Anyone used Duracell AGM's?

[veedubtek]

After my battery explosion this weekend, I obviously need 2 new batteries. Stumbled on these group 34 AGM's at Sams for a pretty nice price, but can't find any feedback on them. Not looking to throw $500 at a pair of Interstates, but I'll just go with another pair of Deka lead acid batteries if these are no good.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell-agm-deep-cycle-marine-and-rv-battery-group-size-sl34magm/prod3590225.ip?sprodId=prod3590225&selectedTab=allProducts&_requestid=263395

 

[veedubtek]

After a little more research, it appears they are made by Deka.

http://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/east-penn-releases-new-duracell-automotive-batteries/

That makes me feel better. Some real world experience would be even better.

 

[MOA_Chaser]

I'd go with the 31's... just because I like lots of reserve capacity.

 

[veedubtek]

I thought about it, but at an additional $60 each, and bimini on the horizon, I'm not sure that's feasible right now.

 

[txav8r]

I have had Deka AGM's and they worked great without a single leak or issue...until they showed a degraded state at about the 5 year mark. When I bought new AGM's for the 240, I went with a brand that O'Reillys sold, not sold on looks or physical external construction, but they were cheaper and all I care is that they are sealed/maintenance free and last 5 years or so. It is an expense you don't have to have, but the convenience of almost ignoring them stuck way back in a hole in the port compartment is what makes it worth it. If you don't have AGM's, watch the electrolyte levels monthly both in season and off season.

 

[Evil Sports]

Watch the levels and DONT over fill the batteries unless you want acid all over your storage areas

 

[Bruce]

$120 is an amazing price for any AGM battery. The capacity of that model is 55 amp hours. The group 31 AGMs that I have are 100 amp hours and the less expensive Interstate SRM-27B is 96. If you want to save money I would go with the Interstate SRM-27B.

 

[MikeyL]

You'll be fine with these. Remember what we discussed.
Good luck.
I'm off to Mille Lacs (Minnesota) for some REAL walleye fishin'.
Be good, Mikey

 

[veedubtek]

I didn't see that one in my pricing sheet, @Bruce . I'll have to email my rep about it. Thanks!

 

[David Analog]

I would avoid an undersized group 34. The biggest model designation in this case happens to be the lightest and shortest battery with the least amount of amp/hour capacity. In order of size, from smallest to largest, 34, 24, 27, 29, 31.

 

[veedubtek]

Learn something new every day! Had no idea 34 was the smallest.

 

[tdonoughue]

Oddly, I can't seem to get any of those Duracell's in the link in any of my closest 5 stores. So it won't show me a price or anything. I wonder if they are not available in Texas or something.

But @David Analog has convinced me to look for 31's when it is time to change. If they will fit in my trays... I really like the idea of not having to worry as much about at least one thing on the boat.

 

[txav8r]

Trays and boxes are CHEAP! I find the covered plastic boxes with strap and tie downs included at Walmart, auto parts stores, Batteries Plus, and many other places that have auto centers. I find that most of the small boxes will hold either the group 24 or group 27. The Group 27 is what I went with. It is not quite the 31 but it is closer to that than the 24. And it still conserves my storage space but gives me a 100+ amp hour battery (actually 200+ amp hours because I have two. Don't worry about the trays...they are CHEAP! The battery is your main concern. If you have the room and a 23 or 24' boat, the 31's will work. In a 210 or 190...your weight and space will dictate that you not overdo this due to performance constraints IMO. It is all the amount of time on the water at rest and the level you play the music, that will determine the size of your battery bank that you need. My guess is that a guy with normal needs around 1000W of stereo, and doesn't expect his bank to carry him more than a weekend, will get what he wants out of a dual bank 24 system, but 27 gets you more time...and 31 even more. If you can get to a charger during these times, and only a single day are going to be the norm, you really don't have to build the bank big. I figure I can get well past 5 hours of continuous play off of my group 27 dual bank setup at levels higher than I will be normally playing. So group 27's work perfect for me, save weight, space, and MONEY!