battery brand and charger

[bucketmouth64]

I think I need to replace all 3 of my batteries. I have a choice of ever start, exide, or deka where I live. Never heard of deka, and is ever start and exide the same or is one better than the other?

How long on average should a battery take to charge on a car charger? How do you know if battery is bad when it's charging? I've charged my batteries(cranking and deep cycle) for several hours and charger hasn't indicated full charge(needle stays around 75%), so I was wondering if this is an indication that the battery needs replacing. Batteries are 4-5 years old.

[jac714]

All I can do is relate my experience which is that I use Die Hard Marine Deep Cycle batteries for my Trolling motor. I have been very happy with them, I use a Minn Kota dual bank charger adn charge after each use.

I get about 3 to 4 years out of a set of batteries. I use the boat about 4 to 5 days a week during the summer and 2 to 3 days a week during fall adn spring.

Most batteries in the country are made by one company (I think it is Gould but am not positive) so there are really minimal differences between the various traditional flooded cell batteries.

The AGM and other specialty batteries are very different in cost adn performance. The big time pros are starting to use Lithium Ion batteries but they cost about $1500 each if I remember correctly.

Good luck, I would recommend an on-board charger that has multiple stage charging. The Minn Kota I have charges in 3 different ways depending on the level of charge.

[highlife4me]

I would look for an Interstate battery dealer in your area. Many auto repair/tire shops carry Interstates and can order you a battery if they don't have one on hand. Usually only takes a day or two. I have had one in my boat for six years plus I use it in the wheel house in the winter too. I haven't noticed any loss of performance yet either. I only need one battery for my boat so I just use a portable charger, but if I had 3 batteries I would definitely look into an onboard charger like mentioned above.