Batteries – Best options?

Deep Cycle batteries just bit the dust after 4 years.
Now they just won’t hold a charge. Can anyone tell me what they thjink about the Spirex technology used on Optima Batteries is the price worth it? I use a 24 volt system, so the cost of Optima is almost $450-500 for 2. Will they last any longer than typical deep cycle batteries? Any other good choices out there? thanks Dave

AC/Delco Voyager. Good batteries and won’t break the bank.

Get the big yellow batteries from wally world. Great batteries, won’t break the bank, and the best warranty I have encountered. I’ve got 3 in my C-liner right now and couldn’t be happier. Plus, I spent ~ half as much as you’re thinking about on those Optimas.

HAD GREAT LUCK W/ AC DELCO VOYAGERS

Here is an old thread that I posted earlier this year Batteries
I do not see the point of the high dollar batteries, I get mine from Walmart. Everstart batteries. I do a breakdown on the other post and can not see the big buck batteries lasting any longer. Plus if I have a problem with the Walmart specials I can go to any Walmart and get a new one.

Ron

Got my last ones at Sams Club, I think less than $90, do a great job for a whole lot less $$$$.

Bought two Series 29 Everstart from Wally world last year for around 130 bucks instead of 380 for two Optima that I thought about buying. Had more than enough power to fish all day.

Thanks for the advice. Now that I think about it, I probably killed the batteries myself after storing the boat over the winter at a farm with batteries disconnected but left to freeze. $200 sounds a lot better than the $400 Optimas would cost. Where is Wally World? is there any in the twin city metro area? thanks Dave

Our top seller is the Nortern battery. These are the batteries that we sell to all the big boats on the river to run as house batteries. I have started putting them in my G3 boats instead of the Optimas. A 27EV is $68.75 and a 31EV is $86.25. In the big boats batteries are lasting at least 3-4 years and they get really abused. We still have Optimas at $176 and $205 but don’t sell many. My understanding on the Optimas is how quick they come back to life after charging not the life of the battery. Same warranty on all.

Excide Nautilus will last 5 years eay if you keep them charged.

Just droped two new ones in a buddies boat last week-end, I think he said that he got them at Fleet Farm for $56 ea.

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Thanks for the advice. Where is Wally World?

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You are welcome

Wally World = Walmart
I am sure that you have one less than 10 miles from your house.
Ron

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Get the big yellow batteries from wally world. Great batteries, won’t break the bank, and the best warranty I have encountered. I’ve got 3 in my C-liner right now and couldn’t be happier. Plus, I spent ~ half as much as you’re thinking about on those Optimas.

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I’ll second the comments made on Walmart (Everstart) batteries. I am on year #3 on mine. Since I keep my boat in the garage and plug in the charger every time, there is no need to spend the extra $$ on a gel cell or something more elaborate that what I have.

My Father-in-law went to a gel cell on his sail boat which makes sense since the battery compartment is always hot, humid, and it is not practical to charge the battery every time that it is used (boat stays in a slip, not a garage).

Wal-Mart battery fan here as well. Get the bright yellow ones that are deep cycle and you will not be disappointed

I think most batteries are made by exide and are packaged differently for each vendor. My advice, call interstate batteries and see if they have any blemished batteries. They are $35 a piece (1/2 price) for deep cycle batteries and come with 1/2 the warranty. My last set lasted 3 years, or about as long as the full price version. Blem batteries are blems usually because of some cosmetic flaw that will not effect performance.

I upgraded to a 24 volt 73lb thrust bow mount trolling motor last year. I purchased two Trojan deep cycle batteries and I think they are awesome! I think I could run the trolling motor at medium speed for two days straight and they wouldn’t be drained. I’m impressed for sure.

Exide/Johnson Controls are the biggest players.I had great luck with the AC Delco Voyager in the past.The boat I have now,I bought a Cabelas AGM.I am currently running everything from one battery.18 month no questions asked warranty.It was 99.99(Cabelas Club).It is still at 80% charge.Only time will tell.

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…I probably killed the batteries myself after storing the boat over the winter at a farm with batteries disconnected but left to freeze.

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Dave,

I did the same thing a year ago and lost two Trojan batteries for my electric motor. I thought they’d be fine if they froze but had a good charge in them. Many dollars later, I find out that is a bad plan.

I use WalMart’s Everstart Maxx Marine battery for my big motor, GPS, and sonar and have no problems. Good battery–great price!

I use Interstate Deep Cycle and Cranking batteries and never have had a problem with them. I would highly recommend them.

Where do you find ac delco voyagers? I really like the trojans but they are around $90 At gander and batteries plus

Try Batteries Plus. They have a great warranty. Take them back each year and get them tested. If they lose ANYTHING in the first 12 months they replace them free. After that take them back and get they tested every year. For the next 24 months they pro-rate the replacement. They are honest around here anyways. I need a new starting battery, mine has one bad cell, still works, but not for an extended day on the water. Anyways, I have priced batteries around here. 27 series is all that will fit in my rig. $59.99 at Batteries Plus for battery with 825 CCA. I checked Walmart and Farm and Fleet, they both wanted at least $10 more for 675 CCA and less warranty. Interstate wanted $25 more. I know where I am going to shop. Also take note, there are probably only 2 or 3 battery manufacturers in this country, they just make the packages look different. Do not waste you money buying a battery at Gander, Bass Pro, Cabelas, or any of the big retailers. Go to a battery store.

Robby, which brand did you buy? did you but the Werker line that they stock or the Trojans that are the two brands they have here at the local battery plus

I have three Optima’s in my boat and so far I would buy them again . Going on three years will see !