Trolling Batteries

Looking to buy two new trolling motor batteries, stuck between the Optima Model D31M Blue Top Battery or a Optima Model D34M Blue Top Battery. Thinking the D31M might last a little longer but just not sure what the major difference is. Does anyone have any experience with either of these batteries or similar gel style batteries?

http://67.199.57.160/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=9

I’ve had good luck with the Cabela’s AGM series.

I had bad luck with my Optimas and switched to Cabelas AGMS, the grey cased ones. The Cabelas AGMs are stronger and last longer. I will not have anything else in the boat. BTW, they are on sale right now, flyer just came yesterday.The group 30 has CCA of 1500.

I bought 2 back in Jan,2006.The longest I have ever owned batteries(or a boat/motor/trailer )They still test good after a full day(knock on wood).Hope the new ones are as good as the old ones.

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I had bad luck with my Optimas and switched to Cabelas AGMS, the grey cased ones. The Cabelas AGMs are stronger and last longer. I will not have anything else in the boat. BTW, they are on sale right now, flyer just came yesterday.The group 30 has CCA of 1500.

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agree on the AGM”S had mine now since 05 best set I have ever had

Cabelas agm gets my vote best battery I’ve owned I’m running the 27s on minn kota maxxum 80lb fish all day with tournament load in current with strong wind I pretty much had to stand on motor all day in my mind best you can get ive also heard good things on the interstate batteries

I got D31M’s and they are fantastic… I fished a few weekends last year… 3 days without charging…
I also do not use an on board charger, they are junk… I charge mine with schumacher 15 amp chargers… me and my buddy did bench testing on 2 different brands of on board chargers and not boring you with the results… we both got rid of them…
optima prices… I found the best price at autozone… maybe find some coupons and save even more…

I also have D31M’s and have had great luck with them Very happy for sure. Run a 24 volt in a Ranger 620 and can run all day long and have never ran out of power. Also have used same batteries in my Lodge ice shack and again, no problems. Have had for 6+ years now.
Some say the Optima doesn’t charge well with some on board chargers. Never experienced that.
I also run 2 D34’s parrell as 12 volt in my boat due to all the elctronics and again, have never ran out of juice. These are also around 6 years old. Been transfered between 2 boats now.
That’s Just my expereience with them!

I have used both optima and cabelas and had good luck with both. Cabelas are cheaper so that is why I went with them last time. New boat is coming with Oddessy batteries. They are more expensive but from what I have read they test out the best. My last boat had onboard charger and would not be without one. Just my opinion.

I put 3 D31Ms in my Ranger in 2005 and still going strong. I have used the 3 bank onboard charger and have experienced no charging problems. They are absolutely the best batteries I have ever used. Charge lasts a long time and they charge fast. I probably don’t use them as hard as some, ie:I don’t fish tournaments, but still……

I have run the 31M Optima’s in the past. 2 of the 4 that I ran in my boat failed after 2 months of use. The starting battery never had enough energy to keep my electronics and accessories running all day and needed to add an extra for that. The power for the TM started to fall off after 4 hrs of use. When I returned them, the store mgr reported a one in three failure rate. Did a little research on finding a premium battery for my Skeeter and went with the Odyssey PC 2150 31M http://www.odysseybattery.com. and have had more than enough power to get me thru multiple days on the water. Check out the specs,warranty and cycle life on the website.If their good enough for the U.S. military to start their equipment, their good enough to keep me on the water for my guide trips and tournament events. BatteriePlus & Skeeter Boat Center retail them.No more battery issues here, “Got my Odyssey’s”

Greg is it possible for you to get water in that compartment? I wanted to run my charger exactly like yours but didnt like the chance of water in there, thanks a ton, Ben.

Ben, PM sent.

Thanks a bunch for the information, I figured I better ask before dropping 5 – 600 dollars on batteries.