[The Kook Abides]

Happy New Year everyone!

It is time to replace both sets of batteries in my 2006 Tiara 30 Open with Cummins diesels.

I am located in Dana Point, Ca. and would like to find the best option for the house set and the engine set of batteries. (2 on each side)

I have been told Trojan makes a good battery? Do I need a starting battery set on the starboard side and a deep cycle set on the port side for the house?

I believe that is how the system is arranged with the port side also starting the Onan generator. There are Deka Marine Master dual purpose batteries in the boat now. They lasted 4 years but I can't find the exact replacement in my area in Southern California.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

[trit21]

Happy New Year everyone!

It is time to replace both sets of batteries in my 2006 Tiara 30 Open with Cummins diesels.

I am located in Dana Point, Ca. and would like to find the best option for the house set and the engine set of batteries. (2 on each side)

I have been told Trojan makes a good battery?  Do I need a starting battery set on the starboard side and a deep cycle set on the port side for the house?

I believe that is how the system is arranged with the port side also starting the Onan generator.  There are Deka Marine Master dual purpose batteries in the boat now.  They lasted 4 years but I can't find the exact replacement in my area in Southern California.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

No one has answered so I will put my $0.02 in. I would (and have on my 2000 3500 Open) replace all batteries with AGM. For 1) no need to fill with water 2) will not boil off water and cause caustic fumes to be present in the ER. Still can't believe that wet cell batteries are put in an ER. I guess they are 'vented' due to engine intake air but not very well. I had 2 instances where wet cell batteries were in almost run away mode when the charger would just try and charge a bad battery and they would boil off the water and heat up so much you could hardly touch them. I have replaced all my batts with Sears Diehard Marine AGM's, which are made by Odyssey. They are a real good battery but kind of pricey. But worth the money IMO. I don't know anything about Deka (no experience I should say) but my AGM's crack up my Cummins 6BTA without a problem and I have had them for I think 5-6 yrs now. NO maintenance, no water, no fumes but again, kinda pricey. My charger is original to my boat and I called Charles to purchase a new one from them. He informed me that my charger would work fine with this type of AGM, not all, but the Odyssey (Sears marine) were fine with my charger. 

[The Kook Abides]

Happy New Year everyone!

It is time to replace both sets of batteries in my 2006 Tiara 30 Open with Cummins diesels.

I am located in Dana Point, Ca. and would like to find the best option for the house set and the engine set of batteries. (2 on each side)

I have been told Trojan makes a good battery?  Do I need a starting battery set on the starboard side and a deep cycle set on the port side for the house?

I believe that is how the system is arranged with the port side also starting the Onan generator.  There are Deka Marine Master dual purpose batteries in the boat now.  They lasted 4 years but I can't find the exact replacement in my area in Southern California.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

No one has answered so I will put my $0.02 in. I would (and have on my 2000 3500 Open) replace all batteries with AGM. For 1) no need to fill with water 2) will not boil off water and cause caustic fumes to be present in the ER. Still can't believe that wet cell batteries are put in an ER. I guess they are 'vented' due to engine intake air but not very well. I had 2 instances where wet cell batteries were in almost run away mode when the charger would just try and charge a bad battery and they would boil off the water and heat up so much you could hardly touch them. I have replaced all my batts with Sears Diehard Marine AGM's, which are made by Odyssey. They are a real good battery but kind of pricey. But worth the money IMO. I don't know anything about Deka (no experience I should say) but my AGM's crack up my Cummins 6BTA without a problem and I have had them for I think 5-6 yrs now. NO maintenance, no water, no fumes but again, kinda pricey. My charger is original to my boat and I called Charles to purchase a new one from them. He informed me that my charger would work fine with this type of AGM, not all, but the Odyssey (Sears marine) were fine with my charger. 

Thanks for the reply, Tom. I decided to purchase the Deka AGM battery that West Marine sells. I did so because of all the reasons that you mentioned. Charles charger was removed from the bulkhead and the switch on the back changed from lead acid to AGM. The group 31 batteries were $300 apiece.
Costly, but less hassle and no water adding. Hopefully I'll get some good use from them.

-Pat

[Crown Royal]

Pat, Like Tom I Have a 3500 Open I replaced my batteries 6 years ago with the West Marine 31 AGM's
They are pricey but no fumes or acid in the engine room plus the longevity make them worth while IMO.

Chuck

[Silver Rush]

Deka AGM batteries are made by a company called East Penn and are very high quality, the company is 100% vertically integrated and  located in eastern Pennsylvania.  I would have no fear with these AGM batteries in my boat and they will last longer than we cells. 

[Chris Burkard]

Keep in mind that you cannot switch from GEL batteries to AGM or flooded cell batteries without modifications.

Some of the older Tiaras originally came with GEL batteries. Gels are charged at a lower rate. The chargers are easy enough to switch over, but the alternators are another thing. When switching from Gel to AGM, you will likely have to switch alternators or voltage regulators. Consult with a marine electrical expert before making the switch. If you don't switch over the alternators and/or regulators, you may not notice much, but the alternators will be undercharging the batteries. When you plug in dockside, if your charger has been switched to AGM, then it will top them off, but every time you run the vessel, you will be undercharging.

Just my $.02

Sincerely,