Best trolling motor battery under $200???

[indyboy]

Hi everybody...I need to buy a new battery for my 12 volt trolling motor. I can spend up to $200. Any suggestions? I considered Walmart's top of the line battery for $100 but I have read a lot of reviews complaining of short life plus I would rather have a sealed battery if possible. Thanks in advance.

 

[jrttoday]

I'm currently running two Exide 27MSDC (I think letters are correct) for my 24V; got one at Academy for just under $100, the other 6 months later at Tractor Supply for about the same. So far so good, but haven't been out much since outboard probs.

In the past, have gone to an Interstate Battery dealer/supplier and bought blems for less than $40 a piece. They hold up well; dealer may also have reconditioned ones - have had recon hold up for better than 3yrs. Probably died do my neglect or non usage.

I was HAPPY when someone stole my walmart cranking battery!!! :joyous:

 

[jrttoday]

PS: BS walmart battery replaced with 1000 amp Interstate blemished battery for $40. Two years old, spins my old motor up fast, hot spark, and maintains its charge even though I'm mostly just trimming up/down moving around the yard

 

[Silvertip]

You don't "need" to spend over $100 for a good deep cycle battery (but you can). Look at the label on the battery paying attention to the group size (you need a group 27 minimum) and then look for the "Reserve Minutes" number (higher is better). Most group 27 batteries will have a reserve capacity in 175 - 180 minute range. If you find one higher than that then go for it. Those are the two comparison numbers. You may find that a $250 gel battery doesn't have any better numbers than a $75 battery at your local farm store (yes they have them in big cities but you need to look for them). I've used Fleet Farm deep cycle batteries for decades and never had one fail and never paid over $80 for one. Install one in a new boat and it's in there years later when the boat is sold. The key to long battery life is proper charging. Charge it using a smart charger immediately after use -- not before you go out the next time. Batteries do not like to sit in a deeply discharged state for long periods. Owners kill more batteries than those that simply mysteriously die. Look at it this way -- unless you are a commercial fisherperson or charter boat dude, you don't need that expensive battery. You can buy three cheapies for the price and have a new one every couple of years. But then there is no guarantee that the spendy battery will last any longer than a properly cared for cheapy. Just because you spend more doesn't mean that battery will power the motor longer. Reserve capacity is just that -- doesn't matter how much you spend.

 

[indyboy]

Thanks Silvertip...good insight. I found an Interstate marine battery that I am considering. It is a group 29 with a reserve capacity of 210 minutes. The battery weighs 61 pounds and is 13 inches long and 10 inches wide. ( I was told a heavier battery means it is better and this is a heavy one ) Price is $140 with a one year full replacement warranty. The battery is going to be used 12 times a year max and only for trolling. Any thoughts?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

I have always gotten excellent service from Delco Voyagers

 

[indyboy]

Did you use the Delco primarily as a trolling motor battery? Whatever I buy will not be used as a starting battery....only trolling.

 

[bruceb58]

Trojan T-1275 12V Deep Cycle Golf Cart battery. Its a true Deep cycle battery compared to the ones you find at Wal Mart.
http://www.atbatt.com/trojan-t-1275...F9jaQXmoBiYp54GPr-dkNmVHp0Oxls4w3YRoCMPfw_wcB

 

[indyboy]

Hmmm....never thought about using a golf cart battery for trolling but it makes sense. Thank you for your input.

 

[indyboy]

Unfortunately that site you provided..AtBatt.com is in California and they won't ship less than 4 batteries. I live near Chicago so that won't work. I will look for a local golf cart battery dealer and see what I can find. Thanks for your advice.

 

[bruceb58]

That was just an example to get the model number. They should be available close to where you are so you can pick up.

 

[moi]

That is one lot of $$$$ for 12 times a year use.

 

[bruceb58]

That is one lot of $$$$ for 12 times a year use.

So is registration, maintenance, insurance.....

That amount for a battery actually doesn't look that bad!

 

[indyboy]

I don't mind spending the money on a good battery. My current battery is a 5 year old Energizer deep cycle that will still move my 15 ft boat with 3 adults in it for 4 hours easy. My other battery was a Duralast that shorted out internally but it was also 5 years old..I like to have 2 batteries on the boat at all times. I use a Vector 3 stage computerized battery charger. Best charger I have ever seen. It even has a reconditioning mode which allowed me to regenerate a dying battery in my GMC 4x4 truck and use it for another 2 years before it showed signs of failure. . .

 

[indyboy]

And thanks Bruce..... I have found them closer. The core charge is $40 because I don't have a golf cart battery to turn in...plus they weigh 80 pounds compared to the 60 pounds of the more typical deep cycle. Not sure which I am going to pick but I do appreciate your input.

 

[bruceb58]

I use a Vector 3 stage computerized battery charger. Best charger I have ever seen.

I have the same. The week point in that charger is the fan failing and then the charger overheats. I was proactive and changed out the fan with a higher quality ball bearing fan of the exact same size. I am actually going to install another fan on the other side so even more air flows through it and is a backup in case one dies.

 

[indyboy]

That's a great idea. I have had this charger for many years with no issues yet. Where can I get a replacement fan?

 

[bruceb58]

That's a great idea. I have had this charger for many years with no issues yet. Where can I get a replacement fan?

eBay

 

[indyboy]

OK... Thanks.

 

[bruceb58]

Open up the charger and measure the fan and see what voltage fan it is. I can't remember if its a 110V or 12V fan. I am 99% sure it is 12V but you should verify.

The reason I did this is because when looking at reviews, almost all of the bad reviews were because the fan died and the charger overheated.