12 V Deep Cycle Battery Purchase

[nthomps66]

I need a new 12V trolling motor battery. Any advice on what to look for or where to go for a good buy? Sears, Batteries Plus, Fleet Farm???

[DTro]

I didn't have very good luck with my last FF battery. I've heard good things about the Interstate Brand.

[dan z]

the only thing that suks bout the interstates is thier price protected. so where ever you buy it they will be the same price. I have an interstate in the big rig and it rocks as hard I fish. love it. my parents also use one on the pop up camper. I have a srm27

[trackerbrent]

Most all store brands are made by Interstate. Wal-Marts, Sears and I believe FF are if you look in the small writing. I have had an Optima blue top and that was good, it lasted 4 years. Only problem it was $200. Now I just stick with the high mca deep cycle Walmart batteries. Only cost $75 and last me 2 seasons.

[fishin58]

I have got at least 4 years out of 3 different batteries from the Walmart brand, so in my book they are excellent.

[BobT]

Made by a manufacturer and having the same quality or workmanship may not always be the same.

In our business we see this all the time. For example, a name brand cereal product might repackage rejected product to be sold for store brands. In this case the rejects are just fine and are composed of the same material but they maybe aren't uniform size or shape and have been rejected for name brand but will be packaged for store brands and sold at a lower price.

When it comes to batteries the situation could be similar. For example, maybe the plate materials are the same but the plates maybe didn't meet the manufacturer's spec for uniform thickness, size, warped a little out of spec, or something that just doesn't add up to get their name put on. These could be the ones they use for the non-name brand. I don't know this for sure but it's possible. You might get a battery that works just as well or maybe not.

I have used Interstate and they work great. My only real suggestion is if you are not planning on using it as a starting battery, use a strictly deep-cycle battery and get the largest reserve capacity rated or highest amp-hour rating you can afford. If you will be using it to start your outboard then get a dual-purpose starting/deep-cycle battery. These are commonly listed as marine starting batteries. This type will better handle the load of starting your outboard as well as handle the slow steady draw from trolling motors. Again, get the largest reserve capacity rated you can afford.

Bob

[FM_Mike]

I also would recommend Interstate. I bought 2 27's and they have been rock solid for the last 2 years.

As for price... Look for a regional distributor they may cut you a deal. They did for me.

Mike

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Before my last fishing trip, I called the Walmart in Shakopee and was given the price of $65. I was rushed for time and happened to be in the neighborhood of the Bloomington store.

I ran in and bought several things for the trip, including the battery. Here's the kicker: I didn't check my receipt until two weeks later when I entered the charge into my account. The battery was more expensive at the Bloomington Walmart store by $13 then the Walmart in Shakopee.

I called the store and was told that they (Walmart) does not match the price of their other stores!

My advise: go to Shakopee Walmart if you want to get a better deal.

BTW: I could have returned the battery at Bloomington and drove to Shakopee to get one, but what a bother.

[jwhjr]

I've had good luck with both Walmart and FF batteries. I'm on my 4th season with my latest FF one.

[Sandmannd]

I've always had luck with my FF batteries.

[love2fish4ever]

How they are charged & taken care of makes a big difference, this includes between seasons. Charge them right away after use, use a charger with auto shut-off/maintain feature & keep them charged periodically through the winter storage months. This can add to the life. l2f

[muskie-mike]

Look for one made by Johnson Controls,used to make the one's for Walmart(now Exide).The ones I found at Costco are made by Johnson.I have three in my boat and going on year 10...

[dfv87]

I have had very good luck with mine from "Batteries Plus". I appreciate a business that has current batteries that are maintained before they are sold. When I walk out I have one ready to go. We picked up a battery last winter for a weekend trip to millelacs and used it for 2 mights running LED lights and fans in the perm fishhouse and then jump started 2 trucks with it Sunday Morning! That sold me forever.

[Whoaru99]

I bought two Group 31 Stowaway batteries at Sam's Club years ago. Used with an onboard charger that has a desulphation mode, these have gone about 8 years, maybe more now. It's been so long I've forgotten the exact age.

Put this way, my boat is a 1995, I bought it as a carryover in late 1996. Didn't have a trolling motor for the first year or two of use, and as far as I can remember, these are the only trolling motor batteries I've ever had in the boat.

They're still in my boat and working OK last time out.

[Hookmaster]

What brand and model of charger do you have?

[Whoaru99]

It is a MinnKota charger, but these specific models were discontinued several years ago. I think it is the original MK-330 or something like that. It has a bunch of external cooling fins on it.

It has charge settings for three or four different types of batteries and these different types can be selected with push buttons on a individual per-bank basis (it's a 3-bank charger 10A per bank).

If I recall correctly, the restore mode kicks in automatically every so often if you leave it plugged in all the time. Otherwise, that mode can be manually selected by holding down a specific combination of buttons for several seconds.