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Any recommendations on TM batteries, I normally just pick up a couple of the large deep cycle batteries at AutoZone or somewhere like that. My current tm batteries have been in use for 3 seasons so it is time to replace them.
Didn't know if they are all the same or not, I have never tried the Optima batteries and did not know if they are that much better
go to walmart they have some good ones for about $85.00 each that are good batteries!!!
I got mine at Walmart. Group 27. 70 bucks each. Made by Johnson Controls. Also got a new crank battery from wally. The yellow one. Has 1000 amp cranking.
I just got some at Wal Mart. I have been getting mine at Auto Zone the last couple of times and you are right, 3 years and its time to replace them. I've heard so much good stuff about these Wal Mart batteries and for so long, I just had to give them a try. I'm curious if they'll make it past 3 years.
I had two different boat repair shops tell me not to waste my money on the Optima. I got a deep cycle marine for 101.00 at one of the local outdoor and boat dealer stores ( buckeye outdoors). I looked at the walmart on almost bought one of those but didnt know how good they were.
Good luck, Stan
mine from wal mart lasted 8 yrs before replacing them just check the acid level and keep charged
WM batts are a good buy for the $$, depending on how you care for them, should last 3-4 yrs. I was reading some notes I made back when i bought my boat, and the tech at the dealer said to run the TM batt down pretty good as often as you can, and then recharge it, it will last longer. How much truth to that method, can't really say. I just put a new WM TM batt in this month, and plan on trying this method as much as possible. Others on here hook the charger up as soon as they get home, and leave it hooked up till they leave again. there are different methods for different people.
If you are only getting 3 to 4 years from your battery and if you are properly recharging them I would defiantly get another brand. My Ac delco's are 5 years old and still have life in them. I will probably change over to sears platinum this spring. The platinum is a beast of a battery and recharges in half the time as wet cells. And has the 3 year warranty. I have also read on other boards that optima is not lasting but a year or two.
That would be the worst possible thing you could do to a battery. Every discharge recharge cycle reduces the battery's capacity, and the deeper you discharge it, the worse it is. Every minute the battery spends at less than full charge results in irreversible sulfation.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimp
I have to wonder how often you guys that say your TM batt are lasting 4-5 years fish. The reason I ask that is. I put my boat in the water about 70 times a year. I get 2 years out of my trolling moter battery. I have tried 3 or 4 diff brands and they all seem to need replaced after 2 years. I have an excellent on board charger that works great. I fish hard when I go. I have friends that fish a lot of green carp tourneys and they tell me they only get 1 year out of thier TM battery. Again they prefish a couple of days before the tourney and fish at least 2 tourneys a month. I guess if a guy only fishes a couple times a month. He might be able to make a TM battery last 4 or 5 years. Don't know?
I swear by Interstate batteries but where I work is an Interstate dealer so I can get them for $50, but I just bought a new boat and replaced all the batteries so I guess ill see what kind of life I get out of em.
Delco Voyager. They cost a little more but last forever.
You've got it about right. There are only so many fill-ups in a battery, and the more you use it, the faster you use it up. Heavy fishing can kill one in a year.Quote:
Originally Posted by PIGINTHEPIGPEN
That has always been my understanding, that any given batt has so many discharge/charge cycles and you will be replacing them. Leaving them connected works good until a storm comes along and a lightning strike takes out the charger. Other than that, charge em when you're done unless the use was so minimal that it isn't necessary. Mine last 3 yrs or so and then I notice that they draw down quicker than usual. WM batts been in my boats for quite some time, but interstates are as good. Just my opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by CatFan
I always suspected that to be true. We have rechargeable crane remote batteries at work. I know their life is limited to the number of charge/discharge cycles not the amount of use. When I see some one got 5 years from a battery, I figure it's probably just not being used very much.Quote:
Originally Posted by CatFan
I have always used AC delcos (last 20 years) for the troll battery and have always got 5 years from them. Actually I give them away and they always get a year additional out of them. I am out at least 3 days a week if not 4. Get the best battery you can get and it will last if you take care of them. As soon as I back the boat and unhook, I hook up the charger and leave it till the next day. Then I will plug in the charger the night before I go out, after a day off. Im on the foot pedal all day and never anchor. I will be heading to sears to get the platinum's just for the faster re-charge. IM all for saving money, but I dont buy the cheapest crap out there. I would rather pay a little more now and have it last longer.
Recharge ASAP (as you are off the water). Try not to go below 70% and you can get long life out of your batteries.
How to restore and prolong lead-acid batteries – Battery University
interesting read.
Let me ask this, I have two onboard chargers, one for starting and electronics batteries and the other for TM batteries.
Is it better to leave them plugged in ALL the time or just to charge batteries and then unplug.
Both of mine are Guest on-board chargers
I always plug them in as soon as I come off the water and if I am fishing a lot I just leave them plugged in until next trip which could be next day or the next week. In the off season(deer season) I store my boat at a friends shop and they are not plugged in at all then which will be from Sept-late December
I think the Auto Zone has the best warranty. 3yr. 1yr. free replacement. just bring back every year and get new ones
Ended up going to Sams yesterday and getting two DC 27's, this was actually same thing I had in my boat.
Last ones were dated 2/07 so I guess it was MORE than a couple of years.
Took my about an hour to remove old ones and install new ones, I hate freaking dealing with batteries for some reason or pretty much anything electrical
2 weeks from today and I will be ready to hit the water again
My Last Choice of Batteries was a brand Called Trojan. They make one hell of a battery. I had a set for about 4 years then They froze in the boat. Forgot to charge them and then the winter cold froze them things. OOOPPSS got another set and I like them. Hard to find. We have a company by us called battery specialitiest and they have some good batteries also,
Always heard good things about Trojan batteries but have never seen them around here.
I will use my tm from now through middle/late May and then I will use it for some inshore fishing in Charleston SC but for the most part the sit idle for at least half of the year
I have the same prob. Doesn't matter what brand batteries or tm, about 2 yrs is all I get out of them. Like you I fish 3 days/week 6 months a yr.(avg). I have tried several diff batts, tms, and chargers.Quote:
Originally Posted by PIGINTHEPIGPEN
I honestly thought mine were not as old as they were, most guys that I know that fish a lot will change out TM batteries every couple of years.
I guess I will fish about 40-50 days a year total but a lot of that time, probably half or better, is fishing without using trolling motor at all. I guess that is why mine last as long as they do.
Also most of my fishing is going to be daylight till right after lunch so mine do not get run down at all, few days I will fish all day but not many. Lot of my fishing will be trolling with big motor, cut bait fishing or trolling in saltwater.