whats everyones pick on deep cycle batteries

[ffmedic147]

looking to buy my second set of deep cycle bateries on my boat. i have stock interstates. What have you all found to be the best batteries? Any cheap places to get them.

oh and yes they will be used alot!

[JohnnyBigger]

Optima Blue Top but sorry all are about 150-200 bucks

[Jig Man]

More than brand look for reserve amps.  Get 27 series with 200 reserve amps any where but Wally World.

[powerman970]

I have not had good luck with overpriced Optimas.  I have always found Interstate Batteries to last longer but recently bought a BPS deep cycle and have had no complaints with it either.  Don't waste your money on Optima in my opinion.

[simplejoe]

I use the ones at Advance Auto, like jig man said look at the reserved amps.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I've got optima's in mine but I havent used them enough to know if they are worth it. 

I agree with Jigman.

[BassnMan Mike]

I've got 4 Optimas in mine. Would I buy them again? Yes, in a heart beat. IMHO, well worth the cost.

[Wayne P.]

Wally World Everstarts, I get about 5 years out of them. They have a good return policy if one fails early and they are located conveniently to a lot of places.

[Way2slow]

If you want 3/4 of a battery at twice to three times the price, get an Optima. 160minutes reserve from a Optima compared to 200 - 225 from many flooded cell batteries, even the $70 walley world ones, I think I would stick with a flooded cell. Then, you figure the special charger requirements for the AGM's, $150 or more for one that's going to get the max life from the AGM Optima, plus the Optima is one of the worst of the AGM's (they just do a fantastic job markiting them), I will pass.

Deka makes a very good flooded cell battery and I would take their AGM any day over the Optima.

If you want max run time and a good battery, Trojan 225's are very hard to beat.

The big WallyWorld batties give you a lot of capacity for a reasonable price, they just have an average life of about two years or so.

Nothing really wrong with the Interstate, DieHard or any of the other name brands, many have gotten very good service from them

[Team_Dougherty]

ACDelco

[Wayne P.]

If you want to know who really makes the battery you recommend, do an internet search for battery mfg.  You may be surprised.

[Gale1980]

a little secret interstate makes optima i have had great sucess with interstate also sears brand forgot the name....

[Way2slow]

It's pretty well know there are few manufactors in the US, I think it's down to four now and yes, Johnson Batteries are the mega manufactor.  Please, however, don't use this as a basis for saying all the batteries they make are the same.  The are way too many variables they can use to produce batteries that affect the quality.

I think you will find East Penn Manufactoring are well known for making one of the best batteries in the country and are one of the major producers of OEM batteries for an awfull lot of companies.  They also make batteries for some of the auto parts stores, Bass Pro Shops and the list goes on. 

Trojan is still the standard for industrial quality batteries and the go to battery for long, hard use and max run time.

[Radical Conservative]

Wally World Everstarts, I get about 5 years out of them. They have a good return policy if one fails early and they are located conveniently to a lot of places.

+1

[Jig Man]

You better check out Wally World before you buy batteries from them.  In lots of places they are selling their deep cycles with NO WARRANTYbecause so many people were bringing them back it became a losing proposition.

[Wayne P.]

Jig Man, I sent Walmart Corp an e-mail about your statement and I visited my local Walmart with the warrenty question. The dept manager and store manager were puzzled with that question. It had no basis as far as they were concerned. I haven't received a Corp response yet other than to talk to the local store--I told them I already had and wanted an official Corp. response. I'll post their response when/if I get one.

[Jig Man]

All I am going by is what I read on the Texas Fishing Forum.  Those guys were all about Wally World until a month or so ago and now they are howling that there is no warranty.

Personally, I have never owned one.   I called all around here and no store had any deep cycles in stock.

[davisg]

Are there any deep cycle batteries that are same size as the optima, height wise?  Reason is I have to place it under my front deck and space is limited height wise.  Will buy an optima, but if there is another battery that is comparable in performance for less money and same height as the optima it would help.

[Way2slow]

You have to be careful placing flooded cell batteries in confined areas where the there is very little room above the battery, especially if you're charging it in the boat.  They vent out the caps and the fumes can corrode most materials rather quickly.   

In a very confined area, you will be better off with an AGM.  I would look at a stacked cell AGM over the spiral wound Optima though.  Deka's are a better battery, and generally cheaper than than the Optima. 

Deka also makes several other brands (BPS for one)but usually you can get the Deka brand a little cheaper than their other brand names.

[Glenn]

I've used Delco Voyagers with tremendous results.  My last set (of 4) lasted 6 years. I only replaced them because I wasn't sure how far I could push them.  And I use them hard, too, year round.

I've also heard great things about Trojans.  But they cost more than the Delcos, so I've never tried them.

I have heard more negative things about (n)everstarts than good.  I'd steer clear of them if I were you.  But that's just me.

[George Welcome]

I've used Delco Voyagers with tremendous results. My last set (of 4) lasted 6 years. I only replaced them because I wasn't sure how far I could push them. And I use them hard, too, year round.

I've also heard great things about Trojans. But they cost more than the Delcos, so I've never tried them.

I have heard more negative things about (n)everstarts than good. I'd steer clear of them if I were you. But that's just me.

Best all around is definitely Voyager!

According to the Wal-Mart up the street, Johnson Controls is no longer offering warranty coverage on their battery.

[Wayne P.]

Exide makes all the styles of Everstart batteries that my local Walmart carries, not Johnson Controls.

I think Johnson Controls is the mfg. of Optima batteries.

[Sam]

ffmedic47,

When you want jewelry, you go to a jewelry store.

When you want appliances you go to an appliance store.

When you want boat batteries you go to a battery store, boat dealer or tackle shop employing people who know what they are talking about.

I got my three new batteries last year from Castaways after discussing what to get with members of my bass club and Wayne at Castaways.

I went to the local battery store and discussed the blue Optimas, which were a little too expensive.

I know we can get fishing and boating products at Wal-Mart, but for critical items consider going to those who specialize in the product. 

I am sure you can find places by SML, Roanoke or Lynchburg that specialize in watercraft batteries.

[Sam]

Follow up.

You need a good battery charger on your boat.

I replaced the one that came with my boat with the ProTournament Series 300 and so far the charger has keep the batters charged and ready to go.

With all the money we put into our batteries we need to treat they right, like girlfriends and wives.  ;D  ;D  ;D

[burleytog]

Every Everstart battery I have ever owned was manufactured by Exide.

But I do live about 40 miles from an Exide plant.

As for Everstart quality, I've owned seven Everstart deep cycles over the last six years.  Only one has been returned due to a warranty issue.  Boat, camper, dozer, tractors.