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Senior Member
I need to get a new trolling motor and cranking battery and am needing some input on what to get. I have a 17ft aluminum boat so when the wind is blowing and in my case it always is! I am constantly on my trolling motor. I need a battery with a life that can last a long time but I don't want to have to sell my left arm and little toe to get it. Any suggestions would be great.
Senior Member
I'll add to the question by asking about the Optimax batteries? Are they really worth the money? I know the selling point is that they will stand up to recharging for way longer than the average battery but I don't personally know anyone who uses them so it's hard to compare.
Senior Member
Be wary of Interstate..bought them 2 different times and had the outer shell crack twice and leak acid in my boat. They were tied down and everything. Have been told since they are made thinner than some other brands.
Just my 2cents
Senior Member
Originally Posted by fishinfreak
Stay away from Interstates, they are garbage! I have a 09 Ranger Z520 and three of my four batteries (interstates) on my less than two year old boat tested bad or weak. I bought four brand new Deka AGM 31's (8A31DTM's) for my Ranger Z520.
Save yourself the headache and don't get interstates!!
Senior Member
The optimax is no better, imo, than any other. A group 32 battery by Deca or Trojan would be my choice
Senior Member
How much do they cost? And can they handle a 10 hour day on the lake of constant use?The optimax is no better, imo, than any other. A group 32 battery by Deca or Trojan would be my choice
Senior Member
I totally disagree about the Interstates...i have had several through the years and never had a problem with any of them, in fact just the opposite. Any battery maker is bound to produce a bad one now and then, and how many people do you think have busted a side wall in a battery when using it in a boat? My bet is that it happens, and with all brands. Thats hard on a battery, especially if you don't have it strapped properly and are on big water. As for the Optimas, I haven't owned one, but couldn't see paying that much for them. Johnson Controls makes Interstates and Optimas BTW
Member
I am a believer in Superlex batteries when it comes to deep cycle batteries. I get 4 good years out of them and only swap them out because it has been four yrs. A buddy of mine got 5 yrs. Call Kentucky Battery Outlet. They are located on the Bullitt/Jefferson County line on Blue Lick Rd. Oh, my Nitro Z7 came with Interstates and I noticed a sugnificant loss in power and length of charge after just 2 seasons.
Senior Member
Same here, interstates are junk.
Senior Member
I was actually told by a major battery dealer that services our shop that he was given a set of Optimas to try on his trolling motor & that he didn't like them & gave them back. He also said they way about 1/3 pound less then the average battery in the same series. He said they just didn't stay strong as long as the same sized series conventional deep cycle. I have however been told by others including my brother in law that they really like them. I personally would get the biggest series with the longest reserve time I could get. I heard lots of people say they liked the Sears Diehard better than any battery they've ever had. I have used Super Lex at work & they are good batteries for sure.
Senior Member
I had good experience with the Super Lex, both deep cycle and have run them in the truck. No complaints, can't beat them for the price.
Btw I see you get your batteries fro m the same place I do. Harry is a good guy.
Member
yeah, i've known Harry since I was a kid and still fish with him a couple times a year. I grew up down the street from him and he is a real good guy. Honest and fair. I'm not trying to sell batteries for him, they really are IMO the best. My uncle runs Taylor Battery which sells Deka but I am a Superlex fan.
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