Looking for suggestion for a new lead/acid battery

[Victor Cerabone]

One of my three batteries is dead.  I'm looking for suggestion on a new one.  I have been using BPS brand on that spot and have not been impressed with the durability.  I am looking for lead acid/only.  Any suggestions guys?

Thanks,

Vic

[djkimmel]

Save yourself some time and get Deka Marine Master. I have gotten 5 full years out of each set of 3 size 31s that I have used for years now without 1 failure. I'm on my 3rd set and into the 6th season.

Since I fish a lot less now, I'm not going to swap them out this year. They have size 24, 27 and 31 in deep cycle and deep cycle/dual purpose for starting outboards. I have the dual purpose since I only have room for 3 batteries and have a 24/36 trolling motor.

Back when I still fished over 130 days a year, I swapped them out after 5 seasons even though each time I swapped them out, they were showing no noticeable signs of weakening and still lasted all day regardless of wind and current.

Where to buy

[Waterfoul]

You need to tell us what you want the new battery to do?  Start the motor and run electronics?  Run the trolling motor?

If you need a new deep cycle and you are running a 24 volt trolling motor you should consider replacing both batteries... one new one and one "good" one will not last as long as 2 new ones.  The "good" one will put a load on the new one and shorten it's life.

If you need a new starting/electronics battery I suggest the new Deka 27M6 battery.  It was designed to meet the specs that Mercury requires for all their bigger outboards.  It's 1050 MCA and 182 reserve minutes.  It's listed as a "Starting battery/High Reserve" battery.  I just bought one for my boat.  It has higher MCA and reserve minutes than a group 31 Dual Purpose battery.  You can get one at any West Marine store (you may have to order it though).

[bigmojet]

I bought a new Battery Minder battery chargerthis winter thst is supposed to take the sulphate off the battery plates by pulsing the battery over a period of time. I have let it run on my 3 & 5 year old Walmart batteries and is supposed to bring them back to like new condition.

Well see it it worked come Saturday.

[Victor Cerabone]

Thanks for the responses guys.

The battery is to replace one of my three TM batteries.  I run a CSI charger and I feel that the maintence setting on this charger boils these batteries over a long period.  I have now taking the approach of turning it off once they are charged from a day on the water and turning it on every week to maintain.

@waterfoul - I agree that the best approach is to replace all three, however the cost is an issue for me.  I will check out the other two with a hydrometer before I decide to upgrade only one.  Thanks for the tip on Deka.

@Dan - I wil check out Deka. 

I now have a Sears Diehard PM1 AGM for my big motor and electronics.  I just installed this last year.  A livewell full of green fish with the side imaging running all day would kill my starting battery when fishing a little inland lake.  Not a problem with this big battery.

Vic

[djkimmel]

For Great Lakes anglers, I always recommend size 31 for all batteries. It's been so long, I barely remember, but I can't faintly remember because it was always a sinking feeling - to be running out of juice before the end of a fishing day. Especially in a tournament! Hated that feeling. I've never had it once since I switched to Deka.

I don't go by any charger claims as far as leaving them on all the time to trickle. I charge until they are fully charged and then remove the charger. About once a month over the winter I put them on the charger overnight again and remove it in the morning.