batteries

[Justin Lavely2]

I need to replace two trolling motor batteries this year. I checked into Optima because I heard good things about them, but the best price I found was $225/piece. So I'm thinking I'm going to stick with lead acid. Does anyone have a preference for brand? Interstate? Die Hard?

 

[Jim B]

My personal preference is Trojan SCS series, the SCS 225 specifically. In in my opinion they are a great value for the dollars spent in terms of service life and performance on the water vs. every other battery I have tried. I tend to fish windy, or rough water and I like to fish fast moving baits like a spinnerbait and cover lots of water. So I am on the trolling motor a lot and with the SCS 225

 

[Justin Lavely2]

Jim

My TM is a 55 lb thrust 12-volt with two batteries. Will I still notice a huge difference with the Trojans? For the extra money?

 

[Berry Lindley]

I just use a good lead acid battery as I am a Sat AM guy. If I run out of juice, it is too snotty to be fishing anyway. If you are going to be a serious heavy user, it is worth it to cough up the extra bucks for a really good couple of batteries. In that case you probably will be upgrading the trolling motor too to a 24V. Just depends on what you do. Deka makes a good heavy lead acid battery, I don't know if you can get them where you are but they are private labelled here by American Battery. It is a big heavy oversized dude. I've had several and they are very good batts.

 

[Jim B]

Jusin,

I do think thet the trojan is money well spent vs cheaper lead acid batteries. Optia costs more thant trojan would and from whatbi have seen the trojan will perform better.

 

[Mike Clayton]

I am going on 5 years with my gr 27 Interstate for 12 volt trolling motor and same with gr 24 for my engine....use my boat on an average 4 times a month, heard some bad about them but I'll stay with them for now....start battery is good holding at 12.6 troller holds around 12.4 but is showing signs of failing after several hours on water but never gives up so I will probably replace with another Interstate this summer.....

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

The thing about interstates in my opinion is that you either get a good one or a bad one and the bad ones seem to be out numbering the good ones....I went through 2 sets in 6 months and never went back to them.



TOXIC

 

[TOMMY RICH]

I go with Interstate for the reason of having a Headquarters a few mile away

 

[Mike Clayton]

Tox....guess I got two good ones, but do you think that's the case with all brands as I have read good and bad about many...I guess the best way to choose is your wallet first and then track record ( reviews...but reviews can be done by the Mfg's ) and just what you read about batteries on forums...Tox what is your choice??

 

[joe currier]

i dont like interstate for alot of reasons. i worked at a boat dealership that used them

exclusivly, and the results were not good.

funny thing is after all the problems this "boat company" i worked for

still uses them in all their boats. in prices interstate gives big operations must be so...... low...... that no one else can compete? (how could they do that)?they were in my boat and i quickly replaced them with the yellow group 29 everstart batteries. you get a two year warranty on them and after 22 months i swap them out at

littel or sometimes no charge.

this only works if you use the heck out of them like me, that way after 22 mths they wont pass a load test.

sometimes i'll have to plead my case a bit to explain they are not preforming up to or even close to a new battery and the warranty implies they will.

seems they are pretty willing to honer it.

but i'm sure there are plenty batteries out there that are made great.

just cant see myself spending the money on the designer brands.



just my two cents.

 

[Bill McElroy]

I don't like interstate's either,......had to replace 3 of them after a year!! :angry:

 

[Jimmy Easterling]

I have three interstate's sitting on the floor in my shop, I won't put another interstate in my boat.

 

[Dan J.]

The first thing I always did with my new boats is yank out the Interstates and replace them with Delco Voyagers. Never had a battery issue after that.

 

[Berry Lindley]

I don't think they make batteries so they probably farm out manufacturing based on price, that could affect good vs bad. FWIW the Interstate marine cranking battery that came in my '05 is still in there and fine, I will probably pull it in April just so I don't have a bad day this spring...... One thing to watch for is how old they are. A battery on a shelf for a long time is not good. Batteries have date keys on them. I try to get one a few months old or less whether it is for a boat or not. Good maintenance in marine apps is very important.

 

[shane mccormick]

i use ac delco batteries. average life i get out of them are 4 years. have gotten 6 plus out of some.

 

[Mini]

Joe,



WalMart no longer offers warranties on batteries because of the situation you described.



Mini