Had my first dead battery situation yesterday while fishing Douglas lake. I had to switch out a trollilng motor battery to get back to shore. The cranking battery is right at 3 years old as well as both trolling motor batteries. The cranking battery is an Optima AGM Deep Cycle & Starting battery - CA 870, CCA 750, RC 120. The 2 trolling motor batteries are Odyssey Extreme PC1700 - CCA 875, PHCA 1700, RC 142. I keep all three batteries charged up/plugged in with a Bass Pro Shops XPS (ProMariner) 15 Amp Triple Bank Marine Battery Charger. This battery/charger set up came with the boat several years ago and was practically brand new at the time. I'm not even close to being an expert/knowledgeable about electrical systems in boats so I was wondering if any of you would share if this set up is ok? What would work better with what I have? Etc. I have a 1988 Norris Craft 1750 XL vee with a 1986-88 Mercury Blackmax 150 XR2. I run a Lowrance Elite 7 a the bow (but changing to Helix in near future), a Helix 9 Chirp Mega SI GPS G2N at console (first use and cranking battery went dead), bilge pump, 6 Rigid Industries Led deck lights, Maxxum 80lbs thrust trolling motor, and Rigid Industries night spot light. I don't run any livewells because my brother and I don't fish tournaments. Let me know what batteries and charging system would work best for this set up. And please don't say Lithium because if I could afford those I'd have a newer boat lol. However, I am not opposed to spending good money on AGM no maintenance type batteries since they will probably run no higher than $450 each for my needs. Thanks.
Boat Batteries - Any Suggestions?
- Thread starter JohnnyG
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Floatingphil
Well-known member
Academy has a group 31 agm cranking battery that is a monster. I think I paid $260 or $280 tax and all. Can’t remember the model number off hand.
I have three Optima D31-M (MCA 1125; CCA 900; RC 155) I also have two Helix 10 Chirp Mega SI GPS G2N with no issues. When I can find someone to install, I plan on getting the Tournament Saver Pro elite battery jumper system. It could prevent a lot of grief. If anyone knows of someone that does this kind of work, please let me know. Thanks.
Oldman
Well-known member
wally world
The sears branded batteries were the best I ever had. They used to have some AGM marine batteries and I had a cranking battery I ran for 5 years and sold with the boat last year. Most battery chargers give a “warning light” if you have a battery going out or one of the charger banks.
TightlineT
Well-known member
Interstate batteries on shallowford road. I have less than $200 in 3 batteries. Swapped trolling batteries out this year after 5 years. They rebuild them and so far I have had no problems.
AirrusBoy
Well-known member
Picked up my last interstates from Costco. Been good so far.
FishingwithRusty
Well-known member
http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=94611&posts=15&start=1
they make a 24v version
they make a 24v version
silvertalon
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I am now running that AGM battery too (Exide Megatron). Incredible. I now keep all 4 locators on and never need to worry.
silvertalon
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You really shouldn't have any issues with that Optima crank battery even after 3 years tho, I've heard of some that do go bad. Your set-up sounds like a good one. If you question your charger, try hooking up a small individual 10 amp charger to each battery and see what it takes to top them off. They shouldn't take much if that xps charger is doing its job. The XR2 Merc probably has the 13 amp stator so you're not getting much of a return charge when the engine is running. You probably need a new crank battery. And once your batteries are topped off, unplug that charger.
Floatingphil
Well-known member
Yep. Graphs and pumps running all day and motor starts right up at the end of the day.
danrnsmyth
Well-known member
I had a Optima Blue top go stone dead at four years without a lot of discharges or recharges so I bought two sears diehard platinum 31 series and a new interstate starting battery and they charge quickly and hold up well.Those have been my go to setup for affordable batteries. But they are heavy and I would love to have the Li-Po battery and I know they require a different charger but the weight difference is probably 80 percent. I put LI-po batteries (instead of the heavy nickel cadiumn)into my sons RC airplanes and turned a old balsa wood Cessna model plane we built into an F18 jet ...
Thanks for all the input. After some research I found that my Odyssey Extremes for my trolling motor are great workhorse batteries so I’ll stick with them as they seem to work great. I did replace the Optima yellow with the Optima Blue D31-M. I have a Minn Kota Precision 345PC onboard charger on the way. I also redone most of the terminal connections on my accessories wires as they were in very bad shape - also heat shrinked and sealed. So we’ll see how it goes. Thanks again.