Boat Batteries

[MarbleEyez]

Need new trolling batteries for the vessel. Always have bought interstates. Am I missing anything special in the battery game these days?? I didn't think so, but figured I'd ask the "Experts".....

 

[wslayer]

Sorry, would never touch another interstate deep cycle or automotive. I've had a set of deep cycle and 2 auto. Have never gotten more than 2 yrs out of them, and pro-rating is bullshit. Napa batteries have done well for us.

 

[Slappy]

I just went down the rabbit hole on this one. Ultimately decided to stick with Interstate flooded lead acid deep cycles.

I considered switching to AGM to get away from having to check fluid levels. One problem is that while my on board smart charger can charge AGM batteries properly, the voltage supplied back by my main and kicker motors is 15 - 15.5 V which is higher than recommended for all of the AGM batteries I considered. While trolling battery bank is not connected to cranking battery, every marine smart charger manufacturer I looked at recommends against mixing battery types connected to the charger. Mine uses the same charging profile for all banks, so no option to use a flooded lead acid profile for 1 and AGM profile for others even if I wanted to disregard manufacturer recommendation.

Everyone I know that has had problems with interstate batteries in the boat don't charge them immediately after using. The first thing you should do after parking the rig is plug it in every time. If you discharge deep cycles and wait days or weeks to recharge, don't blame the battery for short lifespan.

 

[LBrandt]

Interstates have done well for me in my boat. The trolling batteries are 8 years old and the starting battery is original from when I bought my boat new in 08. Always have trickle charger on them when in the garage at all times. Never let me down. That said it might be the kiss of death but I checked them last week and all was good. Some people get lucky some dont. LB

 

[NDwalleyes]

When it comes to lead acid batteries, there are only 3 manufactures of them in the US, Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market, Exide; and East Penn.

Interstate batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls.

If you have issues with a line of batteries, don't look at the sticker on the side of the battery, you will need to look at the SDS for the manufacturer. Typically you can get the SDS online or from the retailer.

Been using Interstates / Johnson Control for years. They are thirsty bastards and need to be watered several time per year, like 6 times/year. I was told that once you let a cell get dry to the point where the lead is exposed, the cell is toast. Not sure if it is true, but I seem to have better luck than most with batteries.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

I’ve had good luck running different off brand batteries. I believe it comes down to battery maintenance.

 

[sl1000794]

OK guys, here is what I know from experience about batteries from dealing with the Interstate Battery commercial battery dealer in San Jose. I use all Interstate batteries. (I think that Walmart batteries are Interstate batteries.)

If a battery (or battery bank) in a boat or diesel vehicle go bad and will not take a charge from a home charger, it doesn’t mean that the batteries are DEAD. I speak from experience (and I may be speaking to the choir to most of you on this Forum.)

If a battery goes “dead” and will not take a charge from our home charger we think it is DEAD! Not necessarily so. Home chargers MUST detect a minimal amount of amps going into the battery for the charger to work and charge the battery(s). I know this because when we left CA last spring I had put 2 new Interstate batteries in my Ford Powerstroke. When we got back in February they were dead and I took them in for an exchange. The manager said that they only had 1 volt of charge and the batteries had been discharged in the vehicle while I was gone and the warranty did not apply. But he would try to charge them. (I had put my charger on them but no luck.)

Interstate will put several charged batteries in parallel on my discharge batteries to FORCE amps into my DEAD batteries so that my batteries will accept charging from a battery charger.

You can do this yourselves by hooking up “DEAD” batteries to your diesel vehicles (or trucks/cars) and letting them idle for several/many hours to put a charge on the “dead” batteries so they will accept a charge from a 12v charger.

 

[remm]

Dakota lithiums or similar lithium brand most likely for me when I need to replace mine. Can't go wrong with 11 year warranty

 

[eyexer]

Trojans are very spendy but are awesome batteries

 

[risingsun]

I have had good luck with the Ever Start Max from walmart. Mine are 7 years old and still strong. I have no doubt the Dakota lithium batteries are good, but I have a very hard time seeing how you can justify the price at 800 a piece. Then you have to buy different chargers as well. And like any warranty, you best look closely at the the fine print with the 11 years. They will repair/replace up to 5 years. After 5 years you get 30% off the purchase of a replacement. It just doesn't pencil out to me. I have always said, stick to what you have had luck with or happy with, whether it be interstate, walmart, optima etc... Not everyone treats, maintains or uses their stuff the same. Some fellas can wreck a crow bar.

 

[sl1000794]

Johnson Controls makes WalMart's Ever Start batteries. who makes walmart car batteries

 

[Skeeter]

I have had good luck with the Ever Start Max from walmart. Mine are 7 years old and still strong. I have no doubt the Dakota lithium batteries are good, but I have a very hard time seeing how you can justify the price at 800 a piece. Then you have to buy different chargers as well. And like any warranty, you best look closely at the the fine print with the 11 years. They will repair/replace up to 5 years. After 5 years you get 30% off the purchase of a replacement. It just doesn't pencil out to me. I have always said, stick to what you have had luck with or happy with, whether it be interstate, walmart, optima etc... Not everyone treats, maintains or uses their stuff the same. Some fellas can wreck a crow bar.

I have a bent crowbar for sale if you are interested

 

[ndfinfan]

Speaking of batteries...I bought a new crank battery this year/dual purpose 27 series. Got the boat out of storage last night...went to put the new crank batt in so I could trim up the motor for the drive home...and the battery tray installed is too small! Got it in there/connected/strapped down for the drive home, but I now have to either "modify" the current tray or buy a new one. Any of you run into this situation when upgrading your batteries?

 

[LBrandt]

I have a bent crowbar for sale if you are interested

Strange but I have one too, Bent to the left and for sale cheap. They just dont make them like they used to. LB

 

[Slappy]

...and the battery tray installed is too small! Any of you run into this situation when upgrading your batteries?

They're easy to remove and replace. Typically just 4 phillips head screws holding the tray down.

Go with the TH Marine tray with metal buckle. They are solid and easily adjusted to make perfectly tight. https://thmarinesupplies.com/products/battery-holder-tray-with-stainless-buckle

The plastic buckles are easy but don't hold as tightly. The trays with metal or plastic rods and a top piece that screws down with wing nuts are a pain.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

Speaking of batteries...I bought a new crank battery this year/dual purpose 27 series. Got the boat out of storage last night...went to put the new crank batt in so I could trim up the motor for the drive home...and the battery tray installed is too small! Got it in there/connected/strapped down for the drive home, but I now have to either "modify" the current tray or buy a new one. Any of you run into this situation when upgrading your batteries?

I’m in the same boat, pun intended. I’m replacing the trays with larger groups size trays. My advice would be to make sure you know what you are drilling into and what’s below it. You wouldn’t want to drill a hole in the bottom during the process.

- - - Updated - - -

I’m going to drill and tap the holes so I can use bolts.

 

[628977]

Trojans are very spendy but are awesome batteries

I picked up a set of Trojans last year and ran the hell out of them all summer. I have nothing bad to say about them and would buy another set.

 

[eyexer]

I picked up a set of Trojans last year and ran the hell out of them all summer. I have nothing bad to say about them and would buy another set.

For many years they have been the standard of the industry in lead acid batteries

 

[deleted___account]

Speaking of batteries...I bought a new crank battery this year/dual purpose 27 series. Got the boat out of storage last night...went to put the new crank batt in so I could trim up the motor for the drive home...and the battery tray installed is too small! Got it in there/connected/strapped down for the drive home, but I now have to either "modify" the current tray or buy a new one. Any of you run into this situation when upgrading your batteries?

Lund didn't think that one thru. They come out pretty easy. You can either install larger ones or just rip the current 1 out. I'm lazy, haven't had any trouble from not putting a larger one in. Not much room for em to move after you get a second battery in there.

 

[Ristorapper]

Slappy stated: Everyone I know that has had problems with interstate batteries in the boat don't charge them immediately after using. The first thing you should do after parking the rig is plug it in every time. If you discharge deep cycles and wait days or weeks to recharge, don't blame the battery for short lifespan."

1000% agree. I had a pair (24 volt system) of AC Delcos last 7 years on two different occasions while i kept my boat over 14 years from '97-2011. (shit; celebrating 10 years without a boat).

I religiously plugged the charger in as soon as I got the boat backed into its parking spot. I also religiously topped off the batteries (charge and fluid) at the end of the season and never touched them (above freezing storage in a garage) until spring (disconnect negative terminal on all batteries). Maintenance is key with any battery that you discharge/charge. Stay on top of it. EVEN before you grab a beer, plug 'em in boys!! YOU WILL see a difference.