Battery Advice

[Christian M]

I just bought a new bow mount trolling motor for my boat, its a 55lb MinnKota Powerdrive V2. I have a battery with a few seasons on it that powered my old motor all day no problem. My first outing with the new motor gave me about an hour of good performance before the battery indicator read re-charge. I have 4 batteries on the boat all together. One for the bow mount motor, one for the transom mount (55lb Minn Kota), one for the accessories ( fishfinders, radio, lights) and one for the live well.

I really need a new battery for the bow mount motor, the rear motor is optional as it's just a kicker. The accessories can run on the batts that they're already on.

My question is what do you guys suggest I do? Money is tight, so Im thinking I can replace both motor batteries with standard deep cycle marine batteries, or spring for a dry cell just for the front motor. Do you guys know of any websites or companies that make good batteries at decent prices?

[Traveler2586]

Sears DieHard deep-cycle get good reviews; I had one on a 14' Jon boat many years ago, it ran both the bow and the stern 12V trolling motors. I don't care for some of the articles I've read about drycell batteries over heating while recharging; they can catch fire. I don't know anyone with a drycell....

[Jig Man]

Your best bang for your buck is probably to stick with a flooded cell deep cycle. There are several good ones out there. Look for 180-200 reserve amps.

[BrianSnat]

I picked up a Walmart deep cycle that has been going strong for 3 seasons. This is its 4th year and I charged it up and trolled with my 55 lb Minn Kota for 3 continuous hours with it last week before it started slowing down.

[Traveler2586]

If I recall, several battery brands are made by the same factory. I haven't confirmed that for this post, but if I recall, I saw it in a Consumers Reports product testing article some time back. So, like Jig Man said look for the Amps, and buy from where you can get good warranty and customer service. Just remember, keep all connections clean, shinny, and tight.

[FD.]

Walmart Everstart Marine Deep cycle is the only battery to buy and they are one of the least expensive. Get the 29 DC and you will be set for 200-250 cycles if you keep it charged. I have about 200 trips on a set in my Stratos and just bought a new set for the Triton.

[Procious]

I've tried several different batteries over the years. I now buy the Walmart EverStart 29. It's not to expensive and it's a good battery. I normally get several years out of a battery before I have to replace it. In fact, I just replaced an EverStart Maxx that I purchased in 2008. EverStart batteries are made by the same company that make DieHard. EverStart is priced lower. Good luck.

[jignfule]

If I recall, several battery brands are made by the same factory. I haven't confirmed that for this post, but if I recall, I saw it in a Consumers Reports product testing article some time back. So, like Jig Man said look for the Amps, and buy from where you can get good warranty and customer service. Just remember, keep all connections clean, shinny, and tight.

You're right, there is only a hand full of manufactures for the multi brands you see on the market,

[Way2slow]

Actually, I think we are down to only five battery manufactors here in the US. Johnson Control is the largest, by far and they make many brands, including Wally Worlds. With that said, I surely hope you don't think that just because a number of different batteries come out of the same plant, they are all the same battery. Most all manufactors produce a number of different name brands, but they are not all made to the same spec's.

EastPenn Manufactoring is probably making some of the best batteries on the market right now but you won't go to Wal-Mart and buy one. They are producing a huge number of the OEM batteries, and they also happen to make most of Bass Pro Shops.