Non-Lithium Battery for TM Recommendations

[gunsinger]

I'd love to buy lithium but the cost it prohibitive to me.  Plus, I don't want to buy a separate charging system for it.  So I'm stuck with a regular deep cycle battery.  Apparently it's time to replace my existing battery as it's draining much quicker than it used to.  Other than knowing its a 12v regular battery that drives my 45lb thrust MotorGuide TM, I can't tell you much about it but current AH may not be relevant.  My question is this, "Is there a brand of battery that really stands out?"  If I know which brand to start with, I can figure out the necessary AH and battery dimensions.

 

Any brands to stay with?  Any brands to avoid?

[Bankc]

First off, what's your budget?  That'll determine whether you're in the market for a wet cell, SLA, Gel cell, or AGM.  

As for size, you should probably figure out what size battery you have now.  If the sticker is worn off, measure its dimensions.  That will determine your AH rating.  Typically, you want the most AH you can fit.  So if you have room for a 100AH battery, that's what you want to go with.  

 

From there, depending on how you answer those questions, we may be able to recommend a brand.  For some options, however, brand won't matter.  Like if you need a wet cell, group 29 battery, there's only one manufacturer of those, but they sell them under a bunch of different brand names.  So you buy one that's the cheapest, since you're getting the same battery no matter who's sticker is on the box.  In other situations, brand will make a difference.  

[Unk]

Don't know about brands to avoid .....  I would suggest you consider making Trojan and VMax two of the brands you consider . Regardless of which brand you decide to go with ,  I'm sure you know that a good smart charger is a must and that - the more you discharge the battery before recharging - the fewer charging cycles you'll get . I don't guess you have room to hook a couple of batteries in parallel?

[J Francho]

My last two boats had Optimas and they worked flawlessly.

[gunsinger]

39 minutes ago, Unk said:

Don't know about brands to avoid .....  I would suggest you consider making Trojan and VMax two of the brands you consider . Regardless of which brand you decide to go with ,  I'm sure you know that a good smart charger is a must and that - the more you discharge the battery before recharging - the fewer charging cycles you'll get . I don't guess you have room to hook a couple of batteries in parallel?

Thanks for the question.  It's possible and I've considered that. Can I just determine the current battery type and match that or would I have to buy two new matching batteries?  I've got a two bank on-board charger.  I assume I'd have to replace that with a 3-bank?

45 minutes ago, Bankc said:

First off, what's your budget?  That'll determine whether you're in the market for a wet cell, SLA, Gel cell, or AGM.  

As for size, you should probably figure out what size battery you have now.  If the sticker is worn off, measure its dimensions.  That will determine your AH rating.  Typically, you want the most AH you can fit.  So if you have room for a 100AH battery, that's what you want to go with.  

 

From there, depending on how you answer those questions, we may be able to recommend a brand.  For some options, however, brand won't matter.  Like if you need a wet cell, group 29 battery, there's only one manufacturer of those, but they sell them under a bunch of different brand names.  So you buy one that's the cheapest, since you're getting the same battery no matter who's sticker is on the box.  In other situations, brand will make a difference.  

@Bankc  The budget is under $300, the further under the better, recognizing i don't want a POS battery that's going to strand me or reach the end of its usable life prematurely.  I will get some more data off the existing battery tonight.  I was thinking about a 100AH battery and I think i should have room for it.  I'll check on that as well.  Thanks.

[Tennessee Boy]

Maybe I’m just lucky but in 30 years as a boat owner I’ve never owned a bad battery.  At the end of the day, I’m always exhausted before my TM batteries are.  In the past I’ve always bought the best battery I could get at Sam’s Club or Walmart.   My current boat came with Interstate batteries and they’ve lasted 4 years and are still going strong.  
 

 

[Choporoz]

15 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Maybe I’m just lucky but in 30 years as a boat owner I’ve never owned a bad battery.  

I'll bet it is less about luck and more about how you care for and maintain your batteries. 

[Jig Man]

Look at reserve capacity.  Sam’s club has had some good agms at good prices.  

[padlin]

FWIW... I've used Interstate and Walmart's Everstart. I'd avoid the Everstarts, not that they didn't do what they were supposed to, just that I needed to add water much more often then the Interstates. Got a few year longer out of the Interstates too.

 

These were in my RV's.

[Mtnwkr]

11 minutes ago, padlin said:

FWIW... I've used Interstate and Walmart's Everstart. I'd avoid the Everstarts, not that they didn't do what they were supposed to, just that I needed to add water much more often then the Interstates. Got a few year longer out of the Interstates too.

 

These were in my RV's.

Interesting since they're both the same battery made by the same company with a different logo on the sticker. 

 

"The actual origin of the manufacturing process for Interstate Batteries is vague. The automotive, truck, and marine batteries are made by Johnson Controls which makes 65% of the automotive, truck, and marine batteries sold in the USA. Johnson Controls also makes the batteries for Wal-Mart and AutoZone."

[AmmoGuy]

Just buy a Wally battery, and maintain it properly. Plug it up to a maintainer immediately when you return from the water, and leave it plugged up 24/7. I've used the 27 & 29 Everstart Deep Cycles a lot, and get many years out of them. I think the one in my boat is over 4 years old. Works like new. 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Lead-Acid-Marine-RV-Deep-Cycle-Battery-Group-Size-29DC-12V-845-MCA/20531543?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=707&adid=22222222420450916370&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=547331341345&wl4=aud-1219917706781:pla-293946777986&wl5=9013775&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=20531543&wl13=707&veh=sem_LIA&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZeUBhDyARIsAOzAqQKECWfU2XFRFIDellLTsEbRkpInTTbExe6x7qaPIAIsxGTRss4w7NcaAqdHEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Unk]

3 hours ago, gunsinger said:

Thanks for the question.  It's possible and I've considered that. Can I just determine the current battery type and match that or would I have to buy two new matching batteries?  I've got a two bank on-board charger.  I assume I'd have to replace that with a 3-bank?

The two batteries should be identical and both new ( don't use your older failing battery with a new one ) . You can do your searching to decide size , amp hours , etc and decide which brand you want but the two batteries should be identical . As long as the two new batteries are hooked up in parallel , you can use your two bank charger - just look up instruction for hooking up your charger model . I believe having the two batteries hooked in parallel will reduce the percentage of daily discharge and , if you recharge them with your smart charger after each use , the useful life will be much longer .

[gunsinger]

4 hours ago, Bankc said:

First off, what's your budget?  That'll determine whether you're in the market for a wet cell, SLA, Gel cell, or AGM.  

As for size, you should probably figure out what size battery you have now.  If the sticker is worn off, measure its dimensions.  That will determine your AH rating.  Typically, you want the most AH you can fit.  So if you have room for a 100AH battery, that's what you want to go with.  

 

From there, depending on how you answer those questions, we may be able to recommend a brand.  For some options, however, brand won't matter.  Like if you need a wet cell, group 29 battery, there's only one manufacturer of those, but they sell them under a bunch of different brand names.  So you buy one that's the cheapest, since you're getting the same battery no matter who's sticker is on the box.  In other situations, brand will make a difference.  

The current battery has a label on it that reads 27DCM. So, I’m guessing that makes it a Group 27? The side label says it’s a “Country Creek RV” (which is where I bought it and is now out of the boat business) made by A-1 Batteries. It measures roughly 12”x7”x7” (hard to be precise without taking it out). It’s not sealed. It sits in a plastic tray that is slightly bigger. I would guess that tray can be replaced if I went with a bigger, which there is room for. I believe I could put a second deep cycle of a similar size in the compartment. 

[cyclops2]

If you get a correctly built battery ?  They will last a long time..................

 

  IF    IF

 

  You keep the water level ALWAYS above the lead plate tops.    Florida use & heat can ruin batteries much faster than in Maine.  ..............Some batteries have very low  CORRECT water levels. Call the battery company for the correct heights.  Low & high.   The charger MUST  MUST have a TRICKLE current that is correct to PREVENT sulfation of the lead.

Get one with EASY .. BIG  cell covers.  Some are hidden under a big plastic label.  TERRIBLE to check & add any water.   A plastic gauge can be used to test the TRUE CHARGE in each cell. Should show all cells are the same  when new & each watering & charge.

 

Always wear a face shield  when rewatering the cells. Batteries do explode for no reason. We had a dead battery explode with lots of Baking Soda in the cells. The posts hit the ceiling.  I FEAR doing rewatering of wet cells............  Piece of cake to get many years out of a big enough battery.        ?

[gunsinger]

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I'll bet it is less about luck and more about how you care for and maintain your batteries. 

I’ve always charged my batteries upon return and leave the charger on as it is supposed to maintain them.  

[LonnieP]

Everstart Maxx from Walmart works well for me. Got 5 years out of the last one and never even checked the water in it.

[WRB]

Trolling motor only battery? You mentioned a 2 bank onboard charger so you may have a cranking battery?

For trolling motors you want a marine deep cycle with the proper terminals and stainless steel terminal hardware.

A brand with warranty is good to have plus a local retailer if any issues come up.

AGM’s are the way to go, no maintenance and any good brand should give a minimum of 5 years use.

100 amp hours is usually a group 29 size, 120 AH gr 31.

Measurement Depth (height) Width and length I’d the battery.

The advantage of discount store like Costco, Walmart is they are located everywhere, the down side they carry premium brands like North Star or Odyssey.

I had VMax Tank MR137-120’s for my TM that were over 10 years old and the person who bought my boat is still running them.

Tom

 

[gunsinger]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Trolling motor only battery? You mentioned a 2 bank onboard charger so you may have a cranking battery?

For trolling motors you want a marine deep cycle with the proper terminals and stainless steel terminal hardware.

A brand with warranty is good to have plus a local retailer if any issues come up.

AGM’s are the way to go, no maintenance and any good brand should give a minimum of 5 years use.

100 amp hours is usually a group 29 size, 120 AH gr 31.

Measurement Depth (height) Width and length I’d the battery.

The advantage of discount store like Costco, Walmart is they are located everywhere, the down side they carry premium brands like North Star or Odyssey.

I had VMax Tank MR137-120’s for my TM that were over 10 years old and the person who bought my boat is still running them.

Tom

 

@WRB Yes, I have a separate cranking/electronics battery. 

[WRB]

You want a marine deep cycle AGM, not a dual purpose high reserve amp battery.

Onboard should be 10 amp per bank with auto shut off.

Tom

[gunsinger]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

You want a marine deep cycle AGM, not a dual purpose high reserve amp battery.

Onboard should be 10 amp per bank with auto shut off.

Tom

Thanks Tom.  My onboard is currently a ProMar1 10amp 2 bank with 5 amps per bank.  It's supposed to stay plugged in to charge, then maintain, the batteries and charges my current TM and cranking batteries overnight.  I rarely go back out the same day so that charge rate works for me.  I've heard that the AGM's charge faster so, right now, I'm looking at getting two group 27 (92ah) AGM's to rig in parallel for the TM.  I'll use the existing 2-bank charger on those.  I'll add a single bank ProMar1 5 amp to charge the cranking battery.  I've got a buddy that owns a Batteries, Bulbs and More store and he's supposed to get me some good pricing.

[WRB]

You need a 10 to 15 amp per bank for AGM batteries, 5 amps will maintain a charge but the battery must be fully charged 1st to prevent surface charge only and can kill a deep cycle battery in time. Genius 2 onboard battery chargers are compact water proof and 10 amps per bank.

Tom

[Jig Man]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

You want a marine deep cycle AGM, not a dual purpose high reserve amp battery.

Onboard should be 10 amp per bank with auto shut off.

Tom

I agree with a 10 amp or larger charger.  As a point of interest Tom, what brand of AGM is deep cycle only?  I’ve had 4 different brands and all of them are dual purpose.

[WRB]

Optima ( Interstate) Blue top offers dual purpose AGM’s for example, 31 is deep cycle, 34M is dual purpose.

Tom

[gunsinger]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

You need a 10 to 15 amp per bank for AGM batteries, 5 amps will maintain a charge but the battery must be fully charged 1st to prevent surface charge only and can kill a deep cycle battery in time. Genius 2 onboard battery chargers are compact water proof and 10 amps per bank.

Tom

Good to know....

[Bdnoble84]

22 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Maybe I’m just lucky but in 30 years as a boat owner I’ve never owned a bad battery.  At the end of the day, I’m always exhausted before my TM batteries are.  In the past I’ve always bought the best battery I could get at Sam’s Club or Walmart.   My current boat came with Interstate batteries and they’ve lasted 4 years and are still going strong.  
 

 

Never owned a bad battery persay, just undersized battery (24 size). Left me stranded 2 times. In fairness i was in the water 8+hrs both times and also running a amall depth finder. Upgraded to a size 27 and i get alot more juice.