Battery Questions

[Finnz922]

Do you guys use all the same brand/type batteries for you trolling motor setup? 

When 1 battery dies, do you replace all or just the one? 

What brand of batteries do you recommend and what batteries do you recommend staying away from?

Are gel batteries worth it or can I just use the AGM's from Bass Pro or Cabela's?

Boat: Lowe 17' Fish n pro w/ 40hp Evinrude 2 stroke
        Motorguide Wireless 75 / 55" shaft 24 volt setup  

[Jig Man]

There are lots of good batteries on the market.  The only ones I have heard bad about are the ones from Wal-Mart.

 

I think if you research gel cells you won't want them.  Either go for flooded cells or AGMs.  I have been running AGMs for a couple of years now and after checking around Auto Zone offered me the best deal plus a 3 year warranty.  I bought the blue top Optimas and run them all day long on a MG TE 82.

 

When I was running flooded cells and had one go bad, if it were only one year old I'd replace just it.  If it were 2 or more years old I'd replace both of them.

[Fishing Rhino]

If I had a battery that was connected to other batteries go bad, I'd replace the entire set. 

 

While not about batteries, when I was a young fellow I used to do all the work on my car.  The exhaust systems were the worst.  I'd replace a muffler.  Then in a few months the tailpipe would let go, then the pipe into the muffler would let go.  It was nearly impossible to separate the components without damaging the connections of the good part.  I finally got smart and replaced everything behind the pipe that bolted to the exhaust manifold when one part rusted or rotted out. 

 

Batteries are similar.  Replace one of a set, and when another starts to go bad it can damage the one you installed a month or a year earlier.  Go to a battery store like Interstate.  I've had nothing but good experiences dealing with them.  They won't try to sell you something you don't need, and they will test your batteries at no charge.  And their prices are competitive with discount parts stores.  I've found their prices to be twenty dollars or so less than BPS for the same battery in the 120 to 140 dollar price range.

 

The actual condition of a battery can only be determined by a series of tests.  Voltage check, specific gravity of the electrolyte in each cell, and a load test will tell if it's time to replace the battery.

[slonezp]

If I had a battery that was connected to other batteries go bad, I'd replace the entire set. 

 

While not about batteries, when I was a young fellow I used to do all the work on my car.  The exhaust systems were the worst.  I'd replace a muffler.  Then in a few months the tailpipe would let go, then the pipe into the muffler would let go.  It was nearly impossible to separate the components without damaging the connections of the good part.  I finally got smart and replaced everything behind the pipe that bolted to the exhaust manifold when one part rusted or rotted out. 

 

Batteries are similar.  Replace one of a set, and when another starts to go bad it can damage the one you installed a month or a year earlier.  Go to a battery store like Interstate.  I've had nothing but good experiences dealing with them.  They won't try to sell you something you don't need, and they will test your batteries at no charge.  And their prices are competitive with discount parts stores.  I've found their prices to be twenty dollars or so less than BPS for the same battery in the 120 to 140 dollar price range.

 

The actual condition of a battery can only be determined by a series of tests.  Voltage check, specific gravity of the electrolyte in each cell, and a load test will tell if it's time to replace the battery.

They had cars back then?

 

Ask yourself, What caused the battery to go bad. Was it old age, defect, battery charger? Then decide if you're going to replace one or both. If the batteries are over 3 years old and 1 went bad, I would probably  just replace both. As far as avoiding any particular brand, I don't think there are any brands with inherent problems. Some are better than others and be prepared to pay more for better batteries. Sears Platinum has 3 year free replacement but it ain't cheap. Interstate and Cabelas  are the batteries I have experience with. Aside from a bad charger bank smoking a battery, I have never had an issue with batteries. Make sure you fully charge them after each use and top them off befor going out again. Depending on your fishing habits, you should be able to get 4+ years life. 

[Fishing Rhino]

They had cars back then?

 

Ask yourself, What caused the battery to go bad. Was it old age, defect, battery charger? Then decide if you're going to replace one or both. If the batteries are over 3 years old and 1 went bad, I would probably  just replace both. As far as avoiding any particular brand, I don't think there are any brands with inherent problems. Some are better than others and be prepared to pay more for better batteries. Sears Platinum has 3 year free replacement but it ain't cheap. Interstate and Cabelas  are the batteries I have experience with. Aside from a bad charger bank smoking a battery, I have never had an issue with batteries. Make sure you fully charge them after each use and top them off befor going out again. Depending on your fishing habits, you should be able to get 4+ years life. 

 

Yes they did.  The biggest problem was finding a cobbler with the latest sole technology.  I have very tender feet.