Batteries

[JMichael]

I know some of you do not care for walmart batteries, but I have had good luck with them whether it's in my boat or on my lawnmower as long as I keep a battery maintainer connected when not in use. Just getting the boat ready to start another season of fishing when I discovered my starter battery had died. That told me I better check my trolling battery before it was time to get on the lake. Sure enough it was dead also.



As you can see, the mfg date was 12/12. I purchased it March of 2013. So here it is dead 7 years later. The starter battery was a much smaller size Everstart that I got that same year. Not bad for discount batteries IMO.

 

[Jim]

That is awesome! I need to replace mine this year as well. Not looking forward to spending the money though.

 

[DaleH]

FYI, Walmart batteries are made by Johnson Controls, as in the SAME company that owns and makes Optima gel cel batteries. I use them (Wallyworld batteries) and always get > 5-years out of them. To me they are a battery 'Best Buy' for sure!

Have never had one die before that time either, but as on my larger saltwater boats, I swap them out, rotating in a new one every other year, so at most they'll always be a newer battery on board. I keep the old ones around for sump pump 'backups' and/or emergency lighting or for emergencies, etc. Then I trade the oldest one in for the next core exchange ... but have had some 8-years old still holding a charge.

 

[JMichael]

I'm a bit ashamed to say it but mine might have lasted longer if I had bothered to check the acid level once in a while. When I pulled it out I popped the caps off and could see the dry tops of the plates in 4 cells.

 

[Rivernut]

I have owned many Walmart deep cycle marine batteries. I only buy them when I’m in a pinch. They usually last me a few years. I have 4 “old” Batteries in my Gator V8 jet bass boat. Three are 15 year-old m-31 AGM Sears Platinum (made by Odyssey) deep cycle trolling motor batteries. The cranking battery is an Interstate gel battery That is an estimated 22 years old. All work great. I fish a lot of whitewater and thick weed areas. I attribute their longevity to topping them off with my on-the-fly Stealth Charger. My boat has a 100 Amp alternator which tops off all 4 whenever the 350 chevy is running.

 

[jethro]

I've has good luck with Interstate batteries and they aren't a whole lot more expensive than the Walmart brands. In my mind they all will last pretty good if you take care of them and maintain them. I just had to buy 3 group 31 deep cycles for my 36v trolling motor.

 

[UP BOATER]

Yeah I have been getting around 8 years out of the Wally World batteries also.

 

[CarlPerkins]

I’m not sure if you can get them but I’m in England and use Optima Yellowtops on my boat.
Never looked back

 

[81 Mr. Pike]

I have had very good longevity with Dura Start marine starting batteries. I've had y current Dura Start for 6 years. I forgot and left it in the boat over winter so it was stone dead when I brought it in to charge yesterday, but it took a full charge so I'll see how it holds charge I guess. I have always used Interstate deep cycle batteries and had good luck.

 

[WVfishnfool]

I’ve been using the Duracell AGM batteries made by East Penn Manufacturing(Deka Batteries) located in Pennsylvania. Sam’s Club sells them at a decent price and I’ve had nothing but good fortune with them. Family owned/American made product which is hard to find in a battery anymore. Most of them come from Mexico.

 

[gnappi]

I just bought their largest deep cycle battery for my solar array. I plan on adding another one later on. The closest I can get in a "better" AGM is over $300 and I'll take my chances wit a $99 battery and see.