Trolling Batteries Failing. Need Repl Suggestions

I got a full 4 years from my 2 Exide trolling motor batteries. 24 volt configuration. They are now fading. I need experienced suggestions. On one hand I would like the new technology such as gel or spiral glass however on the other hand I can spend a fraction of that cost and get the regular acid batteries like I had and likely get 4 years of service. Your advice would be appreciated.

Mike

The mfg’s claim great things for the new battery types. But, I’m curious to see what people have to say about them,and wondering if they have been available long enough to know how long they will last. Please when you post about your experience, note how long you have had them.

you probably get a thousand replies on what name brand to buy from all state to sears or who the heck knows,but here,s the story on batteries.buy a deep cycle.find a no maintenace type.the refill type is for hot conditions like a engine compartment. trolling motors and the battery are not stored in hot enough areas to have a fill type.avoid acid spill and filling buy a no maint.battery.there are not that many battery factories so your delco,sears, all state etc. could all be made in the same plant,battery engineering is not new so,there all the same in deep cycle. the most important thing,read my lips or fingers is age of battery . buy from a store that has a big turn over of stock, kmart,wal mate etc. AND CHECK DATE BATTERY WAS MADE. the newer the better nothing more than 3months old. you see what really kills a battery is shelf shuffle they move the older ones forward. as a battery sits the plates break down and short each other out causing battery failure. if that puppy has been in the back room for 10 months don,t expect a good result

I’d recommend buying the April-May edition of the In-Fisherman magazine and read the very good,very detailed article regarding deep cycle batteries.To para phrase it,buy the battery that pops your hemmorroids most while lifting it…Read the article and you will know what I mean.I’d stay away from the gel or orbital style batteries.While not speaking from experience,a few of my co-workers have had them and none liked them.Slow recharge times and less power output seemed to be the biggest complaint.I did recently replace my batteries with Walmarts brand (Evertroll) and am very surprised at the power output and recharge times.Walmarts batteries are manufactured by MotorCraft,who was recently named the most reliable OEM battery.

I’ll give the thumbs up for the Wall-Mart Ever Start Trolling motor batteries. (Just looked at them, and the label is EverStart) I have a set of Group 27 series with 3 seasons of use on a 24 volt Minokta and don’t have any reason to believe I won’t get a couple more. I paid $55 bucks each for them and will do it again when needed.

J.

I have two Orbital batteries in my boat. They have been in for almost a year, Not a speck of trouble and I like how fast they recharge. They are at least 20lbs lighter than conventionl deep cycle, and I find they last just as long. So far So good, time will tell !!! Orbital Batterier aren’t new, they have been on the market for several years. They are a little spendy though ! Buy freash batteries and keep them charged, And there is a proper way to charge deep cycle batteries. For more info see a NAPA PRO !!!

Richard (Smitty)

Keep A tight line !!!

Here’s a battery tip, and the folks here are great to work with!

http://www.powertroll.com/index.html

Thanks guys. Those glass/gel batteries sure sound good but I can’t justify the expense when I can spend 1/3 as much for lead acid and get 3-4 years out of them. I think after the advice here and other sources I will go with a group 27 lead acid.

Are your present batteries deep cycle or dual purpose? I am presently in need of new batteries. The deep cycle are about $20 more than dual purpose, are deep cycle worth the differance??

If you’re using them for just trolling, go with the deep cycle trolling and not the deep cycle trolling/starting. No smaller than group 27. And you wouldn’t believe what an on-board charger will do to help maintain equal charge and make your batteries last longer. Fourth year on my evertrolls and no sign of weakness.

I have a 36 volt system..I opted 3 years ago to go with the Gel batteries Optima…cost high…However I fish all year round and so far knock on wood Have not had to do anything to them except plug in my on board charger…I don’t have to take the deck apart to peek and see if there is enough water in them. I have not done a thing to them…And I have never run them out of juice on high for three hours is the hardest I’ve run them,and they didn’t fail me….I do not know how long they will last..But if they die tomorrow I would do it again..They are service free and I like that..