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I haven't purchased batteries in a long time. I need a cranking battery so I am asking for some advice on what batteries are reliable and good. I have a Triton 18TR-SE with a Mercury 150 Optimax, a 2010 model. I was thinking of buying an Optima cranking battery, so I don't have to worry about water and it should last a while. I just don't know if the Optima batteries are worth the cost. What does crappie.com say? Thanks for the help.
I'm ilooking for a dual use AGM type. Someone recommended Odyssey Marine Batteries so I'm checking into them. Don't have a price yet to compare to the Optima which was $276.
EVER START at Wal-Mart group 29 good battery and good price
Thanks SeaRay and Wannabe for the advice. Wannabe I used to buy Wal-Mart batteries and I had good luck with them. I think I remember them having like a two year replacement warranty which nobody else had. Do they still have a good warranty? Thanks.
Everstart (never start) lots folks call em ! but 100 bucks gets you a group 29 with 2 year free replacement and most stores are open 24/7 Look and get the freshest one they have in stock. They will have sticker on top when made. keep it charged and u shouldnt have any trouble . Last optimas I had was 6 years old and they were in the boat when I bought it . but I know several folks that have trouble out of them optimas after warranty went out .this is how I figured mine 100 bucks guarantees you 2 yrs if goes out in 25 months then another 100 bucks but that means another 2 yr warranty. If 280.00 optimas goes out in 25 months then it’s another 280.00 bucks .:twocents
Check your manual for the required CCA needed. Optimax motors need a lot of cranking amps.
Read your manual for specifics on battery CCA and type. I read on The Hull Truth that someone says the manual says NOT to use deep cycle batteries and NOT to use wing nuts !!
You can read what was said here : https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating...uirements.html
And this comes from a Bass Boat Magazine post : OptiMax Models
2.5L/3.0L
1000 Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) or 750 Cold Cranking AMPS (CCA)
Duracell AGM 31 at Sams is a much better deal than the Optima.
Series 24 EverStart from WalMart has 1000 cold crank amps. Their Series 27 has 750. I'm running the 24 for my crank battery on my Suzuki 140.
Thanks everybody for a lot of great information. I don't think the Optimas are worth it, at least for me. I always had good luck with Wal-Mart and I only had one bad battery, and it was after about 14 months of use. I took it back to Wal-Mart and they said just grab a new one. They took care of me with no trouble. I did like the idea of a sealed battery. I am not a member of Sam's anymore or I might go look at the Duracells. I don't get the wing nut warning. Is it because of them vibrating use loose? I have never had that happen. Thanks again.
Slabby .... that was my assumption. I guess they fear that people will use "finger pressure" to tighten the wing nuts, and that may not be enough to keep it from jarring loose. So, they recommend using a regular nut, because it has to be tightened down with a tool. I think they're saying that for their own benefit, as opposed to the owner's benefit ... so they can say "we told you so", if any problems occur because of loose wiring/connections. I wonder, though ... if they have that as a disclaimer in their warranty ?? If they do, then I would assume it's because of potential electronics/computer problems that could occur in the motor if the battery connections were to come loose ... for whatever reason.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slabby15
I've owned 3 boats, driven them all like I stole'um, had wing nuts on the posts ... and never had one come loose, even when running WOT in heavy waves. I would think that if that were a problem (for me), I'd have put a split lock washer under the wing nut ... a long time ago. :biggrin
You remember how much? I actually need the dual purpose one, and the 31 may not fit where I have to place it.Quote:
Originally Posted by CatFan
$180Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaRay
I have a Deka Marine cranking battery that is on it's 10th year. The trolling motor battery (Deka also) only made it 7 years, pretty reliable I would say.
Duracelll is manufactured by DEKAQuote:
Originally Posted by CatFan
Been using an Odyssey in my duck boat all season. I'm using 1 battery for cranking and all my lights haven't charged it once
Thanks everybody for the battery recommendations and the battery information. Lots of good stuff. Good luck fishing.
Stop by Advance Auto Parts and look at them for the date. If they are 6 months or more, they will reduce the price for a used battery. I used to work there. I know. I bought one for $42.99Quote:
Originally Posted by Slabby15
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Platinum battery is just as good. Check those also. As long as the CCA is 700 or more, you’ll be ok
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I ended up with an Exide from Sports Authority. It has a good warranty but the rep at Academy said they have a "no questions" return policy if I am not satisfied with it in addition to the mfg warranty. It was $179 for the dual purpose AGM.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaRay
What is their warranty length?
New batteries mostly have 1-2 year warranty. Used batteries has 90 days, but the costs are great for a battery that has been on the shelf. I have one that I use for lights that I’ve had 2 years with no problems. I gave $35 for it
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as always great information and options. thanks all.
They went online to Exide to look up my battery. You can Google Exide battery warranty and find all the tables.Quote:
Originally Posted by EWS
Anyway, mine is 12 months free, prorated from 12 to 24 months. However, the store employer told me that they stood behind their products and if I was not satisfied they would replace it or refund 100%. I asked what about if it is past the 12 months but still in prorated warranty? He implied they would replace fully. Hope I don't need to find out if that is true, but if it fails I'm going back to them.
I bought the same battery a year ago. So far no problems. I was reluctant to buy it and still don't have a lot of confidence in it, reason being, how can a smaller, cheaper battery have higher ratings than a larger more expensive battery. What's the deal.
I have 4 Optima Batteries and they are all still taking a charge. The first two I had on my boat for over 6 years and now I keep them inside the house. I trickle charge them every so often. I replaced those with two new larger Optimas in my boat. Those are still working fine today. I have to charge them up every couple of months in the winter. I store my boat inside an attached but unheated garage. One of each pair is a cranking/starting batter and the others are deep cycles for my Min Kota Trolling motor.
AGM type batteries are the way to go.
Mrdux, let me try this again, see if I can get it right. I reluctantly bought two of those 1000 cca at Walmart 11 months ago. Was wary of more cca's from a smaller, cheaper battery. What's the deal with that. Can't believe it but I'm replacing one today. Won't take a charge. The other is ok. Guess I'll try another one.
I too am looking at dual purpose. I don't really want to add another battery for electronics because I don't want the extra weight. I know you recommend a dedicated battery rnvinc... Anybody have the Interstate 31M-AMG? Its a little taller than the 29's but similar weight, height and width; 36 month replacement.