Tired of cheap Batteries

[NYBo]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

You want not-cheap? Here's your answer.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

yep bright orange will have them selling like hot cakes...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

You want not-cheap? Here's your answer.

I can buy 7 Interstate batteries for that price. At 2 years each, I'll get 14 years for my $792.00

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

Howdy AZ neighbor! You always seem to get a lot of "thread" out of your threads! I just replaced my two year old battery (inherited with the recent boat purchase)....and I attribute that to the Phoenix heat... Went with a Sears diehard (I have always been a fan, ever since I was a kid in my dad's garage). Keep it fully charged when not in the water (float charger), and the boat is garaged. Hope I can go a year or two longer this time.

 

[dwparker99]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

To try and make my cheap Wal-Mart batteries last longer, on those 90+ degree days, I charge during the cool of the night versus the heat of the late afternoon/early evening times.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

To try and make my cheap Wal-Mart batteries last longer, on those 90+ degree days, I charge during the cool of the night versus the heat of the late afternoon/early evening times.

That's an excellent strategy. A really good charger (commercial grade) would have a temp probe that attaches to the negative terminal during charging. I've spent a few weeks in 115 degree downtown Phoenix when I worked for Fireman's Fund. I doubt that type of charger would even come on. You definitely have your challenges.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

My boat's batteries are now 7 years old. I just did a load test on both of them and they both passed with flying colors. They are hooked up to a Guest 2 bank charger that for the most part was on 24/7.

My 2 batteries rarely get discharged much so that may account for the longer life I am getting.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

AZ, how often do you check the electrolyte level in your battery(s)? I do this about 2 times a year and it seems that at least some of my batteries need to be topped off, distilled water only. I have 6 batteries across 2 boats and they get heavily discharged trolling, so my usage is a bit different than yours.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

That's an excellent strategy. A really good charger (commercial grade) would have a temp probe that attaches to the negative terminal during charging. I've spent a few weeks in 115 degree downtown Phoenix when I worked for Fireman's Fund. I doubt that type of charger would even come on. You definitely have your challenges.

Most temperature compensating chargers for lead acid just change the float voltage. Temperature can for sure be an issue but it really is not that great in a boating environment. Automotive is way more severe as the underhood temps are much greater and batteries in those applications last 5 years.

Short battery life in boats is mainly due to how the battery is stored in a charged condition and how many and how deep the discharges are.

 

[jkust]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

My sig boat battery from 2003 is original and I'm stunned it still works perfectly. It must be a quality battery. I will have to check the brand but my oem GM minivan battery lasted close to 9 years and in MN no less. Have had Walmart car batteries fail in their first year not sure about their marine batteries.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

Ok I admit I top off the battery with Plain old Tap water. I suppose I'm doing harm with this.
Also I do believe heat is the Killer. Maybe I should keep the batteries in the house when not is use

This has been educational.

Thank you

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

I don't think heat is the main killer of batteries as my car-truck OEM batteries have lasted 8 years or so. When swapping them out to aftermarket batteries, the aftermarket's don't last nearly as long, maybe 3-4 years, 5 tops. I think it's more along the lines of cheap batteries that can't hack the heat. Toss in a marine application where the batteries are not constantly topped off, left uncharged for months on end or severely depleted often,,, high heat could be the straw that broke the camel's back.

One of my friends used to complain that he had to buy batteries for his camper every year. He'd take the camper on a couple trips in the summer, then leave it sitting for 9 months..... :facepalm:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

Ok I admit I top off the battery with Plain old Tap water.

You need to stop doing that. No tap water in the radiator of the car either.

 

[OneBadMarine]

Re: Tired of cheap Batteries

Ok I admit I top off the battery with Plain old Tap water. I suppose I'm doing harm with this.
Also I do believe heat is the Killer. Maybe I should keep the batteries in the house when not is use

This has been educational.

Thank you

Here is the real reason to go with the Optima/ AGM batteries. the plates in a traditional battery can and often short the plates internally. the AGM battery has an insulator captured between the plates and CAN'T short out on you on the water. And the Optimas AGM will go way past warranties with proper use/maintenance as stated by others. I have been Using Optima for over 10 yrs auto and Marine with no regrets for the higher purchase price.