My trolling motor battery is on it's last leg. I'm leaning towards either an Optima or Deka. I run a single battery (old one is a size 27 Interstate). Any recommendations on a new one?
i picked up 2 deka-made shop brands (name escapes me) last year. They are the D31s i think. They are great batteries and i think i only paid 80$ a piece which is pretty substantial when compared to the price of an optima.
Remember where you bought them?
I've been running delco voyagers for years. Last year went to group 31's. The best things about them is that they have an great run time and are a sealed battery, thus NO maintance. I've heard that the deca batteries are very good and have about 5 years of life with hard use. I've been getting 4 years with the delcos.
I think the best thing you can do to extend the life is the battery charging system. My on board puts out 15 Amps per battery. The deep cycle batteries need the high amps to get the plates cleaned and provide you the power needed on those windy days on the big water.
A couple of years ago I was at a trade show and a opitma rep was there. I questioned him about the different batteries on the market. He had high praises for the deca and voyager, he even said that for the money the optima was probably third. They all ranked about the same with the deca best. Never did understand why he didn't push his brand, except he fished tx's on the California delta and new what the tx fisherman needed.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the three. Just try to get the 31 size.
REEL MAN
I just use the Everstart batteries from Wal-Mart. They've done me just fine. Plus I have to have 3 of them for my trolling motor so it doesnt hurt the pocket book so much.
Reel Man, the marina that I give my regular business to told me 5 amp per bank was recommended. Thanks, now I have to go argue with him after I research it a bit! :P ;) 8)
B
i got mine at A-1 electric in GR - its off of Turner right by the Ann St. exit of 131. The shop brand was called Transcontinental i beleive.. they have the same model numbers as the dekas... i bought 2 so the guy knocked to price down to 80 for me.
I'm replacing my Everstarts this year with the AGM Dekas. No maintenance, no plate fouling like the lead acids. Going with Group 31's as well. Bad news, the AGm's are pricey, but give many years of heavy usage. I'd like to know if the ones listed below for $80 are AGM's, cause that would be a smoking price - they retail for around $200 each.
I've heard that the gel batteries require special charging. Is that true?
REEL MAN
I have been running Deka AGM's in my boat for 5 years. REEL_MAN could tell you that I use my boat and my trolling motor a lottttt. I prefish for BFL's up to five days before form early morning til dark and I have yet to run them dry. I have 31's and will not fit in all battery trays so make sure you have the room for 31's. I had to get new tray. I would say that 27's or 29's in the AGM's will do all you need so don't be afraid of them. They are very heavy batteries, I believe my 31's weigh-in at 81 pounds a piece! They may slow your boat a little, but they will pay for themselves out on the water. They also take shock well and require no maintenance. I used to use the Everstarts from Walmart and I went through at least one a year and sometimes both after getting beat up on Erie. If you ask some of my coanglers they will tell you that I do not drive my boat hard at all and I am very easy on my equipment, but the batteries would still fail. Just my 2 cents God Bless!
no - they weren't the AGMs. i have a 36v trolling motor... so buying 3 agms wasn't an option at the time. i run the 2 31s and then a walmart everstart as the 3rd battery and can run for a LONNGG TIME. :)
Only reason i didn't get 3 of the 31s was because i had a 24v and then upgraded at the tail end of the season to the 36v so i just tossed in a spare battery to complete the circuit to get me through the season.
Rufus,
Rememer I know you and your equipment :D My Ranger ;D came with trays that fit a 31 battery. I went to the voyager 31's last year and never ran out of juice and fished the current alot. I think the biggest factor is the capacity of the batteries. If you don't have room for the 31's a person must make the room. How do you charge your deka's, standard on board charger?
REEL MAN
I spoke with Dual-pro, who makes the onboard chargers for ranger, and they said their chargers are no problems for AGM batteries. I was concerned there was some differeent charging requirements that were needed, but that is not the case.
In addition, they said Odyssey, Deka and Delco were the AGM batteries of choice.
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