Replacing my battery

[M9.9]

Re: Replacing my battery

I tend to buy the cheapest 12v w/the highest cold amp rating. But, as mentioned above, I take care of them and keep warm in the cold months, trickle-charging about every other month. I do not sit them on a concrete floor-directly. I clean the terminals using a battery brush or sand paper and wash the top-off using water/baking soda before cleaning the terminals to be connected to the battery.
It's not the price of the battery, it's how it's looked after and it needs continual care. It's an investment on the water you need to be concerned with. Look after it, and it will continually delivery the same high amperage peak rate on down. Anyway guys--not wanting to ramble--lol

 

[JimS123]

Re: Replacing my battery

It's not the price of the battery, it's how it's looked after and it needs continual care. lol

There is a lot of truth to that regarding the need for care. Even the best battery will die prematurely if not cared for.

But a cheeepo is still a cheeepo! Two years ago I needed a lawn tractor battery and since the grass needed cutting right now I didn't have time to send away for a good one. The wallybattery only lasted a year, and that WAS with care.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Replacing my battery

I have a 1996 Bayliner Capri 1700 LS and will be replacing the battery for this spring and would like to know anyone thoughts on the best battery to use and I also want to install an automatic battery charger also. Any thoughts would help.

What kind of motor is on it? I seem to remember that they came with a 75 or 125 Force outboard. If it has an unregulated output then that will trash many kinds of modern batteries.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Replacing my battery

I didn't read all of he post but saw that Optima Red tops were mentioned so i thought i would share my experience with having two of them.
They are wonderful as far as never leaking. They are strong! I have zero problems with the one in my chevy truck. However they don't do well at all if there is any draw at all on them and they are not driven/used regularly. I have one in a car i only use occasionally, once a month. This car has a computer that draws on the battery ever so slightly when not in use. For some reason the Optima's don't do well like this. The factory traditional battery went 4 years and didn't mind long intervals between use. All that is needed to correct this is a battery tender. Kinda a pain. I have swapped the two batteries between the two vehicles so it is not a bum battery. Either battery for two weeks in the un-driven car with a slight draw and its DEAD.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Replacing my battery

& then the most important factor.

Poor quality of production materials. THAT is something the buying public NEVER hears. Pinto gas tanks, Ford Police cars gas tanks, GM pickup side mounted gas tanks.

Battery companies have the same types of problems.

" We have never had a bad run of batteries!!! "

 

[JimS123]

Re: Replacing my battery

& then the most important factor.

Poor quality of production materials. THAT is something the buying public NEVER hears. Pinto gas tanks, Ford Police cars gas tanks, GM pickup side mounted gas tanks.

Battery companies have the same types of problems.

" We have never had a bad run of batteries!!! "

A friend bought a XXX brand AGM for his jetski from the dealer. It didn't last even 1 year. When he took it back the dealer said the whole Spring shipment went bad before Summer was over and the mfgr. wouldn't honor the warranty. Several were sent back and in every case they told them it wasn't covered because they all were allowed to go completely dead before recharging.

Nuff said for ME to never buy that brand, nor recommend it to others!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Replacing my battery

I didn't read all of he post but saw that Optima Red tops were mentioned so i thought i would share my experience with having two of them.
They are wonderful as far as never leaking. They are strong! I have zero problems with the one in my chevy truck. However they don't do well at all if there is any draw at all on them and they are not driven/used regularly. I have one in a car i only use occasionally, once a month. This car has a computer that draws on the battery ever so slightly when not in use. For some reason the Optima's don't do well like this. The factory traditional battery went 4 years and didn't mind long intervals between use. All that is needed to correct this is a battery tender. Kinda a pain. I have swapped the two batteries between the two vehicles so it is not a bum battery. Either battery for two weeks in the un-driven car with a slight draw and its DEAD.

Similar problem with my jetski, which has an always on security system. Fixed the problem by installing a battery switch and I turn it off when its in the garage. Never once had to recharge all summer.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Replacing my battery

Similar problem with my jetski, which has an always on security system. Fixed the problem by installing a battery switch and I turn it off when its in the garage. Never once had to recharge all summer.

I thought about that but on this car, and lots of newer ones, the computer will go through a "re-learn" period in which it idles and runs like crap if you unhook the power to it.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Replacing my battery

I have a 1996 Bayliner Capri 1700 LS and will be replacing the battery for this spring and would like to know anyone thoughts on the best battery to use and I also want to install an automatic battery charger also. Any thoughts would help.

The guy asked what the best battery was... He didn't ask about investment advice or to have his boat appraised.

He did ask what the best battery for his application, not what's the best battery in the world.

Good response. Besides, if he does trade the boat in, why not keep the battery for the new boat. I've done that on 3 cars. Sold it with a cheep Wally battery and transferred the AGM to the new car.

I can see the CL ad now.... Runs great, just needs a battery....

And richvr6, since you'll probably want a depthfinder eventually, you should look at this, since everyone thinks you should get the best.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Replacing my battery

nobody told him he needed an optima (I actually said they are great but too pricey for me)..... we have just objectively discussed the pros and cons of various batts without belittling him or his boat which in good condition is worth way more than $1500 and of course if the value of the boat mattered AT ALL in this discussion it would mean he was selling the boat... If that were the case then ANY cheapo batt would be perfect

of course he hasn't said anything about selling his boat or about buying a $3000 gps unit although I'd LOVE to have an hds10 or two.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Replacing my battery

I think the thread derailed a bit from "what's the best battery for my application" to "my battery can beat up your battery"
.

 

[richvr6]

Re: Replacing my battery

The way it looks I will be looking more towards the optima and yes I am outside the DC area and will be storing the boat for the winter months and good looking with reminding me to just remove the battery when I put it in storage.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Replacing my battery

I can see the CL ad now.... Runs great, just needs a battery....

QUOTE]

I didn't say it was batteryless. I said it had a BRAND NEW wallybattery in it (actually the buyer was happy to have a new battery)

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Replacing my battery

The way it looks I will be looking more towards the optima and yes I am outside the DC area and will be storing the boat for the winter months and good looking with reminding me to just remove the battery when I put it in storage.

I would make sure to get the marine version, blue.

For those wanting the best I think that would be an Odyssey, they are military grade.

http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-34M-P..._1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1325553016&sr=1-1

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Replacing my battery

Rich

You may want to read about ALL the good & bad features of each type of battery . Before buying.
www.batteryuniversity.com

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Replacing my battery

Rich

You may want to read about ALL the good & bad features of each type of battery . Before buying.
www.batteryunivercity.com

That didn't work...
Did you mean http://batteryuniversity.com/

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Replacing my battery

Thank you Joe. I ment your spelling of the web site.

 

[MPII]

Re: Replacing my battery

The "Best" battery is the least expensive one that is sized to do the job it was intended for.

If there are no bad boats, just bad owners.
There are no bad batteries, just ......

There are actually very few battery manufacturers.
Sears does not make their DieHard batteries any more than they make Craftsman tools or Kenmore anything.
Walmart certainly does not make their batteries.

Take care of your battery and it will take care of you.
Check the water level every few months, and keep it clean.
If the terminals are getting crusty, that means there is a leakage current across the terminals from salt or acid creep. Clean it!

If you are a northern boater, when the boat gets stored for the winter, pull the battery and keep it in your garage or someplace warm (cool).
Charge it for a few hours once a month.
A frozen discharged battery is soon to be an unreliable battery.

If you think this is way to much effort to spend on the maintenance of a battery, then be prepared to buy a new one often, and make sure you water towing policy is up to date.

+1, and, rather than charging once a month, I keep them on a float charger that keeps them at top charge without overcharding. You can get them pretty cheap. Put the batteries on shelf in basement on charges, haven't had a problem with them yet. (I'm knocking on wood right now).

 

[richvr6]

Re: Replacing my battery

http://shop.optimabatteries.com/products/category/BlueTop/1737.0.1.1.54219.54060.0.0.0

which one is the correct one to use.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Replacing my battery

The ones not being made in Mexico. Do a web search of ...Optima battery problems.