It's time to replace my starting battery and am experiencing information overload! I just added a group 31 die hard AGM platinum for the electronics and would like to replace the starting battery with an AGM as well and add a tender. Any recs on a good group 27 AGM starting battery, around $200? Local reviews are not helpful. I was thinking of just getting a second 31 platinum but I'm not sure if it needs to be a "starting" battery and group 27 or just have enough CCA's, which the platinum does.
Stumped on battery choice
- Thread starter Shaun77
- Start date
Boat Guy
Well-Known Member
- May 15, 2013
- 2,289
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- 400 DA
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- CAT 3116s
I think the 31 Marine is a good choice.
- Mar 25, 2008
- 5,526
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- 2006 Sea Ray 58 DB
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- MAN CRM V8-900s, Twin Disc Drives; Onan 21.5 Generator
Shaun,
I've had great results using Grp 31 AGMs (Both Sears Platinum PM-1s and Optima Blue Tops) on both my Searays - both in Starting and House applications...
I've had great results using Grp 31 AGMs (Both Sears Platinum PM-1s and Optima Blue Tops) on both my Searays - both in Starting and House applications...
mistercomputerman
Well-Known Member
- Jan 6, 2008
- 4,321
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- 410 Sundancer - 2001
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- Twin 8.1L Mercruisers - 2009
I second Carter on the Optimas.
MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
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- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
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260hp Alpha 1
magstang1
Active Member
Group 31 battery in a 185 sport with a 4.3 is a giant battery. I guess it can't really hurt, but do you need to spend the money and go that big?
kaz911
Active Member
I do not second the Optimas at all if you are in a hot climate. They die way before they should. Lifeline marine batteries does not.... Optimas also have very little Ah / Lbs and in most ways are NO DIFFERENT than a normal LA battery.
I had Bluetop in my old sail boat - lasted 2 years with correct charger on them. I put a Lifeline in it - now 8 years ago - and still going strong. My 310 has 2012 Bluetops in (put in by the PO) and they are on their last legs now - so 3 years life. Once they are gone Lifeline batteries will take their place.
I think Sears AGM (Odyssey OEM's as far as I know) are better for the price and Lifeline batteries are untouchable in performance and lifespan.
Bluetops works fine in colder climates though - I have not heard of many issues from people in the North. But plenty from people in hot climates.... But Bluetops are limited to 10 Amp chargers - where Lifeline is can be charged at much higher rates.
I had Bluetop in my old sail boat - lasted 2 years with correct charger on them. I put a Lifeline in it - now 8 years ago - and still going strong. My 310 has 2012 Bluetops in (put in by the PO) and they are on their last legs now - so 3 years life. Once they are gone Lifeline batteries will take their place.
I think Sears AGM (Odyssey OEM's as far as I know) are better for the price and Lifeline batteries are untouchable in performance and lifespan.
Bluetops works fine in colder climates though - I have not heard of many issues from people in the North. But plenty from people in hot climates.... But Bluetops are limited to 10 Amp chargers - where Lifeline is can be charged at much higher rates.
| Batteries compared | ||||
| Brand | Lifeline | Lifeline | Optima Bluetop | |
| Model | GPL-31T | GPL-31XT | D31M | |
| Type | G31 | G31 | G31 | |
| Ah Rating | 105 | 125 | 75 | |
| Size (XY in mm) | 326.8x167.2 | 326.8x167.2 | 324.46x165.84 | |
| Height (mm) | 227.6 | 235.5 | 238 | |
| Weight(kg) | 29 | 34 | 27.1 | |
| Ah/kg | 3.62 | 3.68 | 2.77 | |
| Power | ||||
| CCA (BCI 0f) | 600 | 650 | 900 | |
| MCA (BCI 32f) | 750 | 800 | 1125 | |
| BCI | 195 | 230 | 155 | min |
| Internal resistance | 0.0025 | ohm | ||
| 4 bank weight (kg) | 116 | 136 | 108.4 | |
| Total Ah | 420 | 500 | 300 |
Opted out of the new AGM altogether. Read somewhere that they weren't recommended for alternators without a regulator or something. Plus our camper needed a new battery as well. Went ahead and just bought 2 new group 27's (interstate cranking and a die hard deep cycle) for less than a new AGM and put those in the boat and put the platinum 31 in the camper. Added a battery tender, should be good to go for the next couple years.
my DOG HOUSE
Member
- Apr 7, 2012
- 307
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- 2006 290 Sundancer, 2002 F-250 7.3 Powerstroke
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- Twin 5.0 MPI B3
I put 3 Blue tops in 20 months ago, one was replaced after 6 months and now the original other 2 are cooked. Going back to LA.
sdleo26
Member
- Feb 5, 2011
- 526
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- 290 Amberjack 2004
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- 350 5.7 MAG MPI Horizons w/ V-drives
My vote is for interstate. Find a dealer via their website. They are monsters.
Virtually all Alternators also have Regulators either internal or external. Alternators put out AC Voltage, not DC. There is a 3 Diode array called a Triode either in the Alternator itself or in The Regulator that clips a half wave to convert the voltage to DC. Then the Regulator regulates the output DC voltage.
I like AGM batteries a lot and use them on all my vehicles as well as airplane and boat. The key to long life though with any AGM battery, is that it must be used a lot and not allowed to just sit for weeks or months at a time. If it must sit, then it is critical to always have it on a Battery Minder designed for AGM batteries. It is also very important that your charging system be accurate in its voltage output. AGM's are sensitive to charge voltage and will die an early death if too high or low a voltage is supplied during charging, or if allowed to regularly drain sown and then suddenly be charged back up.
I like AGM batteries a lot and use them on all my vehicles as well as airplane and boat. The key to long life though with any AGM battery, is that it must be used a lot and not allowed to just sit for weeks or months at a time. If it must sit, then it is critical to always have it on a Battery Minder designed for AGM batteries. It is also very important that your charging system be accurate in its voltage output. AGM's are sensitive to charge voltage and will die an early death if too high or low a voltage is supplied during charging, or if allowed to regularly drain sown and then suddenly be charged back up.
