Is AGM battery a good idea?

[wp001]

Time to replace the dead starting battery for my 1990 carver 27'. I am thinking to install a dual purpose battery.

I looked at the old one, it has CCA 950, RC 195, 31M. Pretty big. I also heard someone talking about AGM batteries. Do you think AGM is a better choice? Somebody mentioned AGM is not great when close to heat, not sure whether in the engine compartment is good for them.

Any suggestions? What are the pros and cons? Thanks in advance!

-wp

 

[bassman284]

Pro: If you're jumping dunes in the desert in your dune buggy and flip it over, the AGM battery won't leak acid on you. Con: For all other purposes they offer no advantage to a lead-acid battery and they cost a fortune.

 

[alldodge]

Have had lead acid in most everything for years, several boats. Lead acid would last in my runabout for 4 to 5 years, would last a bit more but you could hear the engine slowing. My cruiser bats would last 2 good years and if handled real easy would get 3 out of them. The seadoo would last two years and they were gone, same with lawn mower.

Installed AGM's in the cruiser in spring 2011 and they are still going strong, same with lawn mower and seadoo. Yes they cost more, close to twice with high end ones which I bought. Would I do it all over agin, you bet without hesitation.

Installed new charger in cruiser to charge batteries correctly, my 1994 charger had no AGM selection.

Nothing better then turning the key and not wondering if it will turn over or not.

Installed Lifeline in cruiser, and lawn mower, used Odyssey in seadoo. Plan to install second AGM in runabout this spring, installed first this spring for house battery

 

[gm280]

I have never used an AGM type battery. But the cost would have to be balanced out against the longevity before you can determine if it were any better. Some times a less costly battery will actually pan out better then a more expensive battery. Calculate the number of months each type battery will typically last against the total cost and see which one actually works out the better. You may be surprised. If a cheaper battery will only last two years and a great battery last 4 years, how much did they both cost? Because if you can buy two or more cheap batteries for the price of the great battery, you would be better off buying a cheap battery every two years as opposed to one great battery. Do the math!

 

[bruceb58]

I have 2 AGMs in my Wellcraft. They can be discharged further than a lead acid combo battery and they will last longer. It's the only type battery that I use in my Harley becuase they are more tolerant to vibration. They discharge at a lower rate than flooded lead acid and are more tolerant to not be charged up fully each time.

I bought the Sear platinum Die Hards because they are rebadged Oddysey for a lot less cost and you can get them on sale occasionally. I installed one of the chargers that Oddysey recommends.

I take my boat 20+ miles offshore and run a bait tank so I want reliable batteries in my boat.

Do not buy the Optimas.

 

[WIMUSKY]

I have never used an AGM type battery. But the cost would have to be balanced out against the longevity before you can determine if it were any better. Some times a less costly battery will actually pan out better then a more expensive battery. Calculate the number of months each type battery will typically last against the total cost and see which one actually works out the better. You may be surprised. If a cheaper battery will only last two years and a great battery last 4 years, how much did they both cost? Because if you can buy two or more cheap batteries for the price of the great battery, you would be better off buying a cheap battery every two years as opposed to one great battery. Do the math!

You would have to buy an AGM to make the comparison so you have real world numbers. Then decide if a guy wants to stick with AGM or go back to a cheaper one. Changing a cheap battery every 2 years? No thanks. I personally want the best bang for my buck. I bought an AGM for my GTO. Trouble is, I sold it shortly after.....

My daughter has an '06 Charger that still has the "original" battery in it..... 9 years and counting.... Seems like the original ones last longer than the aftermarkets....

 

[gm280]

You would have to buy an AGM to make the comparison so you have real world numbers. Then decide if a guy wants to stick with AGM or go back to a cheaper one. Changing a cheap battery every 2 years? No thanks. I personally want the best bang for my buck. I bought an AGM for my GTO. Trouble is, I sold it shortly after.....

My daughter has an '06 Charger that still has the "original" battery in it..... 9 years and counting.... Seems like the original ones last longer than the aftermarkets....

WIMUSKY, I didn't suggest for anybody to buy anything. All I was trying to convey was that some times, not always, but some times the more expensive better item really doesn't prove the better bargain if you factor in the longevity of both items. I usually do that type comparison for nearly everything. So all I am suggesting is do the math and figure out which is the better deal. Nothing else. Certainly not stating that AGM batteries are not worth their cost. I personally haven't done my comparison on them. :noidea:

Matter of fact, I recently had my battery give it up a few months ago in one of my vehicles. And I was complaining that it was one of Wally World's batteries and seems they really aren't that good...UNTIL I looked at the date on the dead battery and it was five years old. So not bad after all. Some times we forget how long it has been since things were purchased. I bought another one the same type. I can live with five years! :smiles:

 

[WIMUSKY]

Matter of fact, I recently had my battery give it up a few months ago in one of my vehicles. And I was complaining that it was one of Wally World's batteries and seems they really aren't that good...UNTIL I looked at the date on the dead battery and it was five years old. So not bad after all. Some times we forget how long it has been since things were purchased. I bought another one the same type. I can live with five years! :smiles:

I agree, 5 yrs is just fine by me too. As long as it's not an AGM........

Funny you mention Wally World. I've bought numerous batteries from them including their MAXX. Never had good luck with 'em. Sooooo, I'm done buying from them.......

 

[bruceb58]

For my cars I buy the Kirkland batteries at Costco which are Interstate. They last pretty much 3 years which just happens to be the free warrant replacement point. Before I switched to my AGMs, my boat batteries would last 5 years. For my Harley, a flooded lead lasts 1 year. AGMs last at least 4.

 

[reellittlephish]

I like an AGM for a cranking battery in the Skeeter because I run my electronics off it. I've found I can draw down the AGM farther and still have starting current than a comparable size and spec.wet cell, but this is purely anecdotal on my part.. If weight is an issue an AGM is lighter.

A batteries output and time to discharge degrades the hotter the surrounding temps are. A wet cell might be a little more tolerant but I think a lot depends on the construction of the battery. With an AGM you'll need charger which will not overcharge it. If you are taking your Carver offshore and weight is not an issue maybe 2 batteries and an isolater circuit is the safe way to go.

 

[oldoutboardkid]

Mercury Verado outboards require AGM's

 

[bruceb58]

If weight is an issue an AGM is lighter.

They are much heavier than a flooded lead acid battery of the same physical size.