Deep Cycle For Starting ?

[crappie cowboy]

I'm Needing A New Starting Battery And Was Told By The Napa
Battery Man That He Has Used A Deep Cycle For His Boat For
Starting,lights,fish Finders,evertthing But Trolling Motor Which
Is Also A Deep Cycle.he Say's He's Had His In For Five Years With
No Problem's,he Keeps A Two Bank Charger On Them.
I Can't Seem To Get More Than Two Years Out Of My Deep
Cycle Or Cranking Battery.i Trool For Crappie And I Do Stay On It
Heavy. What Are Ya'lls Opion Using Deep Cycle For Cranking?

Spider Rig Man

[crappieken]

Spider rig man - That is the same advice the fellow at Battery Specialists gave me years ago and I have not had any problems with it. I just put two new deep cycles in this year. One of the old ones was five years old and the other was six. I recharge the trolling motor battery after every trip on the water and the one I use for starting and everything else I charge at the end of the fishing season and then again at the beginning of the season. If I haven't used the boat for a while I may chagre the one I use for starting in the middle of the season. I have never experienced a dead battery while on the water.

[whizkids]

I use a group 24 deep cycle for everything but the trolling motor. I also carry a jumper made from 10 ga. wire just long enough to jump from one of my trolling batteries in an emergency. I have never gotten 5 years service from any marine battery. I suspect how much a person uses one has an impact on length of service as well as proper maintenance. Deep cycle batteries are made for a lot of recharges but I think length of service for someone who fishes 3 days a week will be less than for someone who fishes once every two weeks.

[skiptomylu]

They now offer a battery that is a combination deep cycle and cranking.

I have not tried the Optima Batteries but they are said to be the very best and do last longer. They even claim if you have not use your boat in a year it will still crank with these. However they do cost a bunch. Cabela's has them and they not only look different they are made different.

[slabbandit]

I had to replace both of my batteries this year so I bit the bullet and bought 2 AGM batteries. These are "absorbed glass mat" batteries. These are the same batteries I am told that the military uses. They have power to spare and are dual purpose (starting and deep cycle).

They are a little cheaper than gel batteries but they were still about $150 each!

So far I have been very happy with them compared to the deep cycle batteries I have owned in the past. I can't wait to try them on a night stalk.

[KARL]

..since I switched to deep-cycle for starting I've had less problems....I try to launch close to where I fish....don't run big motor much that way..saves some gas...but doesn't charge batt much...deep cycle designed to have small steady drain..ie..bilge, livewell and keep charge longer...also takes better to drawing down and recharging....reg crank batt designed to stay charged and have intermittent high one time draw..ie starting motors....sooooooo only made sense to use deep-cycles for everything.. :rolleyes: .. ...........I have 3 bank on-board charger....just plug it in when get home and leave it plugged in till I fish next time....set it and forget it!!!LOL..... :D

[Len]

What kind of on board charger would you recommend and how is connected?

Thanks,Len

[J White]

I have only ever had one on-board, a Dual-Pro XL, two bank, 5 amps
per bank. Got it in about '99, and it still works great! Leave it plugged up
all the time, except for the occasional thunderstorm, when/if I remember
to unplug it. Seems to make batteries last much longer. It is real simple
to hook up, has a + and - lead for each battery, and a plug in for the 110V.
I have also had great luck with Delco Voyager batteries, use the 24 series
for cranking and two 27's for trolling motor. The first cranking battery lasted
6 years, finally went bad suddenly, shorted out internally I think, but can't
complain! Jeff

[Bruce Carp]

My cranking battery quit on me after two years this weekend, hooked up to trolling battery and did fine the rest of the trip, no problems. Got to get a new battery either way. Agree you can get about 100 charges on a regular deep cycle battery, whether they are all one year or spread out over three or four years. I get 18-24 months on a regular deep cycle, refilling with distilled water about once a month.

[Mopar Matt]

What kind of on board charger would you recommend and how is connected?

Thanks,Len

Bass Pro 5/5/5

I have been using this one for 3 yrs now, no problems. I leave it plugged in all the time and the boat is always ready to go.