gel type batteries or AGM

[downriver]

I am looking to replace a battery in a 12 volt system and wondering what type of battery would you all recommend GEL or AGM
.
Thanks for all your comments,
BOB

[Glen Bunnell]

Depends on the amount of money you want to spend and the length of time you want the battery to last. My recommendation is the TROJAN battery. Have yet to experience one better.


Glen Bunnell

[czy42strokes]

I tried the Optimas. Bought two of them for my trolling motor. Pd 150 each. I charged them as soon as possible after use and had them hooked up to the motor to charge them up when running, but unfortunately they had died after three years. Not sure what went wrong but for the kind of money I spent I was hoping for more than three years..

[Glen Bunnell]

I responded to the other posting, but if you want to extend the life of any battery, email me and I will tell you about a product that will help.

[Goin4it]

I looked at these this year because I thought they might be better. I changed my mind and went back to the Trojan batteries. The reasons are that apparently both the AGM and Gel batteries need something other than the typical deep charger to realize their full performance. For the money the wet cell Trojan is the best for me. Check out manufacturer specs for required charging and see if it works for what you have. They do make special charging units for the gel and AGM from what I have heard.

[Steve(CO)]

Are the Trojans maintenanace free or do you have to check and add water?

[KevinA]

short life in these batteries can be linked to improper charging...if you used a standard wet cell charger that could be your smoking gun

[Glen Bunnell]

As far as I know and the set of batteries that I have, they are not maintenance free. So you wil have to add water to them.

glen Bunnell

[Miami Vice]

Try to fill battery with distilled water.
Do not overfill otherwise acid will spill out of battery.

[Gunga Din]

How do you know how much distilled water to add? I've added water to car batteries before, filling each cell to the brim, and then when I charge them they boil over.

[Dave in Mpls]

Add water till it reaches the bottom of the "slotted tube" you look down to see the water level. I'm sure there is a technical name for it, but I've never heard it!

Regards