TritonGlenn i got a question for ya....

[Jim B]

Do you know if Trojan still makes starting batteries that are rated high enough to start an opti? I forget what the part numbers were and i just went to thier website and i cant find any information on them. They only list the deep cycle ones. If you know the part numbers i will call my local battery place and see if they still have them.



My Z7 when i bought it came with an interstate starting battery( i had them put in SCS batteries that i supplied from the get go for the TM) and only as year and a half later its croaking as I expected. I cant even run my well pumps on auto now for more then an hour before the fish finders start barking about low voltage and the motor wont crank. I trested it last night and the hydrometer shows me 2 weak cells. This battery was a-ok just a month ago....

 

[TritonGlenn]

Jim B,

Unfortunatly, they do not. I've expressed my disappointment to them recently when I put all new batteries in my boat after my new TM upgrade to a 36v system. I was running the 27SM-1100 in mine, and there was a 24SM-1000 available up to last year. They have stopped making them.



I had to put a different brand in there for my starting - I chose a Optima, and I'm still not happy about it. It's a weird shape, and doesn't fit well in my battery trays (Hard to secure in the metal trays I have), although I did get it in there finally. It hasn't given me any issues, and I'm hoping it doesn't. I'm was not happy when I saw the Interstate emblem on the sticker on top, as I'm not an Interstate fan. I'm told they are only distributed through Interstate, not made by them... but I'm still questioning that purchase.



Another reason I'm not too happy with the Optima purchase - I got it because there was supposed to be a $60 rebate. I'm still waiting on that one to arrive. :unsure:



Maybe if enough people complain to Trojan they will bring it back. The day they do - I'll have a new 27SM-1100 in my rig.



All the best,

Glenn

 

[Jim B]

Thanks Glenn,

That is a total bummer...... I just called and voiced my displeasure too.



I think im going to go to west marine and get a Deka battery. They do make one that fits the requirement for the Opti so i think thats the road im going to go down. Deka has a good reputation as being a quality battery.



BTW the optima is actually made by Johnson Controls who also makes the interstate so they are actually infact made by the same company. I still flat out refuse to give them my money. The interstate i have came with the boat and if i had thought about it when i got it i should have got a starting battery too when i got my new scs 225's to put in the new boat.

 

[Texas Transplant]

Many know this, but it is still interesting. As Jim indicated above, Interstate Batteries is simply a sales and distribution company. They do not manufacture products. I had the opportunity to interview for a position with them (HDQ'd in DFW area) some years ago. During the interview process, I was told this little tidbit.



Johnson Controls is probably the largest manufacturer of batteries in the US, maybe the world. They make them for all types of companies.



Tex

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Fortunately for me, I have an Interstate Distributor here close. I've had one bad battery that they replaced with an upgrade so I can't complian.

 

[Michael Meier]

Used to be Trolling Thunder.
http://www.odysseysoutheast.com

 

[TritonGlenn]

Trojan was never Trolling Thunder. Are you talking about something else?

All the best,

Glenn