the batteries. This system eliminates the possibility of draining the wrong battery and protects sensitive electrical equipment powered from the house battery from harmful engine start up spikes." from mnual http://www.bepmarine.com/media/produ...73148082df.pdf

I also have a battery charger/tender rated for AGM, but forget the brand and name. Boat is about mile away can look if want.

I'd put a volt meter on your batter tender, it does seem like that might be a probable issue. You will know soon enough though :(. I have left my dual AGM Sears Plat 31 batteries in the boat all winter and season now for 5th year.

Never an issue.