Deep cycle battery life

I run a costco interstate deep cycle for boat and ice house – it always lives on a battery tender when not in use. It seems greatly decline after 3 years. Is that about typical?

Assuming you are keeping the post and wires clean it seems a bit fast. But…………

Had 3 deep cycle interstates for my ulterra and 1 for my starting. Always maintained. Two were shot after 2.5yrs, the starting by 3yrs. I figured interstates would give me longer life but now I’m starting to think all lead acid batteries are about the same. I got better performance on my previous Walmart batteries that were a decent bit cheaper. Went back to the Walmart batteries this time figuring that lithium might be a realistic alternative by the time they die again.

you are in for a variety of responses. I would say I would not be happy with only three years but I have also been there recently. Bummer it’s not cheap to have fun.

Just checked all 3 of my boat batteries 2013 still going strong. Got them from Advance Auto Zone Johnson Control batteries.

For what I understand there’s a Decent amount of batteries with the interstate name on them that aren’t necessarily interstate quality or made like there top shelf ones if that makes sense.

I had a pair of Cabelas Angler Advantage deep cycle batteries that came with my boat when it in 2016. I had to replace them about 3 weeks ago so they lasted 4.5 years. I’m pretty good about keeping them charged and keeping the posts clean so they served their purpose. I replaced them with interstates from fleet farm but the clerk almost talked me into a pair of Resolutes, which are fleets brand of batteries that were about $25 less each. He said they were basically the same with a different label slapped on it. I think 3+ seasons out of a standard battery is good enough. If you get any more, it’s a bonus.

I had two batteries in my boat that I just sold. One was an interstate that I bought in 2011 and was still going strong. The other was a resolute fleet farm battery that was going strong on year 4. I check water levels every couple months and keep them on a trickle charger for a couple days every month when not being in use.

In the process of finding out now. My trolling motor has been dying on outings lately after only 15 minutes of use or so. I suspect a bad battery but they all check out fine on the multi meter. These batteries are on their 4th year.

Incidentally whats the best way to keep terminals clean? I’ve seen a tool thats kinda like a cover over the terminal and you screw it back and forth which gets rid of the build up. Not sure if I should get something like that or if there is another solution

Starter battery group 24 Interstate deep cycle. Just replaced after 5 years, $105.

Yeah Crappie those tools are fine, they also sell a spray cleaner and sealant you can use, although truth be told I can’t remember the last time I cleaned mine.

I don’t want to jinx myself, but I have the 3 original Interstate trolling motor batteries from when I bought the boat new in 2009, it is actually a 2008 though. The boat is always kept inside and on a battery charger.

trolling motor batteries have got as high as 5 years on a 24 volt system, On average I would say 3 years all using 27 size. all have been Walmart everstarts batteries.

crappie55369 wrote:

Incidentally whats the best way to keep terminals clean?

Water and moisture is what makes them go bad. Ideally storing your boat inside would keep it out of the elements. Some compartments are also better than others when it comes to leaking in water when it rains or you take splash over the bow, it depends on the brand. I just use WD-40 and then wipe it clean after the spray has time to work. If you see any green discoloration, you’ve got problems already.

Those of you getting 5+ years out of your batteries…you’re playing with house money! Its pretty easy to tell when the batteries go bad IMO. I always keep a portable power pack available to do a jump start in a pinch too.

I have heard good things and have had good luck with NAAPA marine batteries. At the end of the season make sure the cells are covered or add distilled water.

Depth of discharge is as important as keeping the battery charged. All batteries are rated for a certain number of discharges to a certain discharge level. If you regularly discharge them to 25% or less, you either need bigger batteries or you need to accept the fact you’ll be buying batteries every couple years.

All the anecdotal experiences here aren’t going to mean much since everyone has different size boats and fishes differently so inherently discharges them differently.

I buy interstate because I always know what I’m getting and the sales guy always matches the manufacture dates to get the best possible life out of them. All the more reason to go to the interstate store and talk to one of the senior sales people to get what will work best for you.

Both my applications have the battery only discharging until I hook it up to the charger. On my boat it is hooked up to a small trolling motor, and in the house it powers the 12v lights/fans and an inverter for tv and phone chargers.

I noticed this winter that the tv would cut out on a day trip whereas it normally can last much longer.

crappie55369 wrote:

Incidentally whats the best way to keep terminals clean? I’ve seen a tool thats kinda like a cover over the terminal and you screw it back and forth which gets rid of the build up. Not sure if I should get something like that or if there is another solution

Once scrubbed clean (Battery post cleaner – or wire bristle brush), cover with Dielectric grease.

Also, use a Load Tester to verify a bad battery. Voltage means nothing unless under a load. They’re cheap, and really helps diagnose replacement time for a battery.

I get about 500-600 outings on my batteries. Interstate Deep Cycles Gp 29 or 31’s. Takes about 3 years before the load tester says “Give em to someone else to use sparingly “

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Interstate Deep Cycles Gp 29 or 31’s. Takes about 3 years before the load tester says “Give em to someone else to use sparingly “

Let me know when your tester says that. I’d take one for occasional use in my canoe.

Any Autozone or O’Reilly Auto Parts location will also load test your batteries free of charge. I don’t have a load tester but there are multiple locations near me and on the way to/from the lake so its very easy to get it done. Doesn’t take more than a couple minutes.

Good timing. My trolling motor batteries seem to not last long after a charge. Took it in to have my guy look test them. He said they are fine, but they are starting batteries not deep cycle. The boat is 2 years old. Kinda odd I think. He didn’t encourage me to swap em out. He said when you do, to put in deep cycles. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I have a 2018 Crestliner Bass Hawk 1850 w/ 80lb 24v Ultrexx. Thanks

I had any issue with my interstates this spring each 1 individually tested about 12.3 volts give or take but when hooked up together would only read 31 volts I took them and got them tested and 1 of them wouldn’t even get to 100 cranking maps. I had them put on an overnight test 2 where good one was shot and all were purchased at same time.

Sodaksam do you know
What the reserve capacity is of your batteries that 80 pound thrust can draw aloft of lamps when turned up my guess is your batteries don’t have much reserve capacity

So I took mine back to get a new one at costco today – noticed that it was actually only about 2.5 years before it pooped out.

The guy there said that it MIGHT be that the MN weather is hard on them with the extreme temp swings (not just hot or cold, but the changes). If that is true, then my battery goes through some big swings from negative whatever to the toasty 75 degrees I keep my fish house is once i warm it up.

He more so talked about possibly getting a bad battery, and suggested that with the short warranties on deep cycles (1yr) I get it load tested for free at autozone or any oil change place at month 11 to see if it is beginning to fail (i.e. is a bad battery).

I felt that at 90 something bucks I got out of there cheaper than last time.

I don’t know if an automotive load tester is going to give you good info about a deep cycle battery.

Buy a can of battery terminal protector. It works like a charm. I have never had any fuzzy battery terminals.

tindall wrote:

I run a costco interstate deep cycle for boat and ice house – it always lives on a battery tender when not in use. It seems greatly decline after 3 years. Is that about typical?

13 years on 3 agm batteries. One went bad so I replaced them all. Boat was always in a heated garage and on a charger.

DTW wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tindall wrote:</div>
I run a costco interstate deep cycle for boat and ice house – it always lives on a battery tender when not in use. It seems greatly decline after 3 years. Is that about typical?

13 years on 3 agm batteries. One went bad so I replaced them all. Boat was always in a heated garage and on a charger.

Very nice. I get about 9 yrs on my AGM’s on average. Stored outside in the summer and inside in the winter. I do NOT keep them on a charger. AGM batteries hold their charge VERY well, in fact, after you charge them up prior to winter storage, they should stay fully charge until spring!

Do you check the water levels in them 2x a year?
Leaving a charger on them constant will cause faster evaporation.

Heat is hard on them too, refrigerate after every use.

Interstate starting battery in my I/O only lasted 3 years and left the FW stranded. Decided this spring to run 2 batteries (parallel) with a tender ….. Will be interesting to see if this prolongs overall life/reliability.

Pete