How many years should a starting or trolling battery last?

[desmobob]

I bought my boat new in 2014.  The Interstate brand starting (actually labeled as deep cycle/starting) and trolling motor batteries were still working fine last season.  They will be six seasons old this year and I'm starting to worry about when they might fail.

 

I keep them charged at all times and keep them on a maintainer in the long off-season here in upstate NY.

 

I don't think I've ever had a car or truck battery last six years.  Should I consider replacing them this season, or will they give me some kind of a sign when they're at the end of their life span?

[Jig Man]

Six years is a good run.  The trolling motor batteries will usually drop in power and not last all day when they are near the end.  Your cranker may get weak and make your motor hard to start or it might just fail.

[gim]

I’m in a similar situation desmobob. Mine are still original when I bought my boat in April 2016. I trickle charge them as needed, keep them full or power when not in use, etc. I anticipate having to replace them either this season or next and frankly I may just do it before I need to. They state they’ll last 3-5 years so if you get anything more consider it house money.

[desmobob]

I'm curious because my boating season is generally about six or seven months versus the 12 months I'm using the battery in my car.  I guess I'm wondering if the battery should last five or six years of age, or five or six years of use, which would work out to about 10 years at seven months use per year...  that would be nice!

 

 

[kjfishman]

My start battery was 9 years old just replaced last week. Buy an inexpensive hydrometer and check each cell.

[moguy1973]

Typically they should last about three years if they are a lead acid battery. AGM and gel batteries have a longer life of 6 or more years. 

[Goldstar225]

I don't trust batteries past the four year mark.  Doesn't matter if it's car, truck or boat I replace them at the four year mark.  While some batteries will warn you that they are getting weak, I've seen too many die a sudden death that resists a jump start.  Considering that a lead acid cost +/- $100.00 that's $25.00 a year for a four year replacement cycle vs $20.00 a year for five year cycles.  Saving $20.00 to get an extra year out of a battery isn't worth the risk of being stranded to me.

[OnthePotomac]

I also got 9 years out of my Interstate wet cell starting battery for my 60 Yammie.  I did pull it from the boat each winter and kept it on a battery tender with a desulfinator.  I also kept the wet cells at the right level.  Even the battery sales was surprised when I took it in for a new one.  He commented that it was really unusual for one to last that long.  

[TnRiver46]

Starting battery: at least 5 sometimes closer to 10

 

Trolling: 4-6

[HenryPF]

For those of you responding to how long your trolling batteries last - please tell me if they are wet or agm batteries.

 

Need to get new batteries for a trolling motor but do not see why AGM are twice as expensive as wet cells other than the maintenance aspect of it. (could care less I could mount it on the side)

 

As for durability of AGM - normally the water I fish is like glass and no chop at all.

[A-Jay]

36 minutes ago, HenryPF said:

For those of you responding to how long your trolling batteries last - please tell me if they are wet or agm batteries.

 

Need to get new batteries for a trolling motor but do not see why AGM are twice as expensive as wet cells other than the maintenance aspect of it. (could care less I could mount it on the side)

 

As for durability of AGM - normally the water I fish is like glass and no chop at all.

Depending on where your batteries are located, access for the required maintenance of wet cell batteries can be problematic. 

Here's some additional info regarding AGM's vs Flooded - the cost consideration and whether it's 'worth it' may be a personal choice.

 

This design difference makes the AGM far more efficient.

It has a cycle life that is nearly two times as long, a recharge time cut in half, and can absorb twenty times the vibration resistance. Furthermore, this makes AGM batteries spill-proof. 

  

There are four, distinct, technical advantages of an absorbed glass-mat battery versus a flooded    lead-acid battery:

1. AGM batteries do not show terminal corrosion.

   Without terminal corrosion the battery needs less lifetime maintenance.

2. The AGM battery neither produces nor expels hydrogen or oxygen gases like the flooded lead-acid battery does. Without these external gasses escaping during charging and discharging, electrolyte and water loss is avoided.

3. When comparing batteries in the same group size, AGM’s permit additional plate surface area.

    An increased plate surface area directly correlates to higher ratings in cold cranking amps (CCA) and reserve capacity (RC).

4. An AGM battery has a lower internal resistance than a flooded lead-acid battery.

    This allows faster recharge and a slower discharge.

 

  In practical use, this difference has a few key applicable advantages.

1. Cold Weather: the increased CCA of AGM’s allows automotive batteries to start easier in cold weather. This means you have a better chance of batteries starting- avoiding being stranded due to a battery that is either dead or won’t turn the engine over in colder temperatures.

2. Marine applications: deep-cycle AGM’s excel for marine applications.

    AGM’s allow a slower battery drain and faster charge- components important for             batteries used for trolling motors and on-board electronics.

3. Extreme Applications: AGM’s are better than flooded for applications with lots of stopping and starting. 

4. The incredible vibration resistance of AGM’s makes them the ideal choice for vehicles that operate in bumpier conditions.

 

A-Jay

[TnRiver46]

@HenryPF, my answer was for

wet batteries usually $79.99

[WRB]

AGM's maintained properly can last over 10 years, wet cell have much shorter life time.

Get yourself a battery load tester at Harbor Freight about $30 to test the battery under load.

Tom