Currently have 2 Interstate batteries that are 3 years old. When I replace them what do you recommend?
Printable View
Currently have 2 Interstate batteries that are 3 years old. When I replace them what do you recommend?
I have had a set of Everstart Maxx Marine from Walmart for over 5 years and never had a problem. They are still running strong. This includes 3 years of tourney fishing mixed in there.
I recomend you buy at least a group 27 and charge it right away after each use and keep it charged. Check your water levels often and it should treat you right. I think this more important than what brand. I would check the manufactured date though before I just grabed one off the shelf.
GOOD LUCK!Thumbs Up
getting 3 yrs out of batts is pretty good/normal these days imo. Some get longer use, some don't. I use the Walmart brand, the TM batt is $75, if it last 3 yrs or more, its only $25/yr, which is less than one trip to the lake when you consider gas/food/misc/lures, etc. Just take care of 'em (charge 'em up asap when you get back home) and go with what's in the budget.
good battery info.....long but very informative...
Deep Cycle Battery FAQ
I went through several top notch brands, lots of trouble with them, ended up with sears die hards, run my terrova for hrs pulling cranks some times 4 or 5 hours in a day and several times double trip with no charging inbetween trips, love them
I've got 3 Trojan AGM's in a 36 volt system. Now in their 5th season--I'm on the water 30-40 times a year, so not heavy use, but not light either. They're constantly hooked into an auto charging system on the boat, which is probably more important than the brand, so long as they have heavy plates and a high amp-hour rating.
You nailed it. With good care, the cheapest set you can find will outlast and out perform the best batteries on the market.
There are only a few battery manufacturers left, and most of them put a lot of different labels on the same battery. Trojan and Rolls really do make a better quality battery, but I don't think it's worth the extra money unless you are fishing for a living. Truthfully, you get better customer service out of Walmart than the high dollar places. I've heard stories about Rolls disassembling batteries and denying warranty claims because of excessive sulfation.
It all comes down to maintenance and customer service from your dealer. Deka, Exide and Johnson Controls make the batteries that are in 99% of the boats on the water and cars on the road. Find a handy place to buy them where they will help you out if you have a warranty issue, and keep the batteries as close to full charge as possible at all times and you'll have good results.
good info. cat fan
i have had good service from ac-delco , but i think the key to any battery is keeping them charged and up keep on them then i think any brand could be the best!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sell tons of TM batteries, and maintenance IS the key. All of the name brands work good. I like the Deka, but that is a Ford/Chevy kinda thing.
This info from cat fan is about as perfect and adequate answer for the reoccuring question of "Which battery to buy" as I have ever seen....
I feel this single post would make a good "sticky" for anyone looking for help in purchasing new batteries....
Would anyone else agree...??
Rickie
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
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.
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. :confused: I'll check again tomorrow.
Oreilly auto parts also has a good deep cycle. I have bought group 24 27 and 31 all from them and had great luck.
I had a AC Delco Voyager that lasted 10 years. Took it in out of the exteme cold every winter. Thats about all the special care I gave it.
Had 2 Everstart batteries from WalMart that I changed out last month. 1 had a 2005 sticker on ot and the other one was bought on 2002. they were the big trolling batteries and they worked really well.
Have had 3 Delco Voyagers and all 3 went 7 years a piece. That told me all I need to know.CF
I am a Delco Voyager man. Never add water. If you use a battery much you will have to add water otfen. I am forgetful. Always had good results with Delco, maybe 30 years. I just charge it as soon as I can and forget it.
I have had good luck with deka's but if it aing broke dont fix it right...
Catfan, You can buy them at Bobcats, I was told that many complain so they started back making them maintance free. Yes its been 4 years since Ibought them but they are still good.
Delco has been out of the battery business since 2005. Johnson Controls bought the facilities and the rights to the Delco name on batteries from Delphi and ran the factory for a year or two making a lot of JC labelled batteries in the same case as the Delco, then consolidated production into existing JC factories where they become non-sealed.
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!
Pretty expensive. One of them batteries cost more than my Jon Boat, Trolling motor and walmart battery Combined.
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.
I get series 29's here from Exide for $55 a pop. Yea thery're junk, but I get about 3yrs out of them. Never have run out of juice yet, love that variable speed MK. I fished 3 days straight and recharged when I got home, still had 65% power, avg run was 35%-8hrs/day. However, I bought a new cranking batt series27 and that thing doesn't ever want to full charge, maybe somethings open on the boat but I don't know what. The Wal-Mart batts are now Johnson Controls made in Mexico, new contract--means better batts: end of contract= junk. My boat had Trojans when I got it, 6yrs old and still ran 6hrs 50% power. Interstates are now made by Exide-BOOOOO!!!
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.
Try the Delco Voyger DC29. Been using them for 12 years and wouldn't swap for nothing.
Johnson Controls makes Interstate and Optima. I have two optima blue tops in my RV and two in my boat. Going on 4 yrs w/ them all. Expensive tho unless, like me you work for JCI.
always remember like it or not theres a walmart within minutes of every lake open 24 -7
Ever start Maxx Marine. I've got two running very strong for over 5 years now, including having been submerged in water for two days, a few years ago when I sunk my boat halfway. They were still running strong right after we got the boat afloat and I was able to run the trolling motor. They haven't shown any sign of weakness.
Ye p Wal-Mart is good Napa batteries are good also . Have used Sears,Trojan on and off the water, Stowaways,Interstate etc, Keep the level and on a cushioned box if possiblew like 1/8 inch of rubber under your battery boxes YOU CAN THANK ME LATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!