Battery Selection Help Please

[PawleysDude]

Since when does buying a battery require an electrical engineering degree? I'm thoroughly confused and would appreciate suggestions. Here's the situation...

 

I've got an old 16' Tracker aluminum bass boat docked on a small lake. It's powered by an equally old 12V trolling motor rated for 40# thrust. It came with two Group 24 marine starting batteries, wired in parallel. Essentially, the only other power usage is a small depth finder and an automatic bilge pump that runs briefly when we get rain. A typical trip is 3-5 hours long. The volt meter on the boat usually reads 12.7V at full charge, and about 12.3-12.4V after fishing several hours, if that gives any indication of typical battery consumption. I almost always charge them immediately after fishing with an onboard 5amp 1-bank charger.

 

The problem is these wet-cell batteries are located in a very difficult location to access. To even check the liquid level in the batteries requires disconnecting all the wiring and removing them from the boat, a tough process for a tired old man with a bad back. I am resigned to the fact they need to be replaced with sealed batteries, but I am at a loss for what to buy. I plan to stay with 2 batteries in parallel. I also hope to replace the trolling motor within the next year, but will stay with a 12V 45-55# range. My priorities are:
1) Sealed and maintenance-free
2) Cost - a big priority
3) Ideally a Group 24 size battery for cost reasons but also because this size trays are already installed and a PIA to replace.

 

I’m leaning toward this battery - https://tinyurl.com/yc8e49tu - but I know nothing about AGM batteries. It’s called a starting battery, but claims to also function well as both starting and deep-cycle. I would appreciate any feedback about this type of battery pro & cons, or other suggestions. Thanks for your help.

[gim]

Are you using the same two batteries in parallel for everything?  Bow mount, pumps, lights, graph, and as a starting battery for the outboard?

 

If so, I would recommend a dedicated cranking battery instead that isn't drained during use with the bow mount.

 

As for the AGM battery, its maintenance free so you would not need to check the water levels of the battery.  You can use them in any orientation except upside down.

[PawleysDude]

3 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Are you using the same two batteries in parallel for everything?  Bow mount, pumps, lights, graph, and as a starting battery for the outboard?…

Thanks for the feedback. I’m on a small lake. There’s no outboard. It’s wired for lights but never turn them on, and I rarely use the live well unless an occasional day fishing for crappie. The batteries are strictly for the trolling motor, a small 5” Lowrance and the bilge pump.

[Jig Man]

If you have an Auto Zone near you can probably get a dual purpose agm 24 series for less money.  You will get better and longer run time with the highest rc that you can find.

[PawleysDude]

4 hours ago, Jig Man said:

If you have an Auto Zone near you can probably get a dual purpose agm 24 series for less money.  You will get better and longer run time with the highest rc that you can find.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

[WRB]

The Keep in mind there are only a few (2) battery mrf’s is the USA. All the private labeled batteries are in these 2 companies, East Penn and Northstar, If you buy at Walmart or anywhere it’s the battery. So check out Walmart or Costco as they are everywhere with very good customer service. No LiFeP04 is domestic.

You don’t need a dual purpose marine battery, only a deep cycle marine AMG. Measure your battery trays, most fit group 27’s. My suggestion is 2 group 27’s wire as parallel until you get a new TM. Most TM’s today are 24V, then your wire the TM batteries in series and get a 3rd Lithium Lifep04 35 ah battery to operate the 12V electronics, lights etc.

Iconic 50AH LiFeP04 will run your 12V TM and everything else 12V and weighs only 14 lbs, higher price but only 1 small battery with great warranty.

 

Tom

PS, you will need a new 10A battery charger.

[TnRiver46]

No degree required, walk into store and walk out with battery, my problem is they always want a Benjamin or more in exchange……..

 

seems like we have several members very familiar with AGM that could inform you about them. But with a bass tracker you shouldn’t need anything special, a regular ol lead battery will push a boat like that around all day for 5-6 years 

[PawleysDude]

14 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

... you shouldn’t need anything special, a regular ol lead battery will push a boat like that around all day for 5-6 years 

That's what I have now. I just don't like the idea of never checking fluid level in the battery when I am recharging it frequently. As I mentioned, my boat's configuration requires me to disconnect all wires and remove the batteries in order to check fluid levels. That's why I want to replace them with sealed batteries.

[Jig Man]

Sam’s Club is another good place to get agm batteries.

[gim]

8 minutes ago, PawleysDude said:

That's what I have now. I just don't like the idea of never checking fluid level in the battery when I am recharging it frequently. As I mentioned, my boat's configuration requires me to disconnect all wires and remove the batteries in order to check fluid levels. That's why I want to replace them with sealed batteries.

I would go with an AGM in your case, like the one you posted or something similar.  Being that its a pain in the rear to get at them and replace them, you'll get a little more life out of it without having to check fluid levels too.

 

I have heard and read good reviews about Duracell AGM batteries.  I will likely be replacing my deep cycle interstates (lead acid) with Duracell AGM batteries next spring.

[J Francho]

AGM is definitely the easiest solution. Costs a little more.  Make sure your charger is compatible. 

[Bankc]

So you DON'T have an outboard?  Is that right?  If so, get a pair of Group 24 AGM Deep Cycle batteries.  That's the easy way out.  Brand doesn't matter.  They're pretty much all the same these days.  Just find whatever's cheapest.  

But, as noted, make sure your charger will work with them.  Not all chargers have an AGM mode.  Though most do. 

[PawleysDude]

3 hours ago, Bankc said:

So you DON'T have an outboard?  Is that right?  If so, get a pair of Group 24 AGM Deep Cycle batteries.  That's the easy way out.  Brand doesn't matter.  They're pretty much all the same these days.  Just find whatever's cheapest.  

But, as noted, make sure your charger will work with them.  Not all chargers have an AGM mode.  Though most do. 

Thanks, seems to be the way to go, and I’m all about easy way outs. I’m running a NoCo Genius onboard charger with an AGM mode, so hopefully I’m covered there.

 

Thanks to everybody for all the excellent feedback!