Battery advice please

Bought a used boat last year and only got to use it twice due to health issues but getting ready for this year. Took the batteries up to Autozone and they say thy checked good but due to the age I feel like I should replace them to be safe. The starting battery is a generic brand AGM and the 2 trolling batteries are SRM-27 Interstates. Quality batteries but the date of service looks to be 2006. Would appreciate input on whether to swap them out or not and if so, what would be a good replacement that would not cost me an arm and a leg? Pathans in advance.

I'd charge them up and give them a try before I wasted money on something I didn't need. I've had mine for years.

Well sometimes they just check them with a volt tester. If they used a load tester and they were good, save your money and keep using them. The key is to keep them charged after using them and topped off with distilled water. Charge them as soon your done fishing. Some folks get done and put-up their boat and don't charge until next time they get ready to go next time. A trickle charger when same you $ in the long run. By the way, I always get mine at Wally world and never had any issues. Im sure you'll get other advice.:biggrin

I use nothing but interstate i had some diffrent batteries had to replace them every yr have had one interstate for 8 yrs.

If your not pulling cranks with them or spider rigging if they are good like they said, you should be ok I think. Did they work ok last year when you took them out ? Like others said try it before you buy new

Make sure they have water,charge and run. Then determine if they need replacing. Maybe they haven't been used that much and been kept charged. If that dosnt work the batteries from Wallyworld work fine. Good battery for the price and got one everywhere for warranty.

Good to hear......they did fine last time so I believe I will see how much more I can get out of these. You see so many posts on the web with folks saying you have to swap them out at least every 2 to 3 years is only reason I was considering it. I do have a 2 bank on board charger for the trolling batteries but may just upgrade it to get one that will handle all 3. Really appreciate the feedback .

they are good for at least 5 years . when the full warranty runs out look out .

Check water, charge and use…only way to tell if they are any good. I wouldn't buy new ones till you prove they are used up. As for brands…used to work construction, remodeled a line in a battery plant, they made all brands!!!…just slapped different stickers on them and shipped them out. I was a believer in Sears Diehard batteries before that, now I buy cheap as possible…Walmart batteries have worked great for me!

yep there was a Del FIe plant here . use the ones they built because i could git them for $30.00 . had a worker out there that rented a house from me he got them for $15.00 each so i found out that the others made 15 off me but that was ok used them for over 5 years . got a sears from hem one time . they made all brands thet they could git a contract for .gues that is what it cost to build a battery :yikes. the rest is freight and promotions advertisment and such ..

Wal-Mart Trolling batteries have a great warranty. I haven't bought one in about 5 years but the last one I bought I think it came with a 18 month warranty which is very good for a trolling battery. I guess that is the warranty they still have. Charge your batteries with charger and if it goes green they should be good.

Wal mart changed their batteries last year. They dropped the hour rating. I went to advanced auto parts and got a group 31 battery and so far love it. Long lined all day a couple times and 87% lowest I run with 12 volt Ipilot which is an amperage hog. If you charge right 5 years is average and as long as you run once a month or better, there is no need to put a charger on the cranking battery.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Load test it via fishing. If it is broke go get Interstate Batteries.

Most trolling motor batteries last a year and one day but I have found that if you keep your battery charged they will last 3-5 years and that depends on the discharge cycles. I use an on board charger and it save money over time. My buddy Fred has two batteries that are over 6 years old. Keep em services and keep them charged.

The last battery I purchased from walmart lasted me 12 years. I always keep them fully charged. In the winter i will try to charged them at least once a month if they need it. Good luck.I use a battery till it will not take a charge any more.

I'm heading to Alabama in a few weeks and noticed my batteries haven't been holding a charge like they used to. So after checking the year when I bought them, I can see why. Granted they will hold for a full day of fishing just fine but after charging them, they'll drop off charge about 30% in a few days and in a weeks time, they'll be down to 50-60%.

I have been using a Cabela's AGM battery for a little over 6 years for my trolling motor and an Optima Blue Top as a cranking battery for over 5 years. I've gotten my money's worth out of these batteries. I also have an Optima red top in my truck thats almost 5 years old as well. I don't like the price tag but they do seem to last. My buddy had a yellow top Optima and it lasted him for nearly 9 years. I'll spend the extra money and get something I can depend on. After using wet cells for so many years, I really think AGM's are the way to go.