A leading question as I just noticed that my Interstate lead acid batteries are 8 years old this month. Granted, I have two of them in series running my 24v Minn Kota. I have taken good care of them and have always charged them as soon as I got home. Very lite use over the last 5-8 years. Do you think I can get 10 years out of them or should I play it safe and replace them?
I'd say ride it out until you notice a drop off in their productivity. Sounds like you keep them maintained, which is key to their longevity. What type of charger do you have? I have Odyssey AGMs and a ProMariner 3 bank charger....Charger is 12 yrs old and batteries were new in 2018. Stored indoors all year, plugged in when not on the water.
I have a ProMariner ProSport12 dual bank on-board charger. Took the boat out today for 6 hours in semi windy conditions and when I got home one battery read 12.35vdc and the other 12.43vdc so I think they still have plenty of life left. My Minn Kota Terrova doesn't drain them terribly.
I was happy when I got 6 years from a set a while back. If I get over three I’m happy as I troll long days and never turn the motor off. I charge mine right away also but unplug after a day or two cuz of the lightning storms we get down here. A good shot of lightning will. Toast a charger and I’m cheap.
NOT CHEAP!! SMART !! 1 strike and you could loose your boat and everything surrounding it!
:yikes
3 years seem to do 'em for me. Switching to Lithium on my next ones.
I usually get 6-8 years from Wally World batts. My buddy bought a boat from me in 2008 and put in Blue Top Ultima batteries and he just had to replace them last year. Now granted they are like $350 lead acid batteries.
I'm going on four years with mine... and they seem to still be going strong. I do keep them charged and maintained as best I know how.
Terrovas are great about battery drain. I fished a tournament last weekend & had boat rrouble on the way back to the ramp so i never got to charge them. I picked boat up lastnight & went straight to the lake. Checked the battery & had 3 bars lit & when finished fishing after 4 hours i still had 3 bars left. My starting battery is also a group 29 everstart deep cycle & it was full charge when i plugged the charger in. I always charge after i get home. Everstarts have been outstanding batteries for me which usually go 6 or7 years for me & i've had two that lasted 8 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by TapOut64