Where do you get your flasher batteries?

[Love2Cabin]

I have bought them at the local bait store but they never even make it a year.

I think maybe they do not do enough volume and they sit around a little too long.

Thought about Gander but not sure about the brand they carry.

What have you had good luck with?

I know that Sears Diehards are great in the truck and boat but don’t think they make them in the flasher and camera size.

Thanks

[ishy]

I believe maintenance is key to life of the battery. Make sure they stay charged or "maintained" during the off season. And use them during prime time. Too many times we buy new batts and do not take care of them. I am one of those people. I am learning and can tell you first hand. If they are used and maintained they last much longer. My last two were from a farm on the fleet and they have been good to me.. My 2 pennies....

[goose89]

I believe maintenance is key to life of the battery.

Agreed. Get a 9amp "vexilar" (any brand) battery and a "smart charger". The smart charger will turn off when the battery is charged and prevent "cooking" it. Charge after each outing, or as soon as possible, and you'll greatly increase the battery life. The 9amp will cost a bit more, but you're chances of draining it decrease. A drained battery that isn't recharged, or a battery left over a long period without full charge won't recharge. I've gotten 3-4 yrs out of mine, but I'm pretty religious about keeping em charged. The key is maintenance!! not what or where you buy it.

[amateurfishing]

1 came with my portable HB pack,bought 3 @ FF on dirt cheap sale for $10 (normally 25). keep'em charged once a month ish just like any other battery not getting regular use, nic to have backups if i will ever need them. my showdown troller & hb porta pack each came with charges so that is what i use to charge with.

[Jarrod32]

What goose89 said is important...get a smart charger that will shut off and maintain the battery when hooked up. Those cheap chargers will just keep pumping power in, even when the battery is charged, causing it to overcharge and ruin the battery.

And if you can't find the battery in a sporting goods department, find a farm supply section and check in the electric fencing supplies...you will find the same batteries.

[TruthWalleyes]

I got my last one at Reeds south of Mille Lacs. 19.99 for the 9ah battery. Cheapest i've seen.

[Love2Cabin]

Thanks guys, yes I agree that maintenance is everything. I have the smart chargers and I also take them out and give them a fresh charge a few times each summer. The key part that I was looking for is starting out with a good battery and not one that has been sitting around for a year or two half charged. I always seem to get at least 3 years on the new ones that come with the flasher or camera. I will probably go to FF I'm guessing they turn over their batteries at a pretty good rate. Thanks again.

[LightningBG]

I get mine at FF too.

[mrklean]

got my at Fleet also

[paceman]

Fleet Farm.

[kerryd15]

I bought one a couple years ago on a trip. bought at a bait shop, charged it over night with a smart charger and the next day it never worked. I think if they are on the shelf too long, they are shot. It never did take a charge. Too far away to take it back.

[Bryce]

Amazon. $45 for two 9ah's shipped to my door. Was kind of in a hurry and didn't spend much time searching for free shipping. Could save about $10 finding that.

[Northlander]

I get my 9amp batteries at my local Interstate shop. They seem to last better than other cheaper batteries and the service I get at my Superior. Wi. store cant be beat.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Usually a farm supply store has reasonable prices. Bought most of my batteries out of the "electric fence" supply area. Same battery buy the ice fishing stuff was $10-$5 more

[herefish101]

I bought my last two batteries at fleet farm, and both are junk, and I charge them after every time out. I too am looking for a good battery like the one that came with my LX5, it was only a 7ah but it held a charge longer than the FF 9ah batteries, and it lasted three years. Currently the best battery I have came out of an emergency back up light from my work. There are no markins on it execept for 12v and its lighter than the others, but it works great.

I like the interstate idea, I am also going to look at Batteries Plus. I like the idea of starting with a fresh new battery.

[Love2Cabin]

Great advice, Interstate makes great batteries. I think I will give them a visit. I did check sears but they did not have any in this style. They did have ones for ATV's though.

[lazyhounedaleth]

gel battery from humminbird, but got them on hsolist ...one charge last me about a month ...no kidding these battery's are great..

[Ice_hunter]

I get mine from the local bait store and have had great luck with his batteries.

[Coon]

Found mine (7amp) on Amazon.com this year

[fishinmedic]

Had to chime in on this one. If anyone works with computers (i.e., larger company, hospital) check with the people that do the maintenance on the battery back supply's (i.e., Uninterrupted power source, UPS) they (or most) use a compatible battery, that's where I get mine and haven't had a problem yet. The come in a variety of amperages. And they throw them away (legally of course, recycle), so take a volt meter to work one day, and find the best ones. Most places I'm told rotate these on a fixed time schedule whether they need replacement or not.

[dan z]

Batteries plus gets my vote, buy most of my batteries there and there service is top notch atleast the guys here in town are top notch.

[amateurfishing]

what is a "smart" charger? is it the same kind that come with a portable pack like HB's or something else?

[carpshooterdeluxe]

smart chargers sense the voltage on the battery and stop charging when it hits "full charge".