Battery for trolling motor

[RebelSS]

4 minutes ago, gunner55 said:

Kind of what I thought too. So many different brands that they all couldn't possibly be the same.Even the same type & size have different specs.Before we left the cabin the last time L & M had a whole pallet of size 27 deep cycle(Duralast) on 1 of their endcaps for $73. I looked last spring & about the only place I could find Interstate batteries in Grand Rapids was at Ace Hardware & ours was $110 - $120. Sometimes I think that how long they set on the shelf plays a role too.

Oh, it does. Tip: Always look at the manufacture date on that batt before buying...they're stamped on all of them...

[delcecchi]

Actually, the cheapest thing for the manufacturer is to only have a few models, perhaps in different colors and case designs, that are sold to all but the very largest customers.  L&M, Fleet Farm, Batteries Plus, and similar stores certainly are not big enough to get some sort of custom battery, as opposed to Walmart or the auto companies.  The only thing custom is the case.

And there is no reason for most of those retailers to want something special.  Walmart cares about a few cents per battery, but L&M doesn't sell enough to pay the design and tooling charges or deal with the inventory issues that result.  (neither do the other stores). 

[DLD24]

I'm going to buy a new deep cycle from L&M do you guys think I would be fine wiring it in with my other battery  (it's the same size from 2014)  or would that harm the new battery??

[gunner55]

We've done that, in fact we keep a extra set of cables in the battery compartment to change it from 12v to 24v, parallel vs series. We have a 24v that we use on the transom sometimes.Some here will tell you that you should have 2 batteries the same age or it may harm the new battery. We didn't find that to be true & you will  definitely get longer run time with 2 hooked up as 12 v

[Might_B_A_Pike]

Costco has size 27 Interstates for under $80, that is the best deal I have found

 

[BartmanMN]

On 4/4/2016 at 7:48 AM, RebelSS said:

Oh, it does. Tip: Always look at the manufacture date on that batt before buying...they're stamped on all of them...

Agree. When I purchased my new Interstates from the Interstate Battery store in Eden Prairie the owner made sure to grab me the newest ones from the shelf.

 

 

[RebelSS]

54 minutes ago, Might_B_A_Pike said:

Costco has size 27 Interstates for under $80, that is the best deal I have found

 

Boy, that IS a deal! 

[Mid-Lake Rock]

On April 4, 2016 at 7:48 AM, RebelSS said:

Oh, it does. Tip: Always look at the manufacture date on that batt before buying...they're stamped on all of them...

Tip: most manufacturers use a letter for the month and one number for the year.  A=January, B=February, etc.  C6 = March 2016.

I've been very satisfied with batteries from Fleet Farm.  This time of year they get large shipments of new batteries, typically manufactured in March or April.    

[gunner55]

They're already on their 2nd pallet, must be at least 75 maybe 100,of size 27 deep cycle marine batteries at L&M in Grand Rapids. The 1st stack didn't even last a month..........$73

[Cooperman]

L & M has # 27 Durastart deep cycle on sale this week for $67.95 and a $10.00 rebate final price $57.95. Regular price is $72.95. Same deal on starting batteries.

[SledNeck]

Deka. A great American made battery.

 

 

 

 

 

L & M has the worst batteries Ive ever seen. Good God, its a running joke around here.

[gunner55]

We bought 1 Tuesday(L & M) & it says Exide on the side. Most of the 1st pallet in GR were bought by locals as it was gone by the middle of April, FWIW. A little TLC & we get 5-6 seasons, if not more, out of ours