Battery Discussion VOTE

[bassbrad]

While I have seen discussion on about everything on these boards, what is the opinion on batteries for your boat. As a background I have a 2013 Nitro with three Interstate batteries. Just within this past year two have gone out already, the cranking battery died (I mean wouldn't even light the console light) on the way to a tournament. The nearest Interstate boat battery dealer is over an hour away in Lenoir City and they just have normal weekday hours. I have written Interstate but don't expect much so I am going to be in the process of replacing my batteries because I just don't trust them and you can't get service when you need it. Needless to say I have had all boat batteries over the last 30 or so years of owing a boat so I know how to maintain them correctly. So now I am having to look at spending $400 or more for batteries and am not happy.

Interstate are bad and no service makes them worse so I don't know why anyone would have them on their boat
Auto Zone are decent but service is a plus. They have long hours and can exchange and check your batteries for free
Don't know about
Wal Mart good return policy
Advance Auto are they the same as Auto Zone??
Others

 

[Punisher]

A/C Delco sealed battery at Ken Smith or Franklin Marine

 

[Oldman]

interstate

 

[SpeedFish]

Hawker. They were about 13 years old and still going strong when I sold my boat

 

[drumking]

Marine batteries at either Advanced or Auto Zone. I had an Interstate battery once that lasted 13 months and died. There will never be another one on my boat. emoTskTsk emoGeezer

 

[Mudman]

Don't get exide from acedemy. They go out after about a yr. AC Delco has best results

 

[slick]

yELLOW BATTERY AT wALLY wORLD 3 YRS. NO QUESTIONS 24/7

 

[elwestb]

drumking - 10/19/2014 5:11 AM

... I had an Interstate battery once that lasted 13 months and died. There will never be another one on my boat. emoTskTsk emoGeezer

Interstate Batteries are the worst, sorriest, pos excuse for a battery that I have ever encountered, period! As DK said never again! I had three in my boat when I bought it that were less than a year old. All three went out the next year. A total of about 18 months. Then stupid me I paid enough to Interstate on their pro rated warranty to have bought new batteries from someone else. They lasted about 18 months again. Interstate offered me another pro rate price to replace them and I declined. Since that time I have had Optimas. Yea, they are a bit more expensive but the three that I had each lasted over seven years. They were getting a little weak and I replaced them this past year, simply because I was having issues with a graph and thought that the batteries were causing the problem. It wasn't, it was a crack in a transducer cable. I also highly recommend the big Delcos. My Father wouldn't have any thing else for years and some of them he had for up to 7 years too. JMO!

 

[SlabDog]

I used to get the interstates at the store by the airport. Their prices went up over $30 each in 3 years which is how long the previous deep cycle batteries lasted. I went to Walmart and bought 2 DC Maxx batteries and they are still performing great. that was 3 1/2 years ago and I saved $40 per battery from the Interstate brand. I'll get the Everstart Maxx for everything now. They are made by Johnson Controls who makes a lot of brand name batteries.

 

[fishermn7]

I got duracells from batteries plus they are made by deka battery no issues so far and were easy on the wallet

 

[Fuzzy]

I just replaced my Maxx battery from Wal-Mart after 4 years. Would have got another but bought a "super start" group31 cranking battery from oriellys. We shall see but that 4 year old Maxx battery must have had an internal short. It was so hot I was getting scared to touch it...and I had removed it from the charger 4 hours prior !

 

[dragfish]

See AHyde at Hyde auto in Harrison. He got me a great deal on AC Delcoe-the only deep cycles I'll buy.
Interstate ripped my wife off on her truck battery-died after 8 months and depreciated the warranty. They were going to give her $25 bucks off of a new one! emoEnforce

 

[Gator]

AC Delco would be my pick and you can find them at SAMs Club.

 

[south599]

I have to go with the wally world brand. I think they are the best price per performance you can get and theres a wally world everywhere so replacement at short notice wouldnt be hard.they seem to get at least 3 years and often more than that. Plus johson controls has plants right here in the state.

 

[LuckyJ]

Auto zone marine they are great batt for the cash I have group 29 in my boat love them.

 

[Oldman]

i work there so i cant comment.

 

[drumking]

Oldman - 10/20/2014 2:31 PM

i work there so i cant comment.

emoUpsmile emoUpsmile emoUpsmile emoGeezer

 

[Carl Guffey]

<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">My poor quality walmart battery died on me this weekend. I have used it about 200 days a year for the last eight. I bought it on 03/06/2006. The key to good battery life has been taking care of it. I have not had to do any maintenace or anything else since I put it in. Just charged it every day it was used and kept check on water levels.</font>

 

[Smalliefan2]

I would to Wally world. The Everstarts are factory from Ranger. My second set are four years, and survived Saturdays wind fest in the CFF. The first set went four years also. Johnson Controls makes them, along with many other brands, so the decal on the outside does not reflect anything other than the retailer. I would look for convenience in purchase , return policy, etc. before buying.

 

[Benny]

4 years on interstate t motor 31 , stay all day in wind,but not good on motor i have 21 foot 225 m