Thread: Who make the best deep cycle battery?

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

I like Delco Voyagers. But like already said. Charge immediately after every use. You can't go wrong with an on-board charger. Did you every wonder who makes your favorie battery? Battery Manufacturers and Brand Names List

That's a good list, but it's well out of date. It still shows Delphi as a manufacturer, and they sold out 5 years ago. The current version is Battery Manufacturers and Brand Names List

Originally Posted by CatFan

That's a good list, but it's well out of date. It still shows Delphi as a manufacturer, and they sold out 5 years ago. The current version is Battery Manufacturers and Brand Names List

Those are the same lists. For some reason mine just starts a couple paragraphs down.

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Those are the same lists. For some reason mine just starts a couple paragraphs down.

Okay, now that is weird. I looked at your link at work and saw the Delphi listing. It had 7 or 8 products listed under Delphi. Checked the one at BatteryFAQ, which is the source of the list, and it had the "See Johnson Controls" comment. But at home they are the same. I'll check again tomorrow.

Originally Posted by CatFan

Okay, now that is weird. I looked at your link at work and saw the Delphi listing. It had 7 or 8 products listed under Delphi. Checked the one at BatteryFAQ, which is the source of the list, and it had the "See Johnson Controls" comment. But at home they are the same. I'll check again tomorrow.

Now they are the same for me at work. Welcome to the Twilight Zone.

Recently did quite a bit of research on this. Because my trolling motor batteries (3 of them-36 volt system) sit under a rod locker and I don't want to worry about maintenance (ever), I decided on AGM batteries. I also wanted the biggest I could get in the boat, which meant group 31's. Of the AGM batteries, I like 4 of them--Lifeline (GPL 31T), Discover (EV31A-A), Trojan (31-AGM), and Deka (8A31DT). Here's where it gets interesting. The Discover seems to have the largest reserve capacity (235 minutes, 114 amp hours), followed by the Deka (200 minutes, 105 amp hours), Lifeline (195 minutes, 105 amp hours), and Trojan (177 minutes, 100 amp hours). It's also the most expensive, running about $385 a battery. I eliminated the Trojans--just not enough battery for the money. The Lifeline and Deka's run about the same amount--280-300, with the Deka's slightly more expensive. In the end, I decided on the Dekas--good combination of price and reserve capacity, and the Deka's seem to have a great reputation--manufactured in the US too. However, the Lifeline was recommended to me by a guy who sells chargers for a living--pretty strong case. You can get both batteries delivered to your house from on-line suppliers for about 330-340. Given that they both weigh about 69 pounds, gives you some idea of shipping costs if you can't find them locally and can't live without them!

Originally Posted by fished-out

Recently did quite a bit of research on this. Because my trolling motor batteries (3 of them-36 volt system) sit under a rod locker and I don't want to worry about maintenance (ever), I decided on AGM batteries. I also wanted the biggest I could get in the boat, which meant group 31's. Of the AGM batteries, I like 4 of them--Lifeline (GPL 31T), Discover (EV31A-A), Trojan (31-AGM), and Deka (8A31DT). Here's where it gets interesting. The Discover seems to have the largest reserve capacity (235 minutes, 114 amp hours), followed by the Deka (200 minutes, 105 amp hours), Lifeline (195 minutes, 105 amp hours), and Trojan (177 minutes, 100 amp hours). It's also the most expensive, running about $385 a battery. I eliminated the Trojans--just not enough battery for the money. The Lifeline and Deka's run about the same amount--280-300, with the Deka's slightly more expensive. In the end, I decided on the Dekas--good combination of price and reserve capacity, and the Deka's seem to have a great reputation--manufactured in the US too. However, the Lifeline was recommended to me by a guy who sells chargers for a living--pretty strong case. You can get both batteries delivered to your house from on-line suppliers for about 330-340. Given that they both weigh about 69 pounds, gives you some idea of shipping costs if you can't find them locally and can't live without them!

Group 29 batteries are the same size as 31s, so you left out several large capacity batteries. The Discover lists a 225 minute RC. The 235 is under "minutes of discharge", which is apparently their own test.

You can get pretty close to that spec in other brands for $100 less. The Diehard PM-1 has 205 minutes RC for $280.

Originally Posted by CatFan

Group 29 batteries are the same size as 31s, so you left out several large capacity batteries. The Discover lists a 225 minute RC. The 235 is under "minutes of discharge", which is apparently their own test.

You can get pretty close to that spec in other brands for $100 less. The Diehard PM-1 has 205 minutes RC for $280.

You're right, the PM-1 looks like a pretty good battery. I considered it, but left it off my final list of four for a couple reasons. First, Sears tends to change suppliers periodically and I didn't feel comfortable putting it in a sticky. Second, the price is about the same as the Lifeline and Deka (280-300), but has fewer amp hours even though the RC is about the same. Lots of batteries out there, and I just listed my final competitors. That said, Sears runs good promotions and sales periodically, so if you can get the PM-1 on sale and confirm they haven't changed suppliers, I'd jump on it.

You're right on the Discover, my mistake.

Catfan is just showing off - using all that real information and data and stuff like that.

I recommend Trojan 1st. The trouble is the cost. I bet if you calc'd cents per amp of service, you'd prolly find that the Wally speshuls outperform everything out there though, but I'm more interested in a good quality battery that will provide a few more than just a couple of years of service. That said, I cheaped out and went with a parts house battery because I was outfitting my current boat top to bottom and was short on funds at the time. If I had my good looks and Cane Pole's money, I'd go with the Trojans every time. But for now, I'm stuck with being pretty and having off brand batts.

Wannabe...

I just repalced a pair of BassPro deep cycle batteries that lasted me 7 years and like the rest said maintence is the key! I repalced all 3 batts inthe boat 2 weeks ago and went with AutoZone Duralast batteries due to the 3 year warranty. I had a walmart and it die just after a year and only had a year warranty. I check my batts every month on water level using only distilled water and always give them a full charge once i get home from the lake.

Oreilly auto parts also has a good deep cycle. I have bought group 24 27 and 31 all from them and had great luck.