Deep Cycle Battery — Interstate

I just bought a new boat and my trolling motor battery went out that I have had for a couple of years.

First question is how long should a good deep cycle 12 volt battery last assuming I maintain water levels correctly.
Second I have heard you should make sure that the charge on the battery is low so you get full charge and create good memory???
Third I am looking at interstate battery deep cycle from local alumicraft dealer is that a decent brand?

Thanks in advance.

Just checked mine and I have one from 2009.. so 8 years is good for me ! I only run Interstates.

7 to 8 years is certainly attainable if well maintained. Interstate also has a national warranty. Only battery I’ve ever used.

x2 on interstate batteries.they should last at least 5 years with proper care. You want to charge them when your done using them for the day. It is ok to run them down, thats what they’re made for. But you still want to charge them up at the end od the day so they dont develop build up on the plates.

The deeper you discharge a battery, the shorter its lifespan will be. That being said, “Deep Cycle” batteries are designed to handle deeper discharges better than a starting or auto batteries. For example, if a deep cycle battery is routinely taken to a depth of discharge (DOD) of 50% (12.06 volts), it will last about twice as long as one that is discharged to a DOD of 80% (11.58 volts). With deep cycles, it is also not good to have frequent shallow cycles. Continually discharging to a DOD of less than 10% (12.5 volts) and recharging will shorten a battery life. As mentioned, keeping a battery discharged long periods of time will lead to sulphation of the plates and can cause premature failure.

The recommendation would be to chose a deep cycle battery size so that your typical usage will take it to 20%-50% DOD (12.42-12.06 volts).

Yes, I am a battery geek and check my DOD with my multi-meter after usage. I do use Interstate batteries and just replaced my 2007 batteries this spring.

Guys thanks for the feedback I will go ahead with the interstate then.

Trent how much is a multi meter and I guess I will have to see what a normal usage brings my battery down to. But if I am correct your saying that I want to not charge the battery unless it is about half dead/used for best longevity?

Tight lines all.

You can get a decent Multi-meter from one of the big box stores for under $30. Occasionally shallow cycling a battery will be fine. If you are doing it all the time, you might have too big of a battery for your needs (or the wrong type). 20 – 50% DOD is your sweet spot. If you are using a deep cycle as a starting battery and it is not being drained by other electronics, you could be in a shallow cycle situation. It is correct that deep cycles have the amps to start motors reliably, but a dedicated starting/deep cycle can handle shallow cycles better. Its always best to charge up if you are not going to using it for several days, even if less than 10%. If you fish in the morning and go less than 10% and plan on fishing later in the day, leave the charger off.

For trolling motor, get a Group 29. For starting, I run a Group 27.

I get about 5 years out mine generally, and that’s fine by me. They get used a lot.

Switch from group 31 lead acid to AGM, very happy with them. No maintainace. Just keep them charged. For winter storage I just disconnect the positive and they hold a charge all winter. Takes 5 minutes to top them off in the spring when I pick up the boat. I have 3 deep cycle/staring group 27 AGM Fleet Farm $160.00 each with core charge and discount. Still going strong 4 years.

I think there is something to this shallow charging theory. When I got my AGM batteries I got group 27 by mistake. For my usage they work better than the group 31.

Sounds like I need to take more of those 2 hr. after work trips and then do my long weekend trip for the sake of the battery. Hmmm

You can pick up a multimeter at Harbor Freight for $3. I carry one in my truck. Measures voltage accurately enough and it I lose it, it’s $3.

I have an onboard charger in the boat. When I get off the water I plug it in and walk away. I’ve never worried about how much the battery was discharged, I just plug in the charger and leave it. I usually get 5 or 6 years out of a a trolling motor battery, longer for the starting battery.

SR

Steve Root wrote:

You can pick up a multimeter at Harbor Freight for $3. I carry one in my truck. Measures voltage accurately enough and it I lose it, it’s $3.

I have an onboard charger in the boat. When I get off the water I plug it in and walk away. I’ve never worried about how much the battery was discharged, I just plug in the charger and leave it. I usually get 5 or 6 years out of a a trolling motor battery, longer for the starting battery.

SR
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X2 What SR said works for me also

Guy on another thread swears by the AGM Duracell-any thoughts?

tim hurley wrote:

Guy on another thread swears by the AGM Duracell-any thoughts?

Years ago Duracell AGM Platinum were considered the “best value” and thought to be rebranded Odyssey AGM’s. I don’t believe that is true any longer?

Thanks fishwater-was that a statement or question? Other info on Duracell?

my interstate last 7 yrs. i am looking AGM Duracell at Sam $176 (group 31).

Tim – sorry, I was mistaken. It was the Sears Die-Hard Platnum AGM’s that were made by Odyssey.

The majority of batteries sold in the USA are made by Johnson Controls , including interstate, everstart , Duracell etc . Same battery , different label , possibly different warranty though. Figure the best size ( ah , cca) for your use and go from there . I run agm 31 optimas and am very happy . I see no advantage to buying a voltmeter , you gonna quit fishing when battery is low ? spend that money on a better battery , and fish as hard as you can , as long as you can , plug it in at night .

I am diligent about charging mt batteries asap each outing. I am terrible about battery maintenence, I never add water. This said I normally get 6 years from my batteries. I run 36 volt trolling motors and run them hard. Starting battery runs outboard, lights, graphs, livewells, etc. Prolly need a new starting battery this year, hopeing can wait on the deep cycles until next yesr. Will see. Somebody please go over the procedure of adding water to cells. I should prolly get in the practice. Thanks.

Costco is best place to buy interstate batteries, i think they are around $80

If you only have one battery I would go to an AGM. They hold a charge much better and last a lot longer when drained completely and recharged.

Good advice from Trent W. about how to size so you use enough but not too much of your charge. Another reason to not use more than 50% of charge is that it shortens the life of trolling motor components. As voltage drops amperage (current) rises which contributes to arcing and higher running temperatures. Hard on switching components and even armature and motor stator in extreme frequent low battery usage.

I wish my batteries lasted as long as most have stated. I have a 24 Volt system for my Trolling motor. I use interstate batteries. I also plug my boat in after every use. Depending on the conditions when I’m using it will affect how long they last on each trip. The first 2 years on the batteries, they hold a charge like a champ. Year 3 I can notice a difference on how long they hold the charge. Year 4, there will be times I wish I had new batteries. Year 5, I will have new batteries. A few guys I fish with claim their batteries are fully charged when we go out. If the conditions are tough, they are dead or near dead in 15 minutes. Go figure, their batteries are 10 years old.

So all AGMs are the same? Now I have to worry about arcing? More thoughts?

Go lithium and never look back……if you don’t mind dropping a grand on batteries. Interstates for me as well, going on year 6 with this set.

Group 31 Lithium Ion batteries $1200.00 each last time I looked 3 years ago.

24 Volt battery 31 pounds with charger 2999

How about a nuclear reactor like the subs, they can go a hundred years without a recharge. Lithium? Not in the budget-So are all AGMs the same or not? I hear a lot of people talking about Interstate (good and bad) but that is because they are everywhere-Is that great engineering or great marketing?

check on your interstate warranty I was told 1 year!!!! I had ta bad 1 and it was not under warranty would not buy another as far as deep cycle