Our original pair of 8D Lead Acid battery cells had reached the end of their lifespan and needed replacement. After considering the options, we decided to upgrade to AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries. These are a great choice for marine use since they are maintenance-free and don’t “off-gas,” which means no harmful fumes are released. However, AGM batteries come with their own challenges—they are definitely not cheap, nor are they light or easy to handle. To avoid the hassle of dealing with their weight and installation complexity, we enlisted the help of GT Marine Electric, who handled the swap professionally. With the new AGM units installed, we can now rely on a more efficient and safer power source for our onboard systems. While the upfront cost was high, the benefits of hassle-free operation and safety make it a worthy investment for our long-term needs.