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Posts: 100
| I am looking to buy all new batteries for my boat this year. I am running a 70hp Johnson VRO, along with a trolling motor, depth finder, lights and live well. I was looking for a very strong starting battery that won't fail in cold weather or at night. I was thinking a AGM starting battery but not sure what group. I would then get two 24M-HD for the other accessories. Does anyone have suggestions on what would be best for my situation and an idea of where the best prices and warranties are. I want the starting battery to be flawless throughout the whole year.
Thanks in advance,
Brian |
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Posts: 139
| you can go with regular lead acid batteries. AGM are good, but make sure your charger can charge them. I would also make sure you run your accessories on the starter battery. Hooking up your trolling motor and fish finder on the trolling batteries from what i remember isn't the best option. I buy interstate batteries and they have been good to me. In one of my boats i bought the cheap Walmart brand and they are good too. They are made by johnson controls who makes alot of batteries. I have been using them for about 4 yrs now. As long as you don't leave drained batteries sit for long periods and charge them full after use, they will last. If you do your part they will do theirs. A few years ago i bought 2 Trojan batteries at Gander and they were the poorest of them all. Only lasted about 3 years. My walmarts lasted longer.
It really depends on how you use your boat. If you do alot of weekends in which you can't charge your batteries every night after alot of use, then AGM is probably better for you. Again, just make sure your charger can charge AGM.. the MFG will tell you.. Dual pro, Guest, and some minn kota charges will charge them.
Edited by hunter991 3/27/2013 10:31 AM
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Posts: 1516
| Has any tried Die Hard cranking/deepcycle battiers from Sears? |
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Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | I agree with hunter911. Regular lead-acid batteries will do just fine year after year as long as you take care of them. The big thing is make sure they are fully charged when in cold weather. Doesn't take much discarge to freeze a battery. I leave mine plugged in in the on-board charger when I'm not using the boat and when the boat's in storage, I take them out and leave them on a maintainer. |
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Posts: 100
| Thanks alot of your input. I think I am going to go with regular lead-acid batteries. Seems to be the right fit for my motor and accessories, along with price. Even through I am not against paying more for better quality or dependability, but lead acid seems like the concensus. Then the next question is what brand? Interstate? Northern? Sears? Along with what kind of charger?
Again thanks your guidance on this subject.
Brian |
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Posts: 139
| All the brands you mention are good. But most of them are the same. As i mentioned, johnson controls makes the walmart batteries and they don't make junk batteries. Most batteries come with the same warranty for less money.
The charger i see as more important and is a place you should put your money rather than the battery brand. I like Guest chargers or Dual Pro. I don't care for minn kota as they are large and heavy. |
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