Interstate Batteries!!! Beware!!!

Just got back from Marine Repair Center here in Springfield. Took the boat over to get an appointment to replace the 2 trolling motor batteries and the starting battery. I have Interstate Batteries in the boat now, that is what come with the boat new. I was told by Marine Repair Center that if I have been having interference on my fish finders it might because of my Interstate Starting Battery. It seems that they have found that Interstate batteries now have lower voltage than other brands! Just talked with my next door neighbor who works for U-Haul and he said that in the past year Interstate Batteries have moved their production to Mexico. And U-Haul has had a lot of problems with them having low voltage. He said that the Springfield office won't purchase Interstate batteries as a replacement battery anymore.

For me I am going with the Exide batteries that Marine Repair Center carry. #1 I am not a Kyle Busch fan anyway!

I don't know if there is anything to the above information but it seems funny that I got the same story from 2 different people in about 30 minutes today! So if your having interference with your fish finders you might check for low voltage!

You may be on to something Dan. I have had several (I maintain 8) Interstate batteries and have had great success (been buying them for over 15 yrs.) and all lasted 5yrs. Well only one 2 yr. failure. I check my batteries often. If you take care of them they last for a long time. Keep the water up and charge them correctly. Having said that my last one has a lower voltage than any other one I have had. Just 30 days old now, but when you check the water its fine.

You can have a failing battery but still meet the requirements from the battery manufacture. So far I have been treated great from Interstate. I have had one in that condition and if you work it they understand yours is failing and will make you a deal.

Still sticking to this battery untill they prove other wise.

Just my 2 cents worth.

X2 I am on my same set going on 3 years with no issues. I run my electronics all day and haven't noticed interference but thats not to say it's not there. I will check my cranking for output though.

You guys are making it tough for a guy getting ready to buy new batteries. Interstate was one of my top choices after reading lots of reviews. Guess I will read a few more before getting the three I need.

Good to see you Brother Sam! What I have been told its a problem with the newer batteries the way I understand it. Well I have not had any trouble with my Interstate batteries they came new with the boat in 2008. Last fall at camp my trolling motor batteries didn't seem to stand up to what I thought they should have. I am like you Sam I take care of my batteries, fill them up with water and I have a on board charger. The way I look at it, I have been working 12 to 16 hour days, 7 days per week since March 14, 2011 in northern Missouri selling fireworks. Paula and I are planning on attending fall camp at LOZ. Boat has not been in the water since 2010 Fall Camp at LOZ. Boat is going to be 4 years old soon and so are the batteries. So I am going to replace batteries before camp!

Their web site says that they are made by Johnson Controls in North America. That probably means they are no made in the USA.

Whatever brand you decide on DW make sure it's a good-un cause we'll be givin em one hell of a workout shortly.........last year you almost killed me in that wind and very little tm.

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Originally Posted by bugman

Whatever brand you decide on DW make sure it's a good-un cause we'll be givin em one hell of a workout shortly.........last year you almost killed me in that wind and very little tm.

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Yep and that is why I am replacing all 3 batteries.

Had to replace my interstate in my 85 silverado this July. Told them that this one had better last. Purchased the last one in Oct. 2000. Almost 11 years.

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Originally Posted by FROSTY

Had to replace my interstate in my 85 silverado this July. Told them that this one had better last. Purchased the last one in Oct. 2000. Almost 11 years.

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I am never that lucky! I hate dealing with batteries!

I have had the same batteries in my boat for 5 years, just some knock off brand the store had at the time in TX.

I purchased a set of Exides earlier this year, best batteries I've ever had - you won't be disappointed.

Brad

I'm running Delco Voyagers. Sure do like the Maintenance free part of them.
A fewBuddies here at work running GRP 27's forever. None of them have had any issues. They say they get about 7 yrs out of them. Mine are 1 yr. old. We'll see if I get that type of life out of them. Hit me up in five.

Here's a good article on Battery Basics.
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/hweb3.pdf


G.

I have been doing a little bit of research on batteries lately. I am currently running Delco Voyagers which are soon to be 7 yrs. old. I have never had any problem whatsoever with them and the maintenace free feature is really nice. In the little research I have done, it appears there might be some advantage to AGM batteries although the initial cost is greater. In talking with AC DELCO they tell me they don't make an AGM battery. In looking around it seems that DEKA batteries might have some merit to them. They are manufactured in Penn. I have not priced them yet. I will either end up with a Delco or a Deka. One additional bit of info, I have been told that some battery charges are not suitable for charging AGM and/or Gel type batteries.Thumbs Up

Well one of my faults was trusting the boat dealer in the first place. I told them that I wanted the largest best batteries. Maybe that is why they are out of business! I guess that is why I am dealing with Marine Repair Center because they are honest.

Greg thanks for the link. Pretty good info in there.

I don't expect long life out of trolling motor batteries, that way am never disappointed. :D Had several different brands over the years, probably average replacing them every 2 years over the last 30 years fishing. Won't trifle with so so batteries, raises my blood pressure.

I run 253 Everready size D in series and havent had a problem in over a week.

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Originally Posted by Double D

I run 253 Everready size D in series and havent had a problem in over a week.

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Dex they are talkin about boat batteries not your heart pump or whatever other type pump you got hid under your bed.Rofl

Ssssssshhhhhhhh!!! Dont tell the missess!! Blabbermouth!

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Originally Posted by Double D

Ssssssshhhhhhhh!!! Dont tell the missess!! Blabbermouth!

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Oh if its posted my missess tells it all at camp!!!Hands ClappingHands ClappingShe is very good at getting Bugman further into the dog house!Jumping Jacks Icon