Trolling motor battery

[es1758]

So I went to get the boat ready to fish for tomorrow and found that my battery has a crack in the case and is leaking, its a older battery so its about due to be replaced. Any recomendations on a good battery, just running a 47# 12v trolling motor pushing a 14' jon. Also would like to invest in a good charger to help get the most out of my battery.

Thanks for the help

[Barnacle Bill]

Here is a good thread for you. http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishi...e-battery.html

[TnT]

I use the Marine batteries they sell at WalMart..Everstart Maxx I think is the brand name. I'm not saying these are the best batteries on the market, but they are the only batteries that I use. The one I have in my boat now are going on 4 years old and I have not had any problems with them. About 4-5 years ago, I had some battery problems and WalMart exchanged them with no questions asked. The reason I use these batteries is because there is always a WalMart close by no matter where you may be fishing. I used to use Interstate batteries, but I ran into a problem with a new battery one time and there was not an Interstate dealer in that area.

[jimp]

I have used wally world batts for several years now, a TM batt will last me 3-4 yrs, the wally world cranking batt in the boat now says 5/06 on the sticker, but I will be lucky to use it all summer long I think. Make sure you do the proper maint on whatever you get, that will help the TM batt to last several yrs.

[SeaRay]

I bought a used Tracker a few years ago and it had an on board charger (2 bank). It is hard wired to the batteries and when you come in for the day you just plug it in and forget it. It regulates the charge to each battery and goes into maintanance mode when both are fully charged. I never realized how handy this is until I got one. I would highly recommend one of these even if you only have one battery since they are weatherproof and dependable. Mine is a BPS model, but MinnKota makes them as well as others.
My 2 Interstate batteries are 4 years old and going strong. I have use Interstates in our Motorhome for years and they are good batteries, but I have also used the Walmart brand and they are good also, and maybe a little cheaper.
SeaRay

[es1758]

Thanks for all the info guys. I will just be running a single batt on my little boat with no onboard charging systems. After all this talk of proper maintance I was gonna ask what is the best charger for charging a single deep cell to maximize its life cycles?

[CatFan]

Thanks for all the info guys. I will just be running a single batt on my little boat with no onboard charging systems. After all this talk of proper maintance I was gonna ask what is the best charger for charging a single deep cell to maximize its life cycles?

An onboard because it has the right charge characteristics and it's easy to use. Otherwise a "smart" charger that switches to float mode when the battery is fully charged to avoid discharge during storage.