Thread: Interstate Trolling Motor Battery's Issue

When running Multiple TM batterys....If one needs replacing...You really should replace both...because the older one will pull the new one down to its level. The batterys should all be the same age, type, brand, and group size also. I have three Interstate batteries on my boat now that are 7 years old. I check and top off the water twice a year and I leave my onboard charger plugged in at all times....I only unplug it to go fishing. I use a MinnKota 330D onboard charger.

Originally Posted by "G"

When running Multiple TM batterys....If one needs replacing...You really should replace both...because the older one will pull the new one down to its level. The batterys should all be the same age, type, brand, and group size also. I have three Interstate batteries on my boat now that are 7 years old. I check and top off the water twice a year and I leave my onboard charger plugged in at all times....I only unplug it to go fishing. I use a MinnKota 330D onboard charger.

X2! Only difference is I have a BPS 3 bank charger. I was always told to replace my 2 TM batteries at the same time.

Originally Posted by "G"

When running Multiple TM batterys....If one needs replacing...You really should replace both...because the older one will pull the new one down to its level. The batterys should all be the same age, type, brand, and group size also. I have three Interstate batteries on my boat now that are 7 years old. I check and top off the water twice a year and I leave my onboard charger plugged in at all times....I only unplug it to go fishing. I use a Minn Kota 330D on-board charger.

My motor is 12 volt not 24 volt. I simply flip the switch in back to alternate battery's. I do this to evenly use the battery's. I will use one battery for morning fishing than in the afternoon switch to the other one. 3 bank charger installed and charge them at the end of the day. i understand the one weak battery part if your pulling off of both battery's which is not this case. I just simply wonder if there's too much hype with interstate battery's. I want my batterys to last more than 11 months or 2 years which didn;t happen with these two.

I've never had an issue with Interstate. Been using them a looong time. I do know, however, that they offer two grades. The good one is about $120 and then they have one for about $50.

If you will hook the batteries in parallel, you'll not discharge them as much in a days fishing. They will also "wear" evenly since they will both experience the same state of charge/discharge. My last set of batteries lasted 11yrs. The key to getting long life out of them is to keep the batteries charged and not letting them set with a partial charge.

As for your question regarding interstate, I've found that no matter the brand, the heavier batteries (thicker lead plates) will last longer.

One thing to look at is the code, burnt into the side of the top cover, the shop I worked at would have them on a shelf for maybe a few months, we sold ski boats , and trolling motor batteries may sit for a long time, driver would sometimes swap them out? I ask him what they did with those , he said, we check them, load test and charge them and send them out, so it's possible to get one that is charged good but may be six months to a year old, I only like gel cell batteries for the reason they seem to hold a charge longer

Interstate batteries are identical to Walmart batteries. Same factory, same production line and same internals. For now. Walmart seems to be in the midst of some kind of battery "upheaval" as the marine Everstarts are no longer listed on their web site.