AGM or Conventional Cranking Battery

[Madmar]

We are purchasing a pontoon boat with Mercury 115hp PROXS 4 stroke. We plan to swim off the boat with a radio on. What battery would you get an AGM or conventional cranking and what is the advantages or disadvantages of each. We were told the upgrade would be $100 for an AGM.

[LTZ25]

I'm no battery expert but I have AGM because I have a hard time checking water in them , they are hard to get to . I would go the extra $100.00 .Thats a fair price .

[n2ratfishin]

Main advantage to AGM on aluminum boats is they are not going to overflow or spill acid on your aluminum causing etching or worse, corrosion. the biggest advantage I am seeing since switching over the AGM is they are holding a charge longer than the last wet cell I have in the boat longer based one how long it takes to top all three off when I plug them in after sitting idle in the garage. The AGM's go green light almost immediately. The AGM at Sam's are right at 100.00 more that the same size wet cell.

[RazorCat]

Sam’s Club has a $25.00 discount on their Marine AGM batteries right now. 31 series for $154.00 is a steal.

[FireBassr]

AGM hand down, better all around battery.

[Jonestrollingmotor]

On the cranking/house battery, get the AGM -- but if you're going to have a radio on, and possibly other items drawing current, you may want to consider a separate/additional AGM for a house battery.
John

[stockrex]

You probably don't need AGM you need larger capacity, why not add another battery in parallel? I never had good luck with AGM, maybe that is just me, but running radio is low amp draw, AGM would make sense if it was a large amp draw.

[ifishinxs]

AGM is a better battery. Then you don’t need to add water makes it a winner.

[Al from Canada]

If you have to store your boat for any length of time you don't have to keep charging an AGM battery......put it away charged and it'll be fine come Spring.