House Bank - Fullriver vs. Odyssey

[DWJensen]

Looking to replace the house bank(s) on our HE. Not seeing any issues currently, but one bank is getting up there in age and as we're now full-time on the boat I'm thinking I'd like to start off with all new batteries (matched) in both banks.

Here's the current setup (we've had the boat for a little over a year). Bank One is three 105ah Fullriver D105-12's (circa 2015). Bank Two is three 92ah Duracell Ultras (2019). Boat has a single Cummins 6BTA5.9 and a Northern Lights (Lugger) 9kw genset, both of which start off the house batts. (Thrusters each have their own 100ah Odysseys and can be used as backups for engine/gen start).

We're cruising full-time on the boat and anchor out regularly but marina stays/shorepower sessions are never more than 4-5 days apart. No solar (yet). I was thinking about replacing all six with Odysseys but found that I can get all new Fullrivers for about $600 less.

It seems like a no brainer to go with the higher capacity and less expensive Fullrivers, but I haven't seen a lot of info on them (although mine have apparently done well over the last eight years). So, any reason not to go with the 105ah Fullrivers over the 92ah Odysseys?

(I know a lot of people don't like the idea of both engine and genset starting off the house bank(s), but I do have backups and we're good about monitoring levels and switching banks when on the hook for more than a day.)

Thanks in advance

 

[rslifkin]

The Fullrivers are good batteries. AFAIK, the Rolls AGMs are made by Fullriver, so that's a pretty good endorsement of their quality in my mind.

 

[ranger58sb]

Most things I've read about Full River have been complimentary.

There are 100-Ah Odysseys. ODX-AGM31 or similar.

We have a similar set-up, main battery banks each start an engine and run approx. half of the house loads.

FWIW, we usually choose Odyssey when we're trying to emphasize cranking amp (starting or maybe thrusters), and Lifeline when emphasizing capacity (house loads). The difference is often relatively minor, though, especially when you have multiple batteries in a bank. Don't see any reason to not try Full River instead for one of those roles.

FWIW, Lifeline makes a G31 AGMs with added capacity, GPL-31XT I think, 125 Ah each in the same size container.

-Chris

 

[Bmarler]

I have 16 fullriver gc2 agms split into two banks. 6 for the starting/stern thruster bank and 10 for the house/inverter/bow thruster bank. Totally happy with them. Would recommend.

 

[DWJensen]

Thanks for the responses. I've ordered six new DC105-12's for the house bank(s) and am now just waiting for them to arrive. Thrusters both have fresh group 31 Odysseys and I think we'll be all set for a few more years...