What batteries should I buy?

Got a new Terrova this year and my old Interstate batteries need replacing I think. They are 6 years old . What should I replace them with? I can’t go any bigger, I am maxed out on space.

Interstate SRM 29 Marine/ RV. 675 CCA, 845 MCA. Need two replacements ( 24 v system)

Interstate Cranking battery. 27M-XHD.
800 CCA, 1000 MCA.

I have had 2 sets of group 29s from fleet farm and they both lasted 5 years. I replaced before they died.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I have had 2 sets of group 29s from fleet farm and they both lasted 5 years. I replaced before they died.

Do you use the interstate brand name ones or the fleet farm knock off resolutes? I may need to replace a cranking battery this season and I have a feeling they are basically the same battery with a different sticker. The resolute batteries cost a fair amount less but if the same performance can be expected…

I think 31’s fit where 29’s do. At least on my boat they do. Sams club has great prices on the AGM’s, but you would have to have a charger that charges AGM’s.

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bearcat89 wrote:</div>
I have had 2 sets of group 29s from fleet farm and they both lasted 5 years. I replaced before they died.

Do you use the interstate brand name ones or the fleet farm knock off resolutes? I may need to replace a cranking battery this season and I have a feeling they are basically the same battery with a different sticker. The resolute batteries cost a fair amount less but if the same performance can be expected…

I have the resolute. Green labeled batteries. I have 0 complaints and they are relatively cheap

Musky Ed wrote:

I think 31’s fit where 29’s do. At least on my boat they do. Sams club has great prices on the AGM’s, but you would have to have a charger that charges AGM’s.

I was going to ask those questions next. 1) if size 29 means they are all the same dimensions? Or do I need to measure?

2) I have a Dual Pro 3 bank charger that I like and would rather not change. It was a huge pain to get mounted in the small space I am working with

Bearcat89 wrote:

I have the resolute. Green labeled batteries. I have 0 complaints and they are relatively cheap

Thanks I think I will give it a try.

Like my Napas

I guess I can contact Dual Pro and see if that charger will do AGMs. Otherwise maybe it’s just easier to stick with lead-acid.

I prefer the lead acid myself, then if needed you can swap one to the starting position. Interstate’s are the best out there, Napa Legend’s are close behind or maybe even with them. All other cheaper options are a drop in quality. I wish I had room for 29’s or 31’s in mine that would help with capacity.

John Rasmussen wrote:

Interstate’s are the best out there

The service tech at the Ford Service location I take my vehicles to told me that most batteries are the same, just with a different label. I don’t know if he was specifically referring to an automotive battery or all lead acid batteries though. I’ve had good luck with interstate marine batteries for years now but Bearcat recommended a knock off Resolute from Fleet Farm which is often less costly. Is an interstate brand name essentially the same as another brand John?

For the record I got 4.5 years out of my deep cycles for my bow mount, which I replaced last season. They were interstates that came with the boat when I bought it. I think that is a good return on a standard lead acid battery.

AGM’s all the e way. Check the Duracell AGMs at Batteries plus Bulbs. 3 year warr. I have two of them now and they have been working out great. I love their top of the line AGMs which are rebranded NorthStar batteries but these Duracells seem like a better deal.

I believe there are a small handful of major battery manufacturers in the United States that output nearly every battery you will find on store shelves. East Penn, Johnson Controls (acquired by Clarios in 2019), Brookfield, Exide are the big ones last I checked. Brookfield and Exide both manufacture Interstate.

I’ve had great luck with Interstate on my boats, AC Delco batteries in all of our GM vehicles have never disappointed (I had my last one go 7 years before giving up the ghost, my mom’s malibu battery was in good working order for 9 years and never sat on a tender once in its life). These are made in Saudi Arabia apparently but owned by Johnson controls (now Clarios).

I have bought a few Exide lawnmower batteries from Menards with mixed results. Had an exide cranking battery and trolling motor batteries in my last boat with no issues but I sold the boat shortly after replacing the cranking battery so no real long term exposure there.

I have heard excellent things about NAPA’s house brand, also made by Johnson Controls.

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>John Rasmussen wrote:</div>
Interstate’s are the best out there

The service tech at the Ford Service location I take my vehicles to told me that most batteries are the same, just with a different label. I don’t know if he was specifically referring to an automotive battery or all lead acid batteries though. I’ve had good luck with interstate marine batteries for years now but Bearcat recommended a knock off Resolute from Fleet Farm which is often less costly. Is an interstate brand name essentially the same as another brand John?

For the record I got 4.5 years out of my deep cycles for my bow mount, which I replaced last season. They were interstates that came with the boat when I bought it. I think that is a good return on a standard lead acid battery.

You were informed correctly, there are very few manufactures and most come out of Johnson controls. What I have been told is that it has to do with the quality of materials that Interstate and Napa Legends mandate they use in those batteries, and the others get the less quality material. In the automotive industry we see the cheap super start’s fail a lot. All batteries have defects and issues sometimes, I have just seen a lot less with the Interstates and the Legends. Beware all companies sell cheaper knock offs.

This is from Troop Auto:

Who Makes Interstate Batteries?

Interstate batteries markets automotive batteries manufactured by Brookfield Business partners, Exide Technologies, Johnson Controls, and others through independent interstate batteries dealers.

However, some report states that 65% of interstate batteries are made by Johnson Controls, including the automotive, car, truck, and marine Batteries. But currently, Johnson is not making the batteries, and Exide has taken over that task of Johnson Controls for Interstate batteries.

Johnson Controls that was bought by Brookfield Business Partners on May 1 for $13 billion — launched itself with the name Clarios and a new logo and website.May 9, 2019

Duracell batteries at Batterys Plus are made by the east Penn company. Wallmart batteries are made by the Clarios or the old Johnson Controls.
Costco has Interstate for $87 ea size 27

I have been buying the cheap walmart group 27’s the last few times, usually get 3 years for sure, maybe 4 if I accept some lost capacity. I picked up Duralast 27’s from Autozone this spring because they were a decent price and recently manufactured. They are awesome now (as they should be), I’ll have to report back in a few years with how they hold up.

As usual it’s more complicated than it should be. Or, I make it more complicated.

Interstate does not make 29s anymore. I was told the 31s are the same size but when I look at the specs it says they are about an inch taller than my old ones. I’m assuming that measurement does not include the posts? It’s gonna come down to a fraction of an inch if they fit and my boat is up north. Not sure what to do… sigh

Die Hard still has a group 29 battery manufactured by Clairios available at Sears, K-Mart and Advance Autoparts. Walmart also has group 29 Everstarts, that also appear to be manufactured by Clarios. If you have problems, Walmart is everywhere. If I didn’t have access to the boat I’d be more concerned about getting a battery that I knew fit than the brand.

Batteries Plus

I just bought a couple FVP Group 27 batteries to run my trolling motor. Got them from Menards, for the price if they get me 4 to 5 years like my previous batteries did I will be happy.

Yeah for the price the Interstate 27s at Costco for $87 is gonna be hard to beat.

Does anyone know what the run time difference between a pair of 27s or 29s would be? Big difference or marginal?

I do have the exact measurements of my old batteries, just not sure if the listed height measurements of the new batteries include the posts

Usually the height is measured without the post. I have not had anything larger than 27’s in my boats and have a similar set up to yours and did not have problems.

Interstates are junk these days. Go with the Duracell AGM’s and you’ll get more bang for the buck

Jesse Krook wrote:

Interstates are junk these days. Go with the Duracell AGM’s and you’ll get more bang for the buck

Sorry you had bad luck with them but junk? I will keep hanging on to my 6yr old ones that work great.

Jesse Krook wrote:

Interstates are junk these days. Go with the Duracell AGM’s and you’ll get more bang for the buck

I’m not sure how many years you get out of an AGM Duracell but when I can 4.5 years out of an interstate lead acid battery for 100 bucks, I’m not going to pay three times that amount unless I’m getting three times the lifespan. If you get 13 years out of your AGM batteries then I might be convinced.

I have no doubt AGM are better, but how MUCH better? I have an AGM battery on my 4 wheeler and it’s been great.

However with little kids, my days of fishing 10 hours a day are pretty few and far between. Also might get a new boat within the next few years so I’m thinking the cheaper route probably make sense.

Really, I just need to spot lock for a couple hours a pop and do some light trolling when the wind is right.

Thanks for all the replies

lindyrig79 wrote:

I have no doubt AGM are better, but how MUCH better? I have an AGM battery on my 4 wheeler and it’s been great.

However with little kids, my days of fishing 10 hours a day are pretty few and far between. Also might get a new boat within the next few years so I’m thinking the cheaper route probably make sense.

Really, I just need to spot lock for a couple hours a pop and do some light trolling when the wind is right.

Thanks for all the replies

My resolutes like I said have been great. I was spot locked and did a bunch of trolling on the st croix. We fished 8 hours and my batteries were still doing great. The light on my xi5 still wasn’t yellow

Have good luck with Walmart Everstart marine batteries.

-J.