Trolling Motor Batteries

[snagger]

I'm in the market for a new Minn Kota Terrova 80. Currently, I have the cheap Fleet Farm trolling motor batteries. My plan is to wear these things out then get new and better ones. What type and brand of battery do you guys recommend?

[gunner55]

I prefer Exide or Interstate in at least a size 27 series.The biggest that will fit in your case/compartment.If you have a choice spend a little more as it's uaually worth it.

[EBass]

Optima Blue Top - this will be year 5.

[RebelSS]

Interstate Group 27M.

[delcecchi]

I'm in the market for a new Minn Kota Terrova 80. Currently, I have the cheap Fleet Farm trolling motor batteries. My plan is to wear these things out then get new and better ones. What type and brand of battery do you guys recommend?

What makes folks believe that the more expensive batteries are more durable than the FF batteries? I think pretty much all lead acid batteries in the country are made by like three companies.

I was going to check the Consumer Reports ratings for car batteries to see if there were any big differences but site is down for maintenance

Anyway, if you are buying a flooded type regular deep cycle battery, is there any objective information as to why one would be better than another?

[Chris Barlage]

I am going on year number 4 on my cheap FF deep cycles. They have never let me down in that time.

[h8go4s]

Del, you hit the nail on the head. As long as the specs on the battery are the same, I doubt anyone could differentiate performance and life among batteries from Wal-Mart, FF, Costco, etc. How you use and maintain your batteries are the more likely factors. Figure the cost per year. I'll take a $100 battery that lasts 5 years over a $200 battery that lasts 8 years.

[amateurfishing]

couple years ago I was in same situation, was trying to get quality/longevity best bang for buck scenario based on opinions here. most will recommend interstate (which I went with) or optima (lots more). some will recommend cheaper brands (I have experience with wallys that is not beneficial to anyone). will be year 3 for my interstates.

[SkunkedAgain]

I ran 7 years on my cheap FF battery, and that was with irregular charging cycles and deep discharges. Now I've got a pair of cheap Interstates that Gander had on sale last season. So far so good.

[jerkbait]

I had the Resolutes from FF since 2001 in my boat. 1 died last year and the other is still going strong. I have been using it in my fish house all winter.

[waterwolff]

I just replaced my 6 year old group 27's Interstates that still load checked ok with new Interstates.

I went with group 29's this go around

[BigSwen]

I am a huge fan of the Cabelas AGM trolling motor batteries. I have used my current set for 7 years and just bought another set because I think they have to wear out sometime. I have not removed them from the boat in all that time. You leave them charged in the fall, let them freeze and no issues at all. I like to go troll around the first time out to get a good draw on them and then fully charge and have at it. I too run an 80 Terrova.

[my4x4yj]

Just as delcecchi stated, all lead acid batteries are made at one of three plants, only the labels are changed, same thing for appliances. The thing to look for is the manufacture date, not a problem at the larger stores because they usually move a larger inventory but some smaller stores may have had the battery setting on the shelf for awhile. The other more important thing is after using your batteries hard, get them charged fully before letting them set for long periods, had a battery guy tell me what happens inside the battery but I can't remember the big words he used but over time something builds up and reduces the amount of charge, amps, the battery holds.

[delcecchi]

You might be thing of Sulfation.

[Hookmaster]

+1 on the Cabelas AGMs. I'm on my second set but got 10 years on the first. I am using a pair of the group 24 for my 24 volt 60# thrust Minnkota bowmount on a 17 foot Lund Angler. The group 24 rates almost the same as the group 27 powerwise but weigh less. I have been very mappy with them and fish big water and they have always lasted all day.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I used the FF batteries for years and had (zero) problems with them and they held up much better then the Interstate batteries that I had in my boat a couple of years ago.

I have been using the group 29 Energizer batteries from Sam's Club the past two years now and have had very good performance from them.

Cliff

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

One from FF and another from Wally World in my boat. A have PD 55 auto pilot with co-pilot motor, so it is a 12v system. The second battery is a spare and I alternate between them (when I remember).

I've had the FF battery for what seems like forever! No problems at all. The one from Wally is newer, but still at least 4 years old, again, no issues.

I charge them after an outing then I put them on a battery maintainer that I got at Northern. It only gives them what they need to stay fully charged and never boil the water out, which can happen with leaving your charger on them all the time. The maintainer also conditions them. Cost was about $50, but they go on sale occasionally.

"BatteryMINDer® Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator System features a SmarTECHnology™ plug 'n run 1.5 Amp battery charger/maintainer with full-time automatic pulse desulfator that can help extend a battery's life up to 4 times its normal life. Ideal for charging, maintaining or recovering 12V flooded, sealed, maintenance-free, starter, deep-cycle, AGM and marine batteries."

[alumamusky]

Like mentioned earlier all batteries are pretty much made by the same manufacturer, don't get caught up with names. Go somewhere that sells a lot of batteries to make sure you get a "new" battery. Most places don't sell a lot of deep cycle batteries, that is why I go to FF and don't break the bank buying high priced names that could be a year old on the shelf. Also charge them up right away as mentioned earlier so corrosion (or sulfation)doesn't start on the plates. I bought a high priced one from a parts store and it was two years old on the shelf, I didn't even take it home.