Deep Cycle Battery Recommendations

[OCdockskipper]

The last deep cycle battery I bought for it was a Bass Pro Shops branded model.  I bought it 4 1/2 years ago, have used it for a full days fishing about 250 times and have noticed that it is now taking longer to charge and is running down faster than it should, so I am going to replace it.  I looked at the current BPS branded batteries and nearly all of them had negative reviews, so I thought I would ask for suggestions based on all y'all's experience.

 

For reference, I have a 46lb thrust Motorguide Trolling motor I run on my 10 ft Pond Prowler and I have a BPS digital on-board charger that the battery is hooked up to 24/7 when not in use (the charger has a maintenance mode).  Up until about 6 months ago, the charger would reach the "Go Fish" stage and stay there after about 24 hrs of charging, now it takes over about a week to reach that point.

[LonnieP]

I have an Everstart Maxx group 29 on my Pond Prowler. You can't beat them for the price.($100) . Plus if you have a warranty problem Walmarts are everywhere. I've had mine close to 4 years and it's still holding a charge.

[TnRiver46]

Sounds like the one you had was a champ! Someone once told me all the batteries are either Chicago or Pittsburgh and company x just slaps a sticker on them. Walmart batteries always seem to last way longer than expected. I think the shipping process (banging around)messes us the lead plates on the duds, not the manufacturer

[OCdockskipper]

Thanks for the info. 

 

The Walmart near me has a couple of deep cycle ones in stock, but not the Maxx.  I'm tempted to grab the $74 model with the 2 year warranty they do have in stock, worse case scenario is it lasts 1/2 as long at 1/2 the price.

[Chris at Tech]

I seem to have the best luck with batteries from Batteries Plus

[slonezp]

NAPA which are rebranded Deka's

[Fishes in trees]

If you're buying batteries for a 10" Pond Prowler - buy 2 and wire them parallel.  Then it will be VERY unlikely that you'll run short of power - even if you do battery eating styles of fishing like holding on a windy point all morning throwing jerk baits.  Get a charger that will handle charging both batteries at once.

[S Hovanec]

Duracell AGMs from Sam's are the cats behind.  I have 3 in my boat.

[OCdockskipper]

1 hour ago, Fishes in trees said:

If you're buying batteries for a 10" Pond Prowler - buy 2 and wire them parallel.  Then it will be VERY unlikely that you'll run short of power - even if you do battery eating styles of fishing like holding on a windy point all morning throwing jerk baits.  Get a charger that will handle charging both batteries at once.

I don't have any issues running out of power by the end of the day.  The single battery still has enough juice hours into a fishing day, it is just less than has been for the previous 4 years.  It looks like my current battery is on the downward side of its life and I just want to stay ahead & replace it before it does give out while fishing.

 

Thanks for the suggestion though.

[WRB]

Wet cells vs AGM's is all about maintence free and no corrosion issues. I dought you are using a onboard charger and adding distilled water isn't a big maintence issue. 

Wallmart marine deep cycle battery may be all you need.

I would invest in a Harbor Freight Chicago battery load tester to check charge under load. Your charger could be the problem!

[OCdockskipper]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

... I dought you are using a onboard charger...

Actually I am.  I installed a BPS XP2 onboard charger (https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-xps-it2-5-onboard-battery-charger) when I bought the battery and have been using it religiously ever since.  The boat stays docked & covered in the water year round, so the onboard charge just makes life easier.

 

It is to the right of the garmin depthfinder, just behind the trolling motor.  It is halfway below the raised deck, the upper portion of it exposed for circulation.  The second picture shows its location prior to me building the casting deck.

[Johnbt]

"Pittsburgh" = East Penn/Deka

 

I thought I'd toss this in here for the heck of it. Their 500+ acre manufacturing facility.

 

 

I have two of their Duracell Ultras from Batteries+ and so far they're great - every bit as good as the Everstart Maxx batteries were when they were new. You get 10% off if you buy online and pick up at the store. 

I used 3 of the $99 Walmart Maxx batteries for 5 years before I replaced them with the Dekas. Otoh, 2 of 3 still hold a 90% charge. One of them is in the back of the boat to power the fishfinder, lights, bilge pump and 35# trolling  motor that's mostly used to back up to retrieve snagged lures. The other one is sitting in the garage as a spare since I had 2 old car batteries to trade in for the core charge. They gave me the deep cycle price on trade in for some reason. The Dekas power a MK Maxxum 70 on my carpeted 1648 Grizzly. 

[Log Catcher]

I have been using Interstate batteries. The trolling motor battery is a group 27 size since I don't have room for anything bigger. This makes the fifth year for these batteries and they are still doing okay.

[WRB]

What slowly kills lead acid batteries is oxides from plates filling the bottom case until the cell dies. 4 years is a long life for deep cycle marine wet cell lead acid battery.

AGM's use lead glass mate in lieu of lead plates the electrolyte is sealed instead of using distilled water that evaporates.

If you go with a AGM battery make sure the charger is compatible.

Very clean boat and looks well cared for. I envy you being able to walk out to the boat and go fishing.

Tom

[OCdockskipper]

31 minutes ago, WRB said:

...Very clean boat and looks well cared for. I envy you being able to walk out to the boat and go fishing.

Tom

Thank you for the compliment. 

 

If you ever find yourself in South Orange County & have the itch to go fishing, give me a heads up.  I'd love to see how you fish this lake ?