Trolling motor batteries

[GUNSNREELS]

I am fixing to purchase two new trolling motor batteries,I know the blue top Optimas are the best,is there any other brand just as good.Most likely will buy the Optimas,just wondering what else was out there.

[StevenPituch]

I have two 29 size Interstate wet cell batteries that have more capacity than most Optimas. I think I paid $86 apiece for them at Sam's Club. I think that they are about a year old. They still show 12.92 Volts after a day off of the charger (rest Voltage), which is incredible. When you go to buy batteries, bring a voltmeter so you can choose the freshest ones.

I think the secret to having good performance with batteries is to have a good tri-state charger, and leave it plugged in 24/7. I have a Minn Kota 220 for the trolling motor batteries, and a Minn Kota 110 for the starter battery.

I check the batteries every 4 months or so and haven't needed to even top them off. So they don't over charge at all. Also I once thought the charging voltage was off, but when I considered the ambient temperature the charging voltage was right on. So the temperature compensation really works.

When I got the chargers they were on sale. The good news is that I just received an email from Minn Kota and their chargers are on sale again. Go to their web site.

Steve

[Capt. JT]

I have the Blue top Optimas on a Riptide 80 Minn Kota pulling a 22' Majak. I have had these two batteries for a lil over two years, with no problems. I have replaced three cranking battaries in the last year and a half, (interstate) The wet cell bats will not hold up to the constant pounding. New cranking bat is an Optima yellow top. My 2 cents

[Captain Dave]

x2 Steve... My 2 Interstates are in consol and take a freaken beating.. They usally last 3 yrs with proper charge n discharge and using distilled water in the cells. Tried the NASA AGM and must of got a bad batch. last 2 yrs but only paid 60 bucks for both. Trip there ( Battery Express ) is alot harder to pick them up.

My start Bluetop takes more of a beating and runs off the engine charger.. going on 4 yrs and begging for more.

Originally Posted by StevenPituch

I have two 29 size Interstate wet cell batteries that have more capacity than most Optimas. I think I paid $86 apiece for them at Sam's Club. I think that they are about a year old. They still show 12.92 Volts after a day off of the charger (rest Voltage), which is incredible. When you go to buy batteries, bring a voltmeter so you can choose the freshest ones.

I think the secret to having good performance with batteries is to have a good tri-state charger, and leave it plugged in 24/7. I have a Minn Kota 220 for the trolling motor batteries, and a Minn Kota 110 for the starter battery.

I check the batteries every 4 months or so and haven't needed to even top them off. So they don't over charge at all. Also I once thought the charging voltage was off, but when I considered the ambient temperature the charging voltage was right on. So the temperature compensation really works.

When I got the chargers they were on sale. The good news is that I just received an email from Minn Kota and their chargers are on sale again. Go to their web site.

Steve

[bigbeariron]

X3 on the Interstates.

I just got rid of my first set of interstates after 5 years. I had horrible maintenance practices, and after 3 years they quit taking a charge. I poured all the battery acid out, and went to O'Reillys and bout a box of sulfuric acid. Refilled it to the proper concentration and got another 2 years out of them.

Finally replaced them for $76 a piece at The Boat Ramp in Groves, Tx

[Dawg]

Originally Posted by smooth move

i just bought a new troll batt from Golden Eagle Batteries in Alvin. they're reconditioned and less than 1/2 the price of new ones. bought 2 for my dodge cummins a year ago and so far they are doing great. i upgraded to a 36 volt troll motor, so i got the extra batt from them because some of my friends have done the same and are happy with the batteries.

X2 Bought 2 reconditioned AGM's there for $65 each a few years ago & they still outperform the blue top Optimas I had before.

[Smackdaddy53]

Look in the classifieds in the boats/motors/gear and theres a guy selling 31 series agms for $75 new. Im getting some. Hes got stacks of them


-mac-

[Fishwish]

My Optimas are 5 years old and going strong. As mentioned earlier, a 3 stage charger with at least 10 amps per bank on a 7x24 basis is the key to battery longevity. If you spend the $$$ for the batteries, be sure to do them justice with a good charger.