Marine Battery Recommendation

My starting battery in my Ranger is dying. The 3 trolling motor batteries are also quite old. (More than 5 years) I see many options as far as batteries go, but in looking at the date these batteries were purchased I would say there are many good batteries out there. The starting battery is from 2006 and the trolling motor batteries are 2008, 2009, and 2012. There is only one higher end battery and that is a blue top Optima (2012). I use my boat at least 40 times a year and the trolling motor is used a lot. The on board charger is plugged in all the time when not on the water. I am looking for opinions on what to buy and where to get it. I prefer local if the price is fair. So fire away with recommendations.

Try doing a quick search on this site. I think this has been talked about 5+ times already this year. Get the largest AGM batteries that will fit.

2x largest AGM. And it is best not to mix the vintage/brand/size of your trolling motor batteries.

Also you might demote the 2012 battery to the starting position. Thats what I used to do. Oldest AGM to that job. Always worked for me. Assuming the battery is still good. I never use “starting” batteries in my boat anymore. A marine AGM deepcycle has more than enough MCA to start your outboard. It also can run your pumps and electrionics and still start the big motor.

I received a bit of advice from a couple tournament pros yesterday.

They no longer use AGM because they provided no longer life than their lead acid batteries. 2 years max.

If you regularly discharge your batteries beyond 50%, AGM’s won’t be any benefit.

This makes sense.

How would a pro know? Most of them get new batteries every year? And they don’t have batteries sit idle for long. Things AGM’s do well.

This makes sense.

gizmoguy wrote:

How would a pro know? Most of them get new batteries every year? And they don’t have batteries sit idle for long. Things AGM’s do well.

This makes sense.

Mane I stated it wrong. They are at least tournament anglers. Not sure onvtheir professional status.

If you regularly discharge your batteries below 50%, no battery will last a long time. That’s a fact.

They also work at a place that sells marine batteries.

Don’t shoot the messenger.

Thanks for the clairification.

Now that makes sense. If you beat your batteries that hard and that often plan on a new set every two years anyway.

Just bought a new battery to replace the one that fried.

Went to the Interstate batteries store in Coon Rapids and walked away a very happy customer. Got an unbeatable deal on my battery too.

Ended up with a standard group 27, same as my other two in my 36v system. After a long conversation about standard deep cycle vs AGM, it was clear what I should do.

The biggest takeaway is that AGM won’t make much difference if you’re going to frequently put a deep drain on them. To get the best life out of a battery you should get the biggest one possible. If you don’t have room, make room, or settle with shorter life.

After I run these batteries into the ground, I’m replacing all of them with group 31 deep cycle.