Input needed: Trolling Motor Batteries

[bapperpimp]

I just bought a new 36V MinnKota trolling motor and am looking for opinions on what type of batteries to buy.

Has anybody had better luck with certain brands/types compared to others?

Or should a guy just go to their favorite mass sports retailer and pick one up?

[Mr.Seaguar]

Are you looking for 18v batteries or 12v or what exactly. I have had great luck with my 12v Interstate Megatrons and 12v Cabelas AGM. I dont know anything about higher voltage batteries.

[bapperpimp]

I am looking for 3 12V batteries.

[Lazy Mike]

A really good battery for the money is FleetFarm's Group 27 AGM made by East Penn. $155.95 each. The Cabelas brand has good specs, but be sure to check the terminals as you may need to change your leads to fit them?

[marine_man]

Several people have posted that some of Walmart's deep cycle batteries are Walmart branded, but made by Exide, and have had good luck with them.

marine_man

[bapperpimp]

Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it. Looks like I need to go shop at FF or Wally to see what they have.

Any other opinions?

[PerchJerker]

You need to pay attention to reserve capacity or the number of reserve minutes. Even though the Walmart batteries are cheaper they are much lower in the number of reserve minutes, ie. they won't last as long because there's not as much lead inside the battery. In Group 27 batteries you can get at least 3 different sizes (ie. reserve capacities) and that dictates the price.

I just put a new pair of Interstate deep cycle batteries in my boat.

[Whoaru99]

Dunno if they're made anymore, but I had excellent results with Stowaway brand.

I say dunno if they're made anymore because my last pair went eight years. It's been a long time since I last looked at battery brands.

Got them at Sam's Club, fwiw.

[Chef]

Exide makes a great line of marine batteries that last years and they're below 100 bucks each for the 1800 Minute reserve size Series 27. You can get them at most local Auto stores, like O'Reilly, Champion, Checker. JUst Google Exide and look for a local distrubutor on their web site.