www.iFourWinns.com

Had a battery stop charging yesterday. Good thing for the dual set up or we would have been stranded.
I have two Sears marine deep cycle batteries currently. Was thinking of replacing both with the same.
Any recommendations?

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

Go with the Sears AGM one. There on sale, save $20.00. The cost is high but the warrenty is long.

Just to add:

The other day I installed my Fusion radio in my boat. It goes just under the AC panel, so the first thing I did is disconnect shore power & remove the panel. I got the radio in & works fine about 1pm on Tuesday. I turned shore power back on. My wife come down to the boat after work an left the next morning. I stayed on-board to do more work (upgrades) and one thing was to put in new mid-ship cleats. Since I could not get back there I used a bolt on type of backing plate. Before I cut into the hull I was sure there were no wires there, but could not be 100% on that. I install the cleat, about 2pm on Wednesday and picked up and went into the cabin. I had NO 12 volt power!!!! NOW I am all upset thinking that I cut a wire. I went back the AC panel to fine that the chargers were shut off. Turned them on & in 3 secs later I has power!!! THANK YOU God!!

On one 24 group battery (Sears made by Oddessy) AGM the boat lasted at lest 24 hours. That's with the fridge on, radio about 6 hrs, mixed lighting, 2 showers, 6 vac-u-flushes, AIS receiver, and the NMEA 2k bus was on. I was shocked that it lasted as long as it did.

Those Sears AGM's come highly recommended on the forums I belong to.

I bought 2 group size 31 AGM's (Duracell or Energizer brand) from Sams Club last year for $108/each or so. I think they come with either a 2 or 3 year full replacement warranty.

Either way, AGM is where its at! We overnight all of the time with the all around light on (Its LED), the fridge running at usually the highest setting, a 22" LCD tv/dvd on an inverter, a fan going, etc... and wake up with at least 12.2v the next morning.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Ugh. I like the AGMs but they are twice the $$.
Decisions, decisions.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

I know it can sometimes be hard to justify something like that, but remember - everything boating is expensive, lol.

There are some things I will go cheaper on (i.e. boat soap West Marine brand vs. Meguiars, campa-chem from walmart, etc) but batteries are one thing I will gladly spend a little more for the better product.

If you have a Sams Club nearby and have a membership, the marine AGM batteries are like $108 - of course, this is for a group size 31 which your 248 might use group size 27's (even cheaper). Something to consider.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

I'm thinking of AGMs for the next set. Yes they cost 2x as much but they hold a charge better and have definite safety advantages. I have gotten very good service from a set of Deka dual purpose gp 27 batteries. They are going on year 5 and charge right back up so far.
Battery mounting is one of those things that is not so well worked out with boats. I used to have them in boxes but I couldn't stand the fact that 1) the batteries never fit the box right (made wood shims for that) and 2) that strap never holds the batt box from moving. I wound up switching to battery trays that hold them much more securely but you'd think some would find a way to make a battery box that FITS the battery and that can be clamped down by something better than a strap. That would be totally unacceptable in a modern vehicle, that costs 1/3 of what the boat costs!!

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I wouldnt go as far to say they cost 2x as much.. maybe 50% more at MOST, sure. I bought a wet cell group size 27 for $77 at Sams Club 2 seasons ago. Last year, I bought a group size 31 AGM at Sams Club for $108. Considering the AGM was a bigger group size and not a fair comparison, its safe to say AGM are not 2x the cost as traditional regular deep cycle wet cells.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Am considering AGMs for my next set. Anything special for the battery tender or can you just drop them in and hook up as usual?

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold