Trojan v. West Marine 8D AGM batteries

[ob44]

I am replacing my house batteries (Trojan 8D AGM 230 AH) and am looking at West Marine (8D AGM 245 AH made by East Penn). Does anyone know whether one is better than the other?

[leftbrainstuff]

We have had firefly carbon foam for two years. Wouldn't bother with FLA or other AGMs.

The fireflies are also group 31 size and not 8D.

[Allied39]

Wouldn't bother with FLA or other AGMs..[/QUOTE]

LOL. yeah, 10 years good service from FLA.....yup, don't bother with that.

[ob44]

I don’t know anything about FLA batteries or firefly carbon foam. I’ll have to look that up. Thanks.

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by ob44

I don’t know anything about FLA batteries or firefly carbon foam. I’ll have to look that up. Thanks.

Never heard of firefly, but FLA is your basic flooded acid battery. IMO, a good quality FLA is the best bang for your buck.

[Allied39]

FLA ... Flooded Lead Acid.
Sorry, my reply was not helpfull to your original question....my bad......it's just funny to see so many folks so down on lead acid when the reality is that they give great service (10 years) when cared for, take high amps in, give high amps out, require little service but for checking acid level and are the best value amps per buck of any battery out there.

I do apologize for taking your thread off topic.

[alamoana]

Dear all, I am on Rolls 4000 series FLA batteries for just over 18.5 years, on a mooring. I have never plugged in to shore power. Only run a genset less than one hour per week to make sure it runs and top off batteries. I have had solar for the last 1.5 years. I managed the charging via alternators with an Amplepower SARV3 regulator, and a SCM-55 x 2 modules controlling the charge from the genset. I can thus strongly recommend Rolls 4000 series FLA. I have no experience with the other types.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by ob44

I am replacing my house batteries (Trojan 8D AGM 230 AH) and am looking at West Marine (8D AGM 245 AH made by East Penn). Does anyone know whether one is better than the other?

I would reckon likely similar, but would go for the Trojans.

That said, neither is good for House bank deep cycling.

Pairs of the 6V GC FLA from either vendor will be much better value for deep cycling.

For 8D or other 12V in automotive sizes, Rolls & Dyno are the only two exceptional makers I know of in the NA market.

[GordMay]

Compare weights. Heavier is better.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by ob44

I am replacing my house batteries (Trojan 8D AGM 230 AH) and am looking at West Marine (8D AGM 245 AH made by East Penn). Does anyone know whether one is better than the other?

I doubt many here have experience with both on which to make any objective judgment. My only observation is, while I like West Marine, buying batteries there is analogous to buying ice cream at a show store.

[john61ct]

And note that as a large customer of the OEM Deka, they write the performance vs expense specs.

So on the inside not necessarily of the same quality that Deka would produce for their own label like Duracell.

[CaptRory]

I agree with SV IIIsvion. I would go with the Trojans because I used to use them (flooded) on a previous boat. Buy them straight from Trojan even if you have to drive a few miles and you will get batteries that have been recently manufactured and properly cared for on maintenance chargers in the warehouses. Buy from West Marine and you get a battery that although from a good company may have been sitting around for years. Just MHO. I now use Lifeline AGM and they are great.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by john61ct

I would reckon likely similar, but would go for the Trojans.

That said, neither is good for House bank deep cycling.

Pairs of the 6V GC FLA from either vendor will be much better value for deep cycling.

For 8D or other 12V in automotive sizes, Rolls & Dyno are the only two exceptional makers I know of in the NA market.

I agree that FLA are usually the better value, but wouldn't say that the two brands of AGM the OP is inquiring about -- or all deep cycle AGMs as you suggest -- are not appropriate for House banks on a boat. They have their place, provided the owner is aware and properly set up for their use and charging regimens. Many other threads on this . . . .

[Dooglas]

One thing is for sure. West Marine does not manufacture batteries. If you are interested in West Marine as a source, you should see if you can find out who is their supplier.

[john61ct]

Yes if these are AGM then even less suited to deep cycling.

Neither Deka's nor Trojan's AGMs are much good for that.

Odyssey, Lifeline, Northstar are at the top.

Firefly if you cannot avoid PSOC abuse.

Maybe Full River, if say 40% cheaper.

In North America, that's really it.