Battery life

[slonezp]

How long do cranking batteries usually last? Bought my boat new in 2005 and replaced the trolling motor batteries last season. I normally fish 15 -20 weekends a year. Should I bother installing the old one for another season or just pick up a new one? I know batteries can be tested but I'm not sure if they can tell how much life is left in them.

[Jig Man]

I try to always maintain my batteries in top shape.  I replace my trolling motor batteries every 4 years and my cranking battery every 5.

[Hot Rod]

I fish an average of 3X/week from April thru October with a few trips in March and Nov too.

Crankin' bat last me about 3 "seasons" while trolling bats last me 2 "seasons".

I take the best care of them I can, but I run them hard and often.

The battery test should tell you if you need to replace it or not, but after 5 years I'd say its time.

[Grey Wolf]

Time to get a new one.

[RoLo]

Cranking batteries today barely do any cranking; just touch the key and the motor's running.

I probably replace my boat more often than I replace my cranking battery ;D

Given the best care, the mean lifespan of a deep-cycle battery is slated as 3-1/2 years.

But their longevity can be gravely shortened in three ways:

1) By consistent deep discharging (below 60% charge)

2) By not Recharging them promptly after use

3) By using a bulk charger instead of a 3-stage charger

Roger

[FD.]

I agree with Hot Rod.  2 years on trolling and maybe 3 on a cranking battery.

[Way2slow]

I buy the biggest, baddest cranking batteries I can get where it needs to fit and never one over three years, not in my boats or vehicles, even the five, six or seven year batteries. They are just too dang cheap compared to the problems one can cause. TM batteries, I run until they start loosing capacity, either they won't charge to full specific gravity they should, or they no longer reach full capacity on my Megatronix Battery tester. That's usually about four to five years good, name brand deep cycle batteries.

My neighbor loves me though, he has a land scapeing business and I give him my old batteries. Half the vehicles he has is running my old. I'm still running a battery in my welder that was three years old when I took it out of wifes car in 2004 and it's still cranking the welder, but I won't use them in something I have to depend on.

Oh, and trust me, my batteries are WELL maintained.  The secret to long battery life is proper maintenance and a GOOD, high quality charger that is micro processor controlled and goes into the proper float voltage for the type battery you have.  Those cheap, Automatic chargers just send a battery to an early death because they can never fully charge a battery.