2000 Tiara 3500 Express Seven Battery Replacement - Ouch

[JMGCINCY2023]

All seven Batteries on our 2000 Tiara 3500 Express with twin Cummins 6BTa's and Westerbeke Generator were replaced in 2019.  The water level has been checked multiple times over the years and they check good.  All are the same batteries.  At 5 years old I'm thinking to replace them all.  Would AGM be a good choice?  Any brand recommendations or just stay with lead acid.

Thanks, Mike

[Captaingeorge]

All seven Batteries on our 2000 Tiara 3500 Express with twin Cummins 6BTa's and Westerbeke Generator were replaced in 2019.  The water level has been checked multiple times over the years and they check good.  All are the same batteries.  At 5 years old I'm thinking to replace them all.  Would AGM be a good choice?  Any brand recommendations or just stay with lead acid.

Thanks, Mike

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I have a 2004 38 Open and have 3 engine and 3 house size 31 AGMs from Batteries plus. They are Duracell.

I have had them for 4.5 years with zero issues. I actually going to replace the engine batteries in feb just because I am taking it to the exumas and dont want to take any chances with batteries.

[hiccup]

I have had AGM batteries last 10 years with no problems and still test as good when replaced. Buy a high-quality battery such as Lifeline and you will get the same. Most problems occur when they are run down too far or left in a partially charged state.

[ReelMagic]

I have a 2003 38 Open and have 6 GEL batteries in the boat. 3 for the engines/generator and 3 for the house... I changed the original 6 batteries in 2020 (17 years) because I was concerned they would fail all of a sudden... Boat is always plugged in when docked (even when winterized)... Bought 6 new 31 GEL batteries from NAPA and to date, when load checked, are all in great shape.... Remember when changing batteries consider the charging profile of your alternators and dock chargers as the charging profile for standard wet cell bateries, GELS and AMG's are different. Need to address when changing from one type to another..

[hiccup]

AGMs will charge fine on a GEL profile, but it is true that you cannot charge GELs on most AGM profiles as the voltage climbs too high. I just replaced the original GEL starting battery for the generator in my boat. 23 years old!!! I'm a GEL fan if you already have the charging system set up for them, but they're more money and not as widely available.

[ReelMagic]

Agree they are harder to find but I'm quite pleased with the ones from NAPA, at this point.   Ask in in few more years to see how they have aged... Also agree they are more expensive but with the life I had with the originals, 17 years, I'm ok. As a matter of fact I had the original ones load tested by NAPA after I bought 6 new ones and they stated all but 1 was still over 85% good..... Oh well 17 years is fine with me

[JMGCINCY2023]

Thanks for all the responses. Good real world information.

Mike