Dear Cruisers,

Looking for suggestions on choosing the best type as well as brand of 8D
batteries for three applications.

            Starting batteries: 

            Inverter batteries:   

House batteries:

I don't want to deal with lead acid and believe the AGM may be my best
choice.

Trying to find a few recommendations on type and brand to obtain in the SE
us.

I have a minimum of 11 to 14 batteries to replace so cost is a
consideration.

Thank you for any consideration.

Derick

FWIW,

Though you have ruled out lead acid wet-batteries, those would be my vote
for best cost / performance. My approach for the three usages you outlined
also moves away from 8D's instead:

Starter/thruster:  Group 31.  If more cranking power is needed - two in
parallel.
House & Inverter:  L16, and if the bank is large enough, 2v cells in L16
form factor.

I know it does not directly answer your question with your qualifiers, bit
if there is room to change, the above would be my choice. . . .  And I would
look at the charging systems, keeping the standard Alternator on the engines
for the starter/thruster batteries, with a separate alternator for the
house/inverter.  Provides redundancy as well as allows each charging
'system' to be configured for the correct needs of the different battery's
(ala, different set point voltages, etc)

-al-

Viking Star
45' Monk Sr. / McQueen
mvVikingStar.blogspot.com