Need Cheap Deep Cycle

[wasabi]

I run a Walmart Everstart series 27 deep cycle battery in my Pelican-sized Bass Baby 8' boat. It does just fine but of course depends on the distances you plan to travel in your lakes. Keep your motor below 3/4 speed and it will last a lot longer.

The 29 series will last even longer and give you more safety margin to ensure you do not run out of juice. I recommend the 29 series but bought the 27 because my Walmart was out of the 29 series. It is doing fine and I do a good bit of trolling. You have to be religious on the recharging. Make it the absolute first thing you do when you get home after every trip. Every single time I unload the boat and immediately put it on the charger.

I use a Vector brand smart charger that detects the state of the battery and applies a variable charge depending on how deplete the battery is. It usually starts with a high charge rate like 30 amps (models vary), then the rate of charge decreases during the charge cycle until it tapers off to a trickle charge.

[Kevin22]

Had good luck with autozone. Just make sure you keep them on a tender/smart charger. I am a big fan of the minnkota onboards.

[BuckeyeKdog]

I go the opposite way but.. Wal Mart Batteries are good but usually last about 2 years of course you can take em back next spring and trade them in for new ones. I know a couple guys that do exactly that and the first year on those batteries is very good.

I prefer optima blue tops for TM get 5-6 or more years (but more importantly can get 10 hours of trolling per charge) 2 for the 24v TM, 1 for electronics, and 1 for starting use d31m's for the TM and d27m's for starting and electronics.

Been working on getting the parts together for a friends boat and found a good deal on on d31m's on amazon for a good price.

Use a Minn Kota 460D to charge all batteries works very well unless you forget to plug it in. Idea > Docking Station for Boat!!!!!

Batteries are truly a pay me now or pay me later proposition. My Neighbor gets out almost as much as I do and is on his 4th set of wal mart batteries. My Fishing Boat was set up the first year he had his boat. I am still on my original batteries 6 years and will probably make it through the season his batteries cost about 1/2 of what mine did originally. He uses an old charger that I think overcharges the batteries but that is a different story so to date, he has spent twice as much on batteries. Could have bought an onboard charger with extra money and still be money ahead.

I come home, plug the charger to an extension cord and walk away, He charges each of his batteries individually and its now 11:30 and I just saw/heard him changing charger over again. He will be gone at 5am. I am not fishing tomorrow but at 5am my 6 year old batteries will be fully and properly charged and will stay that way until next trip.

Good luck with your choices.. BTW optima has a sepcial deal right now where you get additional warranty if you buy a battery and their charger at the same time.

[joejv4]

I've had good luck with WM batteries, but like everyone else says, keep them charged and make sure the water doesn't get low. My current ones are both group 27 Everstart deep cycles and are five years old and still work great. I have an on-board smart-charger that I just plug in my boat when I get home and know i'll be good to go next time i want to hit the water.