Best Deep Cycle and Crank Battery

[black_sheep]

Guys,

Looking at upgrading my batteries.

1. Deep Cycle battery for my Minn Kota RT55 - currently running Trojans (130amp hr). Reasonably impressed and batteries were lasting me 4+ yrs. I seem to be getting more like 2-3 yrs lately (since they changed manufacturer).

2. Crank battery for my Mercury 50hp 4-stroke - have always run Century 600(crank amps). Seem to be getting about 3 yrs which is about normal.

I haven't had any experience with Gel batteries but have heard a lot of positive feedback. Last time I looked into it which was a few years ago, they weren't cheap and was hard for me to justify the cost but beleive they have come down considerably.

Does anyone recommend a battery in particular for either deep cycle or cranking use that won't break the bank but is very reliable???


Thanks
Navi

[roydsy]

I was going to recommend Trojans... i also have 2x 130amp trojans running my 24v motorguide W75.

They seem like a great battery.

[Marlin_Mike]

Sea Master for the Merc crank battery IMHO. Always had them very reliabnle long alsting

mike

[Dunco]

Another post "Batteries" is still going. have a look

[black_sheep]

Thanks for all reponses. I will check out the other post thanks Dunco.

Roydsy, I have Trojans and am happy with them but haven't seen what's new on the market in the last 3-4yrs. I will stick with the Trojans though if I'm not convinced otherwise.

Cheers
Navi

[wheezer]

hey Navi, went down this road recently, had a 130ah trojan running my minn kota, it died a premature death due to sulphation from lack of use, only got about 18 months out of it. did plenty of research and enquiries with battery shops and ended up getting another 130ah trojan. only had it a couple of months but it has survived being upside down in the water for most of a night when my boat overturned while tied up with seemingly no ill affects. trojan distributor said to expect 3-4 years out of them with this sort of use. seriously looked at going gel, but it seems to me that they are alot bigger for a similair capacity and i was restricted for space in fact the trojan is a perfect fit, couldn;t have gone any bigger

[driveon]

Hi black_sheep, there are advantages and disadvantages to using different types of batteries but before you go changing the type of batteries, if you were getting good use from the batteries your were using, has anything changed in the way you use them.

Are you leaving them for longer periods between use or when using them are you running them for longer periods resulting in the batteries being discharge lower than you use to.

If you know of some changes in the way you are using them then you may be able to cater for these changes.

As mentioned by wheezer, sulfation is a prime cause of batteries dying prematurely.

Simply making sure the batteries are fully charged and more importantly, kept them charged when not in use, can make a big difference to how long they last, both in years before needing to be replaced but also how long they will run before needing recharging.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to keep them charged while their not in use. A decent solar trickle charger will keep them in good condition between uses but you need to make sure the batteries are fully charged before you use a solar trickle charger to maintain the charge state of the batteries.

If the batteries are stored near a 240 VAC supply then a small two stage battery charger will work wonders for extending a battery’s operating life and by small I mean a charge of no more than 1 to 2 amps is all that’s needed, particularly if the batteries are left for a week or so between uses.

Just some suggestions, Cheers

[black_sheep]

WHEEZER - I'm sticking with the Trojans for now. I have 4 and 2 are still good for another 2 yrs (fingers crossed). I received a post from someone saying that Trojans have gone up in price and they recently paid $401 for their SCS225 (130AMP HR). Bit exxy as I paid half that 18mths ago.

I am going to try a AGM battery for cranking my petrol motor.

Driveon - thanks for all the info. I do believe that the issues we've had with limited battery life has been compounded by insufficient or inappropriate charging. Previously using a boost charger to top up batteries after a session. Prior to the next trip, would top them up again. "Has anything changed in the way we using the batteries" - probably haven't done as many trips over the last 2 yrs.

I am lashing out on a $600 battery maintenance system which you have your batteries permanently connected to and it will boost, trickle, discharge etc depending on usage. I beleive this is what is need to get the best life out of my deep cycles. Bit dear but rather spend $600 up front then getting new batteries every 2 yrs.

Thanks again for all your replies.

[nipsta]

i have a acdelco 105 amp deep cycle cost $192 it a calcium sealed maintence free and seems ok so far you can also get a 115 amp for about $220 i run a 44lb watersnake with it and a good cranking batery shhould cost around the same my acdelco has 550 cca