Deep Cycle Battery?

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good deep cycle battery? It seems like I go through a new battery at least once or twice a year. I talked to a salesman at BassPro and told him that I trol almost continuously. I run two batteries together and easily run them from 6:00am until 4:00pm each time I am out. He suggested that that much use is hard on them and that I am simply going to go through a bunch of batteries. I keep them charged up all winter long but never remove them even though I know people suggest you do so. I never purchase an expensive brand simply because I go through so many. I buy the $50 to $60 Walmart brand. Is this my problem? Am I really going to get more years out of one of these $100 or even $200 brands. I am willing to pay $200 if I have to but if it failed like my others do I would want to put it through the shops window. A neighbor who bass fishes a lot says he has to replace his at least every two years so maybe I am getting what I am supposed to get out of them.

I have had really good luck with AC Delco trolling batteries the ones I am using now are 3 yrs. old. I still use one that was built in 1998 in a jon boat not on a trolling motor but for a spotlight and aerator.

I've had good luck with Interstate deep cycle batteries.
The one in the boat now is 4 plus years old. I don't take the batteries
out in the winter, but I do have a two bank onboard charging system
I use. One trick I think is to run the battery down low so when it charges,
it gets a full charge. I can run my 17 1/2 boat with 54lb thrust troller for
two full days without charging. Interstate can be found at many repair shops
or small time mechanics.

Just my 2 cents.

I bought two blue top optima batteries at the beginning of the year. They are expensive $422.00 for two batteries. I got them at batteries plus and they told me they should last for 5 to 7 years. They do not have the voltage drop also like other batteries have when using you trolling motor. I really like them so far.

+1 for Interstate, I have them in my boat and me and the wife's car. Good batteries and they back them up.

Heavy use is going to eat batteries. Nothing out there compares to the Walmart batteries for the price, and very little compares with them if price isn't part of the equation.

had the same problem till i switched to blue top optima 4 years now and still work great.

I wouldn't put another Optimal battery in my boat ever again, it didn't last any longer that the Autozone batteries (3years) I've been buying. Personally the only batteries I've had last less than 3 yeats were a set I left hooked to an onboard charger all winter. I know those chargers a SUPPOSED to shut off but I think it fried them batteries.
Stick with the Wally World batteries just don't leave them on the charge all winter. Durring winter put them on the charger for a few hours every 2-3 weeks they'll last 3 years.

I also use the Wally World batteries. Agree with crappiemax, use them, charge them and put them in a cool place during the winter and give them a charge every so often. Also, only use distilled water to refill a low battery.

Optima has been good for me.

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Originally Posted by Jigboy

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good deep cycle battery? It seems like I go through a new battery at least once or twice a year. I talked to a salesman at BassPro and told him that I troll almost continuously. I run two batteries together and easily run them from 6:00am until 4:00pm each time I am out. He suggested that that much use is hard on them and that I am simply going to go through a bunch of batteries. I keep them charged up all winter long but never remove them even though I know people suggest you do so. I never purchase an expensive brand simply because I go through so many. I buy the $50 to $60 Walmart brand. Is this my problem? Am I really going to get more years out of one of these $100 or even $200 brands. I am willing to pay $200 if I have to but if it failed like my others do I would want to put it through the shops window. A neighbor who bass fishes a lot says he has to replace his at least every two years so maybe I am getting what I am supposed to get out of them.

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buy what ever fits your budget and make sure you use the warranty. I troll a lot myself and one thing i always do is re-charge as soon as i get home

Have tried all of the above mentioned batteries. We have a large boat and stay on the TM constanly all day. We fish from Sept thru April every year. In that time frame we average 120 trips. With WMT or Delco, etc we had to get a new set of batteries at Christmas and another new set at the beginning of each season , Sept. We finally spent the money for Blue top optimas. We finally see them getting weak after 3 years. We have an onboard charger with a 24 v system.

The Interstate batteries that came with my 2005 Tracker are still as lively as when new! I do re-charge as soon as I come in. Also keep water levels full! Always bring mine in during winter with a full charge!

Deka makes a good battery for the price around a 100 I am on my 3rd pair main thing with any battery don't overcharge it and keep water in it if you can

Thanks for all the suggestions. A lot to thing about with a mix of opinions.

Found out the battery was two weeks past the warrenty date but they are going to prorate it. I am taking it back to Walmart tomorrow. Hopefully I will get a good bit of money back but we will see. Anything is better then nothing.

Even better news. Took it back today and they had no clue how to prorate the battery so they gave me a brand new one with a new warrenty. Even though I got the same brand battery that failed way to quick at least it was free and free is good.

you must have taken it back to my store, they'll take just about anything back. I've even had a couple of bikes returned that didn't come from Wal-Mart.

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Originally Posted by Jigboy

Even better news. Took it back today and they had no clue how to prorate the battery so they gave me a brand new one with a new warrenty. Even though I got the same brand battery that failed way to quick at least it was free and free is good.

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The way i see it is you got the same problem back, FREE. Save some money on the side and get an optima. Had my bluetops 4 years now. Not free but very dependable. Free isn't always good..... to me.

I buy walmarts. Get new ones every three years. Old ones still seem OK. Leave on charger all the time.

I am guessing that my automatic charge isn't shutting off and is over charging. I will be more careful for now on and see if I can keep one over two years.