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Posts: 388
| I am running on a pair of Everstart deep cycle marine batteries that I put in service in 2003. They have not given me any reason to change up to this point but I am getting concerned about 5 day outing (no 110V power available) where I will be running them down pretty hard. I am guessing that this is the kind of thing that will put the dagger to one of the batteries and a damper on my outing. I do have a MK2DC charger on board that puts a 10A charge on each battery using current supplied from the motor alternator which helps to keep me going.
All that said, I am strongly considering a battery replacement this summer before my outing. I have noticed that the larger Everstart marine batteries are combination deep cycle and cranking as opposed to strictly deep cycle (which is what I presently have). Wondering if they maintain a charge as well and also withstand the test of time and repeated charge / discharge cycles as well as my 2003 batteries?
Edited by Yake Bait 7/7/2010 9:43 PM
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| When you say a pair do you mean you're running a 24 volt system?
If you put them in service 7 yrs ago they're just about toast.
I would suggest replacing them with Optima deep cycle batteries....pricy but well worth it. |
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Location: Des Moines IA | I second the Optima Blue Tops. Best $ I ever spent .................... |
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Posts: 395
Location: NW WI | Will ANY battery live for 5 days of heavy use without a recharge? Tell me what brand and my next boat will have them! |
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| Good thread. Would it be possible for you to take/borrow a gas generator for the trip? Or, could you borrow another set of fully charged batteries from a friend? Tough to get 5 days out of a charge on batteries in great condition, unless only fishing an hour or two in the mornings or evenings..
I have a question to go along with this. I have been running 31 series batteries(Dekka has been preferred choice). I ended up having to get a new set of batteries while out of town two years ago, and bought Werker(from Batteries plus), and they are ok. Long story short, I need to cut some weight in back and was just wondering if there is a 27 series out there that will give me the run time of my 31 series off brand. I understand that my battery could very well be an Interstate etc. with a different label, but I am wondering what others are running in a rig the size of a Ranger 690/619, when you need a full days charge. |
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Posts: 388
| To clarify, I am OK on the charge issue because I have a MK2DC charger on board that allows me to put a 10A charge on each battery while the main motor is running. Overall, though I run them down pretty hard because I do not run the motor long enough to keep them topped off each day as I would on a normal outing.
My concern is that this heavy service will bring one or both of the batteries to the point of no return as 7 years is a pretty good run on a set of batteries. Then I will be scrambling to get a battery replaced AND charged which means that I will not be fishing when I want to.
I hear what you are saying on the Optima, but for $70 each I had pretty good luck with a 7 year run on the Wally World Specials (Everstart). More concerned about the present day offering on a dual purpose battery. Do they hold up as well? |
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Posts: 3507
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I am running dual purpose batteries for all my needs, both front and back. Although I am not in any areas that I could run my TM batteries down that far, I do have the option of switching a battery to the back of the boat if need be to get it charged back up.
The batteries that I have are from Walmart as well and if memory serves me correctly they are/were made by GNB (global national battery) who made the line of Stowaway dual purpose batteries.
I have had good luck with them. My first set went 4 years before they went down due to low water (my fault on that one) or they would have gone longer yet.
Steve |
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Posts: 52
| For the price of 1 Optima battery you could purchase 3 29 series Everstarts! I'd spend the $140 and bring 2 additional batteries with you. Run yours for the trip and if they start to give you any grief, switch them with the new ones. Worst thing is to be on the lake far from civilization and have problems with a trolling battery. JMO |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | Last Everstart I baught lasted 2 weeks, it's replacement lasted a day, next lasted 2 trips, next one a month, finaly got a refund and got Interstates......... no problems since. Current boat came with Everstarts starting battery new last fall only holds 12.4 fully charged, not happy about that. |
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Deep Cycle / Cranking Batteries