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Posts: 194
Location: Lake Elmo, MN | OK...just replaced my starting battery with a nice new Odyssey Group 31. $329.
Now....I find out, my three (count em 3 !!) trolling batteries need replacement. The thought of a grand for batteries makes me nauseous, but I'm prepared to do it if I must. I'd like to explore another option tho. West Marine sells a Group 31 GEL battery that they say is great if it has to sit months in cold weather (like here in MN) with no use. They say the battery works great in a trolling motor application.
I currently run a 101 pound thrust 36v Terova.
Anyone see any issues here with using a Gel to run my Terova? One thing that concerns me is charging. I have heard the gels need a different type charger, but not sure. I run the standard 4 bank Ranger Charger that comes on a 620 Fisherman.
The Gel (group 31) is $149. Another Odyssey (or Die Hard equiv) is $329. See my interest ???
Sure appreciate any input someone can give.
Edited by PSAGuy 6/1/2015 11:30 AM
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| I would not get a GEL battery, mostly because of the charging requirements. Most battery chargers do not work properly with GEL batteries.
I use two Cabelas AGM batteries for my Terrova 80, and they work great as deep-cycle batteries. Any regular charger should work OK with an AGM battery, too.
The Group 30 AGMs are on sale at Cabelas for $50 off right now:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/AutoBoat-Batteries-Chargers/...
For more info about GEL vs AGM:
http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/gel-vs-agm...
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Posts: 194
Location: Lake Elmo, MN | Probably good advice. I think I am running these now in my boat for the trolling motor. I installed them in 2011. Not sure....the batteries sit down in the floor so I need to check.
Thanks for the advice. $200 saves me $139 x 3.....not bad I guess. |
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Posts: 348
| Cabelas batteries are junk imo |
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Posts: 84
| Ive seen AGM batteries at my local Farm and Fleet for $179 group 31 and I belive their Oddasey brand. They cost more but they last longer. When I need to replace my trolling batteries they will be AGMs. |
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| lehighmuskies - 6/1/2015 8:21 PM
Cabelas batteries are junk imo
My first one is over 5 years old and still going strong. |
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Posts: 194
Location: Lake Elmo, MN | Odyssey only makes the thin wall pure lead plate technology batteries and those are waaaaay above $179. I WISH they were $179.
I'll check out Fleet Farm tho. My last set is from Batteries Plus and are AGM's. My guess is if I can get 5 years from some new ones I'll be happy. This set though I am going to take out of the boat each winter. Mine have always stayed in the boat (boat is inside but in an unheated shed).
Man I hate messing with batteries !!! |
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Posts: 39
Location: Cave In Rock Illinois | Another vote for Cabelais AGM 4 years old and still going strong. Terrova 80 never ran them out even on a 16 hr day on LOTW. |
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Location: North Central IL USA | lehighmuskies - 6/1/2015 7:21 PM
Cabelas batteries are junk imo
Why? |
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Posts: 2753
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | PSAGuy - 6/1/2015 10:48 AM
OK...just replaced my starting battery with a nice new Odyssey Group 31. $329.
Now....I find out, my three (count em 3 !!) trolling batteries need replacement. The thought of a grand for batteries makes me nauseous, but I'm prepared to do it if I must. I'd like to explore another option tho. West Marine sells a Group 31 GEL battery that they say is great if it has to sit months in cold weather (like here in MN) with no use. They say the battery works great in a trolling motor application.
I currently run a 101 pound thrust 36v Terova.
Anyone see any issues here with using a Gel to run my Terova? One thing that concerns me is charging. I have heard the gels need a different type charger, but not sure. I run the standard 4 bank Ranger Charger that comes on a 620 Fisherman.
The Gel (group 31) is $149. Another Odyssey (or Die Hard equiv) is $329. See my interest ???
Sure appreciate any input someone can give.
LOL- At those prices they must provide a very warm fuzzy feeling, much like you will feel with your new "gel cell's" - if you get them. You will also likely go into sticker shock for a 3-bank 36V gel cell charger, it is highly unlikely any onboard automatic charger can safely charge or maintain a gel cell battery.
I really love all of these " LOVE brand XXX or brand XXX are JUNK statements or don't buy AGM's or I love Gel Cells"! Seriously? Based on how much experience? Most amatuer's (average fisherman) versus professionals (industries that use large quantities of various deep cycle batteries, including wet-cells, AGM's, and gel cells) most average folks know absolutely nothing about deep cycle battery technologies and why one is better than another.
Your friend at West Marine is smoking some stuff from Colorado or knows nothing about battery storage in cold weather. If you plan on storing any lead-acid battery outside in Emo MN, you had better make sure its fully charged. If not, its likely to freeze.....
https://mathscinotes.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/finalplot.jpg
The way to use this chart is to look at the right hand scale (battery open circuit voltage per cell) multiply by 6, e.g., a 12V battery has 6 cells. So if your battery measures 12V with a digital meter when you put it in your unheated storage shed in Emo MN, go over to the left from the 2V open circuit vertical scale line to where it intersects with the brown electrolyte freezing line and read the electrolyte freezing temperature on the left hand scale. Does it get to -35F in Emo? LOL!
This site has pretty good battery information.
http://www.batteriesnorthwest.com/batteryschool.cfm
Re. State of Charge (SOC) - Beware ! The charts are bit misleading 10.5VDC is the limit for a 12V deep cycle battery, especially AGM's and gel cells, if you discharge them lower than that you may not be able to recharge them.
Wednsday, I'm going to Walmart & buy two(2) new deep cycle group 31 wet-cells for Esox Maniac, its not going to cost me a $658 either! The old ones are 7 years old, they are reading ~12.4V after sitting for a month after charging. Time for replacements.
YES! WET-CELLS!!!!!!!!
Why are AGM's so popular in the boating/fishing industry? Answer: MARKETING! Actually a AGM battery is much more dangerous from a short circuit perspective a group 31 can deliver up to ~5000A.
If you want some high performance AGM deep cycles try C&D's UPS High-Rates. UPS12-540MR (149AH@20hr rate) Its rated for ~25.5A to 5hrs @1.75vpc (10.5V) Most marine grp 31 deep cycles are 25A to 3hrs (180minutes)@1.75vpc(10.5V). Its also 13.42"W x 10.93"H x 6.80"W & 100lbs
Good luck!
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 6/8/2015 10:30 PM
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Posts: 5874
| So, there are about 100 threads on batteries and what to get, and how to store them, etc. Just ignore all the previous advice.
You can store you batteries in the boat over the winter, IF they are fully charged when you put your boat up. You may want to disconnect the positive connections from your cranking battery if you have a DFI motor, as there may be a small drain. It's actually better for the batteries in the cold, rather than the nice toasty basement. Self discharge rate is greatly reduced in the cold.
I used wet-cell batteries for years. Got them from Remy Battery in Milwaukee. Last set was a Group 30 battery. Group 31 performance in a Group 29 case. Awesome, and they where 5 years old and still going strong when I sold the boat.
Nothing wrong with AGM's. I really don't think brand matters much, because they are all brand labeled by just a few manufacturers. Please note. Cabelas and Fleet Farm do not make their own batteries. Likely, they are made by Jognson Controls battery division.
Gel batteries. Go for it if you have money to burn. You will need a new expensive on board charging system.
Another note. People that work at places like West marine, Walmart, Fleet Farm, etc, usually know nothing about what they sell. As is the case of the guy that said not to store your batteries in the cold. Do your research, and pick your battery supplier, and just go buy them. Don't ask any questions, unless you are at a place that specializes in batteries, like Remy in Milwaukee. Um, Batteries Plus goes with the above mentioned list.
Edited by Shep 6/8/2015 11:05 AM
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Posts: 194
Location: Lake Elmo, MN | Just used my new Odyssey trolling batteries on my trip to LOW. Worked the trolling motor hard all day and they came thru like champs (they better for the huge money they cost). Meter on terova showed they still had 75% of available life left after 12 hours on the water. I like these things ! |
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Batteries Again !