Trolling motor battery

[skippy]

I am looking to buy a new battery for my trolling motor, which has a 55lb thrust. I was just looking for some opinions on which to buy and why. I have been looking at Optima's but not sure which one to get. I fish only lakes where electric is allowed and am looking for the best battery, Thanks.

[gwl2oneida]

I use interstate, they key to battery life is to always keep in a trickle charge.

[acabtp]

interstate all the way
optimas are high priced garbage

[catfishonthelake]

interstate all the way
optimas are high priced garbage

Second that. Interstate group 29.

[UglyStick]

I agree with these guys - Interstate is the way to go. I use:

Interstate PRO-27M (front trolling motor)
Interstate SRM-24 (Cranking, accessories, rear trolling motor with A/B switch)
Optima D34M (Cranking, accessories, rear trolling motor with A/B switch)

Different sizes due to mounting space requirements and the Optima b/c I had it already when I got my current boat. With these I can take my 16' deep V out on an electric only lake for a 12 hr day and not need to dip into the third battery (second one off the A/B switch for the rear trolling motor)

I agree that always keeping them on a trickle charge (when not in use on the boat) is key. For longevity, it is also important to get them back on the charge asap after using them and making sure they come back to a full state before using them again. Also, use a high quality charger specifically designed for this (i.e., not the Harbor Freight special). If you are going to mount the charger in the boat, be sure to get a marine spec one since they are designed to take the vibration where as a normal Battery Tender isn't.

IMHO - Look at the specs and sizes and get the battery with the highest RC (run time) that you can fit and makes sense for your application.

[jimmythegreek]

I have 2 boats and 4 batteries in each boat, I did ALOT of research on batteries and what they do.......Most batteries are the SAME manufacturer with different labels, they are ususally DEKA made in same factory. When it comes to deep cycle batteries the most important rating is AMP HOURS, thats how long the battery will put out. The 2 biggest output batteries that are local are the batteries plus 29 series and the walmart 29 series, the cheap walmart one has a few more amp hours than the maxx does but maxx has 2 year warranty. look at the amp hours more than the brand name because u fish electric only lakes this is most important, especially if you have 1 battery and if its running sonar even more so...also u MUST keep your receipt for any warranty, otherwise they will do nothing for you....but batteries plus keeps ur info on a computer and covers all their stores, I put 3 deep cycle 29s in my new crestliner this year and 1 dual purpose 29 sealed-GEL battery from batteries plus and im very impressed

[Hoop79d]

Lee Battery.....Deep Cycle. Best battery on the market, save for perhaps an optima in some applications. Thicker plates of a higher quality than other retail batteries. But really, like mentioned above, with proper care and maintenance you should see five good years from a decent battery (read: not Die Hard)

[RWole]

I have been using the sears die hard deep cycle.
I buy the largest offered (do not remember off hand the size)
and they last and with a semi deep v bass boat on the sheds
in the wind these batteries hold up like no other battery I have
used.

[bigfishy]

interstate all the way
optimas are high priced garbage

Don't know if i'"ld go as far as calling the optimas garbage but over priced they def are....Bought mine when they were a little cheaper, they went up in price the last couple yrs...Had mine about 8 yrs er so now with NO complaints...

My best test of it was a few yrs after I bought it....I camped at SR fer almost a week, using it ONLY for a 45lb thrust TM on my canoe....Took it out EVERY morning and evening for at least two hours per trip....NEVER charged it all week and it only got low on the last day....If I wasn't already confident this trip def made me a believer that sometimes you get what you pay for...A higher price tag can be a small price to pay for confidence in ur gear...I still have and use this battery quite a lot and I would say that it performs just as well as the day I bought it....I believe the longevity of a battery(meaning total life of the battery in yrs) is a HUGE selling point....I think the vibration resistence makes any particular battery last many more yrs than others, especially if your travelling LONG distances to get to ur destinations....

Good luck and let us know what you decide to go with...:D

[skippy]

Guys, thank you for all the responses. You all make valid points for the different batteries. I feel that the winner will be the interstate 29 series, as it is one hundred dollars cheaper then the Optima and everyone seems to really like them. I will be purchasing two for this spring and I'll let everyone know how they work.