Marine Battery Question
 

So I have had a die hard marine battery for about 8 years. It has worked EXCELLENT. I have a die hard automatic charger and usually charge it after I use it. Then it would sit in my parents garage for the whole winter and I would charge it every once in a while during the winter. I always charge it on slow. However, stupid me left the battery in an outdoor closet in my condo. I was done with it in the fall and left it there all winter and forgot it was there with how busy I have been. I noticed a little bit of dried up acid towards one of the metal screws on the top. Is it safe to try to recharge it? Or do you guys think it's finished???

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

I don't think there is much danger trying to recharge it. But if you used it for 8 years I think you got your moneys worth out of it already and time for a new one...Charlie

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

Amen!

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

If you got 8 years out of a deep cycle battery, you're doing something right. I've had cheapo no-name batteries, Interstate batteries, even an Optima and they all seem to be done after 3 or 4 years. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

My current battery is a Walmart brand that was the cheapest one I ever bought. I figured if it lasts 2 years, I'm still ahead of the game financially, and this will be it's third year. I'm not in the boat every weekend, but I do fish mostly electric only lakes, so trolling motor use is my primary application, your results may vary.

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

8 years! Yeah no harm trying to charge just make sure the water levels are good. But you definitely got your money out of it, mine usually only make it 1 to 1 and half seasons before I start seeing significant lose in capacity. Of course bowfishing is untypically hard on batteries and I'm on the water 3 or 4 nights a week when it's good.

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

Thanks guys.....yea I only use it probably 3 or 4 times a month with a trolling motor on a small pelican boat. I always charged it on slow. Diehard batteries are definitely good quality. I'll try charging it and see what happens. If anything I'll go get a new one.

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

You can try recharging it but after 8 years, as mentioned above, you are long overdue for a replacement.

Lead Acid batteries if they are discharged can freeze over the winter and after they are done. Always a good idea to charge every so often when laid up over the winter.

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

with batteries its a luck of the draw really....the majority of deep cycles are made in the same place and rebranded w the retailers cover....usually a safe bet to get a deka battery of whatever branding. Ive had good luck w the walmarts in past but have switched to batteries plus deep cycles cause they have a very long run time compared to whats out there, plus they have 31 series which is hard to find

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

Sam's club has a Duracell (rebranded Deka) wet cell group 31 and a AGM group 31, pretty decent prices.

Re: Marine Battery Question
 

AGMs don't need to be topped up over the Winter and they will not freeze.