Trolling Motor Batteries?

[flippinstick]

So what do I need to look for when purchasing batteries? Reserve Amps, Amp Hours, Reserve Minutes. Whats the deference between all of this?

[VMAXX]

So what do I need to look for when purchasing batteries? Reserve Amps, Amp Hours, Reserve Minutes. Whats the deference between all of this?

Try this site,you can learn just about everything about a battery that you want to know...and don't want to know! LOL
Basiclly you want the biggest you can get away with(physical size,weight,cost) the more capacity you have the longer it will run before it is discharged.It's kinda like asking what brand truck do you drive you'll get 10 different arguements,the optima's and the other AGM batts. are nice but a little pricey for me and I've had zero problems out of my everstarts but thats my .02

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq7.htm

[billm_usa1]

I have the walmart Max 29 There is an 18 month free replacement which gets you thru this season as well as next. The everstart is a 12 month which really only would get you thru this season. The MAX was $67 ea with core.

[Newlight]

Try this site,you can learn just about everything about a battery that you want to know...and don't want to know! LOL
Basiclly you want the biggest you can get away with(physical size,weight,cost) the more capacity you have the longer it will run before it is discharged.It's kinda like asking what brand truck do you drive you'll get 10 different arguements,the optima's and the other AGM batts. are nice but a little pricey for me and I've had zero problems out of my everstarts but thats my .02

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq7.htm

I agree. I have to replace three batteries and that's a chunk of change when I do it. I always check my batteries with a hydrometer for the exact specific gravity before switching the charger off. I hit the lake 2-3 times a week now that I'm retired so its even more important that I take good care of them.

[Moose1am]

Hitting the lake two or three times a week is the key. How many hours do we run our trolling motor battery per YEAR. Not necessary how many years you get from any particular battery.

I am retired and have been able to fish during the week for the last three summers. Ever since I discovered the local fishing hole I have run my batteries a lot more than I ever did before.

It's how many hours of operation you get out of a battery that really counts.

If someone goes three times a week all summer long vs someone that only fishes once ever other weekend or once a month the guy using the boat all the time will have the battery go down first. Considering that all other things are equal. Proper maintenance is the key to getting the most out of any battery.

I personally think that paying 1.5 X price wise and getting 2X life out of a set of batteries is worth it. I don't have to go shopping for new batteries as often this way. You get what you pay for I guess in most cases.

Now since I have an old truck and and old boat and motor I can afford to splurge on my batteries.

I agree. I have to replace three batteries and that's a chunk of change when I do it. I always check my batteries with a hydrometer for the exact specific gravity before switching the charger off. I hit the lake 2-3 times a week now that I'm retired so its even more important that I take good care of them.

[Newlight]

Hitting the lake two or three times a week is the key. How many hours do we run our trolling motor battery per YEAR. Not necessary how many years you get from any particular battery.

I am retired and have been able to fish during the week for the last three summers. Ever since I discovered the local fishing hole I have run my batteries a lot more than I ever did before.

It's how many hours of operation you get out of a battery that really counts.

If someone goes three times a week all summer long vs someone that only fishes once ever other weekend or once a month the guy using the boat all the time will have the battery go down first. Considering that all other things are equal. Proper maintenance is the key to getting the most out of any battery.

I personally think that paying 1.5 X price wise and getting 2X life out of a set of batteries is worth it. I don't have to go shopping for new batteries as often this way. You get what you pay for I guess in most cases.

Now since I have an old truck and and old boat and motor I can afford to splurge on my batteries.

I don't shop for batteries but just once every 4-5 years. I have an 18 ft. fish n' ski boat. I do a 'ton" of trolling each and every time I go to answer your questions. Most people do not take care of their batteries. I have had a couple of friends ask me about how I get that kind of use as they can't seem to get more than 2-3 years. In the cases I'm familiar with they don't check their batteries with a hydrometer and trust the meter on the charger. One of them lets his batteries sit for long stretches of time without checking them. I have a set of WalMart batteries that are in their third year and still going strong. At any rate, there will be many more buying these batteries if they have the performance/cost advantage. Time will tell the tale.

[flippinstick]

Now that I bought my batteries what is the best procedure to get the max life out of them?
1) Plug them in to my on board charger and leave them plugged in and let them set at a float on the charger?
2) Go out and plug them in every few days
They will get used (fished) about 1 time a week thats it.

[VMAXX]

Now that I bought my batteries what is the best procedure to get the max life out of them?
1) Plug them in to my on board charger and leave them plugged in and let them set at a float on the charger?
2) Go out and plug them in every few days
They will get used (fished) about 1 time a week thats it.

Myself I leave mine plugged in all the time I guess it depends on the type of charger you have and if you trust it(to kick off to a trickle) however if you go that route I would check your water level at least twice a month and top off the water level with distilled water(tap water will kill your batts,heavy in minerals) coat your post with some di-electric grease(a couple of bucks at auto parts store) and you should be good to go! If you go out and plug them in every few days they'll probably go straight to the trickle charge anyway as they havent dropped enough to draw a charge.

[Moose1am]

I paid about $120 for EACH Battery. One is a deep cycle/starter Combination type Optima Blue Top. The other is Deep Cycle Blue Top Optima.

I got mine at the Auto Parts store on Morgan and Stockwell Road. Autozone or AutoParts is the name of that store.

Autozone in Newburgh also has them now. And I've noticed that at Sam's Wholesale Store on Burkhardt Rd there are similar Spiral Cell type Six pack batteries for sale. The price may come down in the future after their patent runs out.

It's the way the lead is wrapped around in a circle or spiral that gives this design the advantage over regular lead acid batteries.

If you are fishing a tournament and have to recharge your batteries at the end of the first day the Optiama will charge back up faster than other batteries due to their design. They have less internal resistance to being charged.

I have not had one problem with my Optima for over 4 years now. I'll have to look at my credit card records to find out exactly when I bought these batteries.

I want to make sure that my boat batteries are in good shape when I need them as I fish by myself a lot. I also do some night fishing and need something very dependable that will last me at night.

Moose, where is your dealer located? If these are as good as you claim we'll all be using them in 4-5 years because of their price/longevity advantage and even WalMart will be stocking them soon if you are correct from the demand. So you gave $120 for two batteries - one deep cycle and one starting?

[elnutsmalljaws]

I am looking into buying two new trolling motor batteries and was wanting some feed back on prefrence. What are some good batteries for the money, and what amp is on the brand you like? Is it higher theamps the better? I have a 24 volt motorguide 71lb. thrust.

Carquest Gold Deep Cycle - you will not be dissapointed.

[Newlight]

I always use the Wal-Mart batteries and usually get 4-5 years out of them provided I hook them up promptly after fishing. If you wait too long they will deteriorate rapidly. Just give them a little TLC and you won't regret buying them compared to more expensive brands.

[Cobra190]

Ihave used Everstart over the years and can't complain. I ahve never had a problem with them within the given time periods.