Who make the best trolling motor battery?
Printable View
Who make the best trolling motor battery?
I been through the ringer on this. Just go get a good battery from somewhere that will honor the warranty if something does happen. Like interstate or Walmart. Most group 27 batteries will be pretty close to one another in run time.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I run Interstate. I have heard bad things about the Optima's, no personal experience with them
I have had the Walmart batteries last 6 years and I am currently running Interstate. A good charger and charging right after each use will help extend their life.
If you've got room for it, go with at least a group 29 deep cycle battery for the trolling motor. I've run Wal-Mart batteries in all three of the boats I've owned, including the current one, and usually get ~4-5yrs out of them. My current TM battery is a EverStart Marine Deep Cycle group 29.
My "backup" TM battery is a EverStart Maxx MDC group 29 .... that actually has 114AH while the regular EverStart group 29 has 122AH :scratchhead ... so don't be fooled by the MAXX title.
These batteries are made by Johnson Controls ... which also makes other brands of batteries.
I don't know if they're the "best" battery out there ... but with the price, warranty, and a Wal-Mart in or close to most cities/towns, they rate high in my book.
Regardless of where you buy them or what brand you buy ... have them check the fluid level before you purchase them, and find the newest one on the shelf !! Some may have a sticker on them, showing mfg date, but they all should have some kind of a code stamped on them ... so learn how to decipher the code that brand uses. This is especially true in the big box stores, as their inventory may sit for long periods of time and they may only re-order a few replacements (with newer mfg dates). :twocents
And, of course, keeping them fully charged and the fluid levels well above the plates will help them last longer. And only add distilled water to raise the fluid level, and only AFTER the battery is fully charged. It's also not a good idea to fill the fluid level up to the bottom of the inflow spout ... just below it is plenty.
Disclaimer : I'm no battery expert, so I defer to "Catfan" for confirmation or correction of my statements.
What about a 12v Golf cart battery? Has anyone ever use one ?
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
From what I have read the golf cart batteries are the best but none of my compartments were tall enough for them.
Several of the guys down here run them. Big thing is can you stand the extra weight and will it fit. They work great.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zman
I didn’t know they weighed more than a 27 or 29 series battery
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
Typically as much as 20lbs heavier.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zman
I like big Deka 31 group. Made in the good ole US unless they have changed in the last year. I run 4 of them in by boat as I long line troll most of the time . CARQUEST used to carry them but not anymore. You can get them at Lowes according to their web site. These are the ones that have individual refill holes across the top.
I'm liking the Exide from Academy. Got the 31's. They have a good price, in my opinion.
If you ever shop at Menard's save up your rebates and get an Exide battery. I got one super cheap bc they were on sale plus I had rebates. I had an Exide on my last boat and it lasted quite awhile and sold it with the boat. My new boat came with Interstate batteries and I have no complaints.
NAPA Auto Parts sells the Deka batteries. All are date coded and made by East Penn Mfg, East Penn PA. They will be marked NAPA but they are in fact Deka's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brush Buster
I use walmart batteries. Convenient, and they will install for you at Paris, Tn. This years model says "made by Excide" and has manuf date on the batteries at the local store.
Another vote for the Walmart batteries.
If it's going to be a while, I disconnect the positives, and use a low amp Battery Tender to top off each battery once a week or so, along with motorcycle batteries and lawn equipment. With no chance for drain, the amount of time it takes for each battery to get up to 100% (After being fully charged prior to disconnect Of course) gives you an indication of each individual battery's condition. If you keep your trolling batteries connected in series as you charge all the time, you might not be aware of one starting to go on the blink.
As mentioned, warranty and locations are big with me too.
Been running the same Walmarts batteries for over a year.
Sent from my HUAWEI Y536A1 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I have had good luck with Walmart batteries too the 27 and 29 series depth cycle
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
Does Walmart still sell a 31 series deep cycle???
I know sams club does
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Usually theirs are 29. Same thing for all practical purposes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampseed
I swore off lead and acid a couple of years ago and got a couple of Optima batteries. Haven't looked back since. Sure they're 3 times the cost of a lead acid battery but I think they're 3 times the battery. My 2 cents anyway.
Are they really 3 times the money for the Optima batteries
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
Yep, and 2/3 the capacity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zman
Regarding the golf cart batteries, on the recommendation of an Interstate rep at an RV show, we replaced our old 12 volt batteries(2) in our motorhome with 2 Interstate 6 Volt golf cart batteries wired in series to get 12 Volts. They are bigger, I had to put an extension on my hold down straps to accommodate the extra height
The difference in run time was phenomenal. We could run the coach several days without having to recharge. The original 12 Volt batteries were running down by the 2nd day.The weight difference wasn't an issue in the RV but they were at least 10-15# heavier than the 12 volt ones.
By the way,these were batteries that operated all the 12 volt devices in the coach. We had a separate battery that cranked the engine.
I like Catfan's simple iota ...
When in doubt (about marketing labels and specs) - buy the heaviest battery = more lead ...
Rickie
In a lead acid battery, that's really all that matters. Doesn't matter who's name is on the decal. More lead = More batteryQuote:
Originally Posted by rnvinc
We use a lot of big batteries in our truck/trailer shop. They're all group 31. The Xpress boat I bought has a group 29 WalMart Everstart Maxx battery in it that's 4 years old. It's as heavy as any of the group 31's that we use on semis and once I got it hot with the charger it took a charge and as of last week was still holding at full charge according to my load tester.
To wake up a dead or weak battery charge them at 100-200 amps for about 10 minutes, then fast charge them on 20-40 amps for a couple hours. That usually knocks the scale off the lead plates.
but doesn't that scale build up in the bottom and short out the plates??Quote:
Originally Posted by FurFlyin
Interesting Tom - the Everstarts I recently looked at still said JCI was the OEM, and I sure hope they keep making them!Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
I am going to have to have a few in the spring...
Johnson Controls has been good for me the past 15+ years...and if CatFan says their good, that's sure good enough for me besides the great results I've had!