Thread: Best Dual Purpose Battery

I have a dual purpose Exide I got from academy just before they changed to interstate. I run a 998/helix7 and livewell pump from time I put boat in water till I take it out and have never had a problem. One thing I found when researching to buy that battery. And I consider this probably most important factor. I have 2 group 27 for troller because it’s all that will fit in my boat. The 24 dual I bought weighs the same as my 27 deep cycle which tells me it has some really heavy plates in it and should hold a charge just as long or longer than my trollers. So when making your decision on a dual purpose check the weight as much as anything else in comparing to deep cycle. Ideally if you can install it a good group 31 would be the choice.

I have 2 trolling setup for 24 volt. I have a dedicated cranking battery and an accessory battery. Spending the night at the lake with a dead cranking battery once was enough. Wasn’t even in my boat at the time.

I'm not an expert by any means on livescope, only had mine 4 months or so. I can say they do use up alot of juice if your using it for more than 3 or 4 hours each outing. I think most prefer a designated battery for the unit and black box. If you go to one dual purpose battery for starting, helix unit and livescope system I would test the life span of said battery in short intervals. Or atleast have a jumper to crank motor off one of the TM batteries if it came down to it.

I would assume a good group 31 would serve you well, but can't attest to it with full confidence. I run a 31 battery with big motor, helix 9 on console, helix 10 on bow and the Garmin and box separately off two dual purpose 24 interstates in parallel. Two designated 31s for trolling motor. I see alot of folks posting pictures with the livescope units running low voltage, in the low 12 or upper 11 volt range. I have 5 batteries total and probably overkill no doubt, but I have piece of mind I'm never going to be caught without enough juice to turn my big motor over hopefully.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Yeah, the Livescope system draws nearly 5amps/hr at max capacity ... so you do need a good strong starter battery or dedicated battery just for it. I've heard too many stories about dead starter batteries at the end of a days fishing to not recommend one or the other.

I'd also consider having a jumper cable handy, as well. I have a 8' set from Coleman Cable Systems that I've had for years & carry with me in my boat ... just in case. I've only had to use it a couple of times, but it's been worth every penny I spent on it ... just for the peace of mind of having it if I needed it or someone else needed it.

I have a small jump pack in each one of my vehicles, and when I launch my boat the jump pack from the truck goes with me in the boat.
I keep jumper cables in the boat too, just in case.
In your case, multiple batteries is all you can do, how ever many it takes to cover the demands.
Personally, I am all in with Walmart Group 31 Batteries, I get great service out of them, and warranty issues can be resolved at any Walmart anywhere, if the need arises.
The jump starter I use is like this one, 800 amp, charges by USB so no special charger required (Or 110 volt), and you can charge your cell phone off of it. The last one I bought shows battery voltage that confirms correct polarity.
Safety tip - I have jumped folks off many times with it without incident, but I still advise you to connect it to the weak battery, and GET AWAY from it when you attempt the start. Not because of the jumper - but because of the battery! I saw one blow up a few years ago, and it is not a pretty sight. AND - it was properly hooked up! Safety First!
https://www.amazon.com/GOOLOO-18000m...8086597&sr=8-8

Thanks everyone for the input. I called Brian at BBG and talked with him a minute. I have found a Group 31 AGM Deep Cycle battery at Walmart and was about the only place I could find a regular size battery with a Reserve Capacity over 200.

This battery has 135Ah and a Reserve of 265. So at this point I think I am gonna bite the bullet and get it ordered cost on it is $319. Little more than I hoped but I think it will last a good while.

Grand PoohBah, thanks also for the link for the jumper.....gonna get one of those in the works also. This past Sunday when the start battery took a dump, I was close to the ramp and home thankfully. Never thought 2-3 hours would have drained it, but oh well....live and learn, hahahahaha.

Originally Posted by CRAPPIE HUNTER 2008

Thanks everyone for the input. I called Brian at BBG and talked with him a minute. I have found a Group 31 AGM Deep Cycle battery at Walmart and was about the only place I could find a regular size battery with a Reserve Capacity over 200.

This battery has 135Ah and a Reserve of 265. So at this point I think I am gonna bite the bullet and get it ordered cost on it is $319. Little more than I hoped but I think it will last a good while.

Grand PoohBah, thanks also for the link for the jumper.....gonna get one of those in the works also. This past Sunday when the start battery took a dump, I was close to the ramp and home thankfully. Never thought 2-3 hours would have drained it, but oh well....live and learn, hahahahaha.

You need to check Sam’s if you have a account. Lot of times they have that battery on sale for around 150.00 to 175.00

My jumper cables were made by a previous owner of my boat and they’re made from welders lead and way heavy enough to handle anything we can give them. They have smaller ends that are copper plated and no fancy plastic, but they’re twice as heavy as anything I have ever seen. I’ll try to get a pic in a few minutes. Only used em once, but I’ve had em since ‘09.