Arizona Crappie Association
Fishing and Dock Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: PhishingPhreek on June 24, 2015, 12:20 PM
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The batteries I have in my Triton are around 5-6 years old. I haven't used them in 3-4 years, so I'm just going to assume they're done. When I bought batteries before I would just go up and find the "Marine Batteries" at Auto Zone and buy the one that resembled the numbers on my current batteries. Well, I've moved, shuffled, and somehow discarded one of my batteries and now I have no idea where what battery goes where...
After doing some research I saw that there are Deep Cycle, Starting, and Dual-Purpose. I've always bought the Dual-Purpose because, well, I didn't know there were other types of battery options. Now I've reached a point where I want to make sure I'm getting the best batter for the purpose I'll be using them and was hoping to get some good input from everyone here.
:sign0144:
The set-up in my Triton is 1 starter battery and two 12-volt batteries for my trolling motor. Should I continue with getting Dual-Purpose batteries, or should I look into getting 1 starter battery to start and run the boat, and 2 deep cycle batteries for the trolling motor?
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I have had the best luck with application specific (start/troll) batteries. Never saw a dual purpose battery.
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I have had the best luck with application specific (start/troll) batteries. Never saw a dual purpose battery.
I did a little bit more research after doing this and I'm thinking that getting the deep cycle will be the best option for my trolling motor batteries. However, I'm still unsure about my starter battery. I typically run my stereo when I'm out in the boat and just sitting around. This pulls power from my starter battery, so this ends up draining the battery a little bit when I'm not running the motor.
It makes me think that maybe I should get the Dual Purpose for my starter, or I have to learn to not listen to my radio. I'm not sure I could handle that much silence when I'm fishing. :P
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My .02 and situation:
I've always been told it's best to run deep cycle for trolling motors, especially at slow continuous speeds like we run for crappie. I bought 2 Interstate deep cycles from Costco for about $80 each to run my 24v.
I run a 3 bank on-board, charge as soon as I get home for 24 hours and the night before I leave to go boating.
These are the longest batteries have lasted for me and they still seem to be in great shape 4 years later.
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I don't need much to crank so I just run a deep cycle for my outboard and 12v accessories. For your OB, a dual purpose would be ideal I would think.
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I'm glad you brought up the Costco Interstate batteries because I was going to look into those as well. I bought my truck battery there a few weeks ago and while the price was somewhat comparable, the warranty was incredible. I was curious how that warranty and quality compared to the regular batteries.
I have an On-Board charging system as well. I always got it plugged in as soon as I got home and then once again when I was going to leave for a trip.
I don't need much to crank so I just run a deep cycle for my outboard and 12v accessories. For your OB, a dual purpose would be ideal I would think.
I have the Optimax 225, so I probably need quite a bit of cranking amps to get that thing started so a DC might be out of the question. The DP has always seemed to work for me, so I'll probably look into that.
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I had a couple lines in my first post that I deleted about how great Costco is. They will return just about anything so I have a ton of confidence in buying there.
Admittedly, I didn't used to take care of my tires and batteries as well as I do today, I brought back one of my deep cycles a few years ago when it took a crap and they replaced it for free, didn't ask if I neglected them or anything. If I was rich maybe I'd go with Optimas or something fancy but for now, all plans lead to continue buying Interstate batteries at Costco.
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That's awesome to know. This truck battery was the first Costco battery I ever purchased. When they told me it has a 3 year full replacement warranty and then the replacement ALSO has a 3 year full replacement warranty, I thought I would be stupid not to get that.
I'll stop by Costco tonight or tomorrow and check out their prices. You said you spent $80, but when I did a quick glance I saw a marine batteries for $120. Could have been a bigger batter, but I'll see. Thanks for the input.
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:thumbsup:
I bought them 4 years ago now, I'm certain I did not hit the $200 mark out the door, hope that's the case for you too.
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Yes, go deep cycle for your trolling motor you don't need dual purpose. For the starter motor, the radio won't pull much unless you have a really power hungry stereo. I go with a starter motor as it has high cold cranking amps (CCA) and that's what you need. If you get dual purpose or starter, the most important (I think) is make sure you get sufficient CCA that your motor needs so search that online or manual to see what it recommends.
Here is a previous thread:
http://www.azcrappie.com/forum/index.php/topic,1911.15.html
In the end I bought the deep cycles from Wal-Mart larger size and they've worked great. I forget what I bought for the starter if it was Wal-Mart or not.
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Your Opti is going to require a specific CCA (or MCA marine cranking amps for marine batts) size battery, just as mine does. I believe my 175 requires a min of 800 CCA but your owners manual should tell you. There possibly could be a placard on compartment lid where your starting battery is located that says what the required min battery CCA requirement is.
I've been using Interstate since boat purchase and get the usual AZ battery life of 3 or 4 years. I do keep up on the h20 and they are always on charge via my 3 bank onboard Dual Pro charger. Minn Kota does have a product to add to your battery h20 that I do think extends your battery life a bit, for what that's worth. I've also read that when replacing your TM batteries to always change them out in pairs.
I believe all 3 of my batts are Interstate SRM-29s. Boat came with SRM-27s but wanted a little more run time so I went up a group size to the 29s. I'd recommend getting the biggest group size for both applications you can afford, especially for your TM. Also with todays electronics and everything else you'll have hooked up to your house (starting) battery nowadays bigger the group size the better off you'll be. Your battery tray size might determine the biggest battery group size you can get without changing out the tray. Don't you just hate it when you turn your ignition switch to start and there's nothing but silence..... and you hope it's just your kill switch lanyard that came off!
I'm not a fan of Walmart period but their EverStart MarineMaxx in group size 29 might be an option and others have mentioned that they are possibly a good "bang for your buck". Also read good things about the Sears Platinum series batteries. But if you have the coin to spend, go with the new lithium batteries as folks on BBC Bass Boat Central have been chatting about lately. Sticker shock on these babies!
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I've been using Interstate....
I do keep up on the h20 and they are always on charge via my 3 bank onboard Dual Pro charger...
...I've also read that when replacing your TM batteries to always change them out in pairs.
Same here, like father, like son!!! :violent1:
great info
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Same here, like father, like son!!! :violent1:
LOL that was a great story.
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Same here, like father, like son!!! :violent1:
LOL that was a great story.
This has got to be some inside joke that I'm not getting. :dontknow:
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I have had terrible luck with interstate tm batteries but I fish normally couple times a week but they just don't last more than 8 months and they are nothing, have used the walmart everystart yellow top battery and they do better but their warranty went from 3yrs to 1 yr so researching batteries I found the duracall battery (made by east penn) the same people that make the Deka tm battery that is the best rated now but are high $$ many battery companies have been bought out by Johnson controls? I hear now the blue top Optima is not what it used to be and they are high priced and were bought out? Anyway I think they sell the duracell at Costco or Sams club I actually got mine at batteries plus which used to be high priced in general but with the rebate was the same as walmart series 29 and this thing is heavy I got the series 31 which is the same physical size as the 29 but heavier plates and longer lasting so far after my walmart battery took a dump at alamo in great fishing but with wind I have put this duracell through the test it went the entire day at alamo and never went below 1/2 on the battery meter same at pleasant chasing boils and I purposely have put the t.m. on full speed and moved around the lake for quite a long time and the battery still has not gone below 1/2 power and it takes a great charge which tells me it is coming back to full strength.
Louis on your opti max mercury if the batteries amps are just a little low the engine will crank like normal and won't start they are very sensative to any voltage/amperage that is the slightest bit below full voltage.
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you definitely need a high capacity starting battery for you Optimax I have run many including my current 250 XS see the info below it may be of some help and for good Mercury info see the BBC.com site this info comes from..... "BATTERIES THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENT"- Updated 3/15
Ok guys:
This data was provided by Mercury Marine's R&D Department.
Although these batteries were tested for use with the Verado Engines, their superior Reserve Capacity Ratings would make them an EXCELLENT choice for Optimax or EFI engines used in a Bass Application!
The batteries listed are ALL AGM (Advanced Glass Mat) batteries, and were required to meet at least one of the following ratings:
-1000 MCA
-800 CCA
-180ah*, or meet the 135-RC 25 Capacity Rating.
*For Optimax models, this rating would be 105ah (and this rating is SELDOM used in the US- recommend using CCA Ratings).
Batteries were tested to ensure that they "met" their advertised capacities also.
All of the batteries listed are heavy- and they are not cheap. However... if you want something you can depend on... a wise investment!
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(Testing and information courtesy of Mercury Marine Research & Development)
-Odyssey PC1500, PC1700, PC2150 and PC2250.
-Optima Group 31
-West Marine Sea Volt Group 31 AGM (Edited due to change in capacity of Grp 27).
-Cabela's ** (REMOVED as new-updated specifications indicate they do not meet requirements- See notes below- did not meet advertised Capacity Ratings).
-Trolling Thunder TT1175 and TT1370.
-Excide Megacycle (Mercury Brand) MC-31 and XMC-31.
-Sears Die Hard Platinum 34M (PM-2) and 31M (PM-1).
-Deka Sea Mate/Intimidator 8A31DTM.
** During initial testing, these batteries do not meet their advertised cranking ratings. Later published ratings support this (they do not meet the requirements).
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Although these batteries were tested for use with the Verado Engines, their superior Reserve Capacity Ratings would make them an EXCELLENT choice for Optimax or EFI engines used in a Bass Application!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
STRONGLY RECOMMEND the installation of a CLAMP-STYLE battery terminal on most of these batteries. This gives you a THREADED connection, that is CLAMPED to the largest/strongest connection point the battery has to offer (and often prevents MANY problems that can creep up down the road).
Example:
"BATTERIES THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENT"- Updated 3/15-marineterminal.jpg
Make ALL connections to the terminal as described below:
Battery terminal connections should be installed ENGINE CABLE FIRST, remaining lugs "Largest to Smallest", and finish off the connection with a Stainless Locknut (do NOT use wing-nuts).
BEFORE INSTALLING A NYLOCK NUT ON A BATTERY TERMINAL: IT SHOULD BE PRE-THREADED ONTO A SUITABLE BOLT FULLY, AND REMOVED FROM THE BOLT (to ensure nylock is pre-threaded, and no abnormalities exist in the nut).
Failure to follow this step MAY result in damage to the threaded terminals inside the battery (and subsequent intermittent or total failure of the battery to charge or perform properly).
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Sorry I left this Link out .... http://www.bbcboards.net/mercury-3-liter-3-liter-high-performance/22038-faq-commonly-asked-used-posts-look-here-first-updated-5-2015-a.html
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I put optima so, 31 all the way around. They are pretty awesome. Never lack power for anything.