which trolling motor battery

[Biglouie]

I think I need a new troling motor battery.  My interstate battery for my 12 volt trolling motor is six years old.  I charged up both my boat batteries (cranking and trolling) over the past couple days. I then tested them with a volt meter I have.  The newer battery (cranking)I got last year checks out at 15.4 Volts when fully charged.  The 6 year old trolling motor battery only reads 12.5 volts when fully charged.    Do I replace it with an interstate battery or what about a less expensive one from Fleet Farm or something?  Any recommendations?

[bass5150]

I would replace with the same thing if you got 6 years good service.  I have an everstart on it's 3rd year & I notice it is pooping out a little sooner this year.

[cravenfish]

I'd go to Wal-Mart and get an Everstart, then I would bring it back to them just before it ran out of warranty and exchange it ;D

[senile1]

I have two Wal-Mart Everstarts for my trolling motor, but I've rarely had them last much more than three years, four tops.  If you're Interstate lasted six years I agree with Bass5150 ..... buy another Interstate.

[Ben]

The three best deep cycle batteries you can buy are; US Battery; Trojan; and Deka.  Not saying others aren't good, because you will hear all kinds of claims by people (like you) that are very happy with different brand batteries they've used and gotten very good service out of them.   I'm just saying these three companies use the best products and construction techniques and their plate designs are superior to any others.   Also, if they advertise it to be a 120 Ah battery, that's what it is, they don't inflate their numbers.  

Now I have to question your voltmeter.  No battery should be reading 15.4 volts unless the charger is hooked to it and even then that's high.   A fullly charged battery will normally read 12.65 - 12.8 volts, depending on the brand the the electrolite they used in it, 12.77 is kinda the norm for most deep cycles after setting for 24 hours after charging.  If it's not a sealed battery, you realy should use a good hydrometer and check specific gravity, that will tell the real condition of the battery and if it's fully charging and equalized.

[Biglouie]

Ben you are absolutely right. I just re-checked the battery (the new one) and it read 12.79....without the charger attached this time!!! ;D OOPS! I just tested the old battery again and it read 12.54. The thing is, it seems to lose it's charge so much faster than it use to. Although it really takes abuse with all the river fishing I do in the spring against the current. Running the trolling motor on hi almost steady! I'm thinking that it's time to replace. Six years sounds like a good run compared to what others have told me.

one more thing...can you give me an estimate on the cost of a US Battery brand?

[Ben]

Yep, your old batteries are pretty well used up.  As for the price any one of the others, that's gonna depend who/where you get them.  They can be hard to find because they are not that well known in the boating world so you might have to check with golf cart service places.  I haven't bought one lately and they keep going up, Interstate's have gone up over 25% in the past few months.  They almost go bankrupt and totally under and then start jacking prices up, and up, and up, heck of a way to win business.

http://www.usbattery.com/pages/usbhome.htm

http://www.trojanbattery.com/

http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/

Maybe you can use these sites to find a dealer near you.    The thing you want to watch out for is buying from someone that don't have a fast turnover.  I never buy batteries that have a date code over three months.  You don't know how they have been stored and if they were kept toped off.  Take your voltmeter and check it while on the shelf, if it's below 12.5VDC, leave it on the shelf.

[RLinNH]

I'll second the Trojan batteries. I got one for my new 55lb, 12 volt Minn Kota, and knock on wood, I have fished it all day without an issue. Keeping in mind it is brand new. I went with the Trojan because they are made for use with Trolling Motors. Good luck and let us know what you pick.

[Biglouie]

quick update:  Went with an Interstate because the one I had served me well.  Also, there are interstate battery dealers all over this area so if I have problems, I can get service easily. It has a 30 month warranty I beleive too.