Need a new battery

[albett3]

Unfortunately my battery needs replacement. I have a fairly generic marine starting battery that came with the boat. I hooked it up to the battery charger (in hopes that at some point this year it will actually be warm enough to take the boat out) and it read battery bad. I had some problems with it last summer going dead at times in between uses so am not surprised. Anyway, what does everyone recommend for a battery. I only have one as I only have the stock radio and 12v airhead pump to inflate/deflate the tube. Cabelas is having a sale on their AGM batteries and was wondering how those were.

Thanks!

Al

 

[RumDiet]

Sears is also having a sale - 20% off including AGMs



http://www.sears.com/automotive-bat...0050830x000545&aff=Y&PID=4485850&AID=11042411

 

[MikeyL]

An OPTIMA BLUE from Amazon @ $ 219 DELIVERED is a really Top Choice - and a difficult price to beat for a) What you are buying - and - b) the Quality you'll enjoy !
http://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batteries-8052-161-FFP-BlueTop-Starting/dp/B00E16LVYI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1395378294&sr=8-4&keywords=Optimum Blue
Best Wishes and good luck in whatever choice you make ! - Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[Magic]

Deep cycle 880 CCA batteries at Costco.... Great warranty and service you can't beat with a stick, even on National Stick Day....

 

[albett3]

Thanks for the replies. I am not a member of Costco so that is out. I have read mixed reviews on all the batteries, so not sure if it is worth spending the money on the optima. I am leaning toward just getting the cabelas battery that is on sale and hope for the best. I don't have any type of charger (not an easy location to get a plug to where it sits in the driveway) so would hate to ruin an expensive battery.

 

[jetboater4life]

The posts on that cabellas battery look kind of small. I'm going to be purchasing two East Penn agm group 27 batteries soon. They make the Deka intimidator and rebrand for many others.

 

[itsdgm]

It would extend the life of your battery if you pulled it out of the boat before you stored it and put it on a charger/maintainer.

 

[Rigger]

I'd go with DEKA's, AGM or wet. Optima's ain't what they use to be!

 

[MikeyL]

I am experiencing great success with my Optimas, as are all of my fishing buddies who continue purchasing these AGM-type batteries.
So I guess I am confused by the lack of qualified analysis on Optima batteries expressed herein.
As Optima owners, we are all quite satisfied with a) Performance, b) Longevity and c) Daily length of service (amp-hours).
Not sure what else we are to be concerned with.
Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[MikeyL]

By the way ....... There are only 2 main battery manufacturers in America, for the most part:
1) East-Penn; and 2) Johnson Controls (NYSE).
Virtually every large(r) battery in the U.S. comes from 1 of their plants (East-Penn & Johnson Controls), regardless on the name brand on the battery. That includes Sears, Wal-Mart, Costco, Optima, Champion, InterState, AutoZone, Pep Boys, Delco, Motorcraft and a LOT more. The direction of Exide who used to also be a U.S. manufacturer of car and industrial batteries is un-clear, as they filed for bankruptcy in June of last year.

Johnson Controls alone manufacturers more than a third of the worldwide use of these type auto, truck and industrial batteries.

One might wanna consider that, to some degree, arguing over who makes "the best" battery is rather pointless - although for years to come, there are going to be many who still wish to (?).

Best Wishes to all, I'm going fishing ........ Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[__ScottyDont]

I'm having a hard time deciding as I have two Interstate Green Top Cranking batteries (a year old might I add) which aren't good for powering accessories, etc. and really don't like being drained low. However, this spring I'm looking into adding an amp, extra speakers, etc, with tower speakers later in the summer \ early fall. So I feel almost as if I have to switch to deep cycle \ AGM batteries here shortly, especially when the tower speakers go on.

 

[MikeyL]

Lead-Acid and AGM batteries have two totally different characteristics. I admire that you are considering your alternative BATTERY choices now that your particular electrical requirements situation is changing. A good place to start, and get accurate answers, and far less hyperbole and personal preferences is .... A GOOGLE search. 1 great tool, available to all, for free, and highly accurate most of the time. Good Luck, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[HidnNOS]

I have two blue tops in my Yamaha and a blue top in my Tahitti. Best choice for me

 

[txav8r]

Mike, I don't question Optimas being a good battery...as you said, there are limited actual manufacturers of batteries in the USA anyway, and those 4 basic companies make all the batteries sold here except for those that are imported. I will argue the value however on an Optima, even your amazon link is for a battery costing $219! When I bought my Deka AGM's, they were $165 vs over $200 for the exact same AGM capability. It might be a regional thing, but I find Amazon isn't always the best pricing, but it is good many times. I find having a good return policy better than what manufacturer I select. Personally, I would choose an AGM battery for a boat, due to vibration and sealed characteristics over a standard flooded lead acid, but plenty of guys, especially those that don't do ANY battery maintenance are throwing their money away on an AGM. If your not going to maintain it, why risk the extra expense of AGM ownership vs. a standard lead acid battery? The cost is half, and if you don't keep it fully charged all the time, it will deteriorate sooner than it would if you do keep it topped off. That said, plenty of guys will tell you they did nothing to theirs and still got 5 years out of a standard battery. All that just leads me to believe if you want the cheapest alternative even long term, a good dual purpose, larger group 31 may be your ticket. For those that don't want to deal with off gasing and possible electrolyte issues, an AGM is a great battery, but don't spend the money on one, unless your going to keep it charged.

 

[Impelled]

I have a stock stereo and just have 2 Sears Diehards, an M-1 and M-2. Have them on a Perko 4-way switch. Buy a new battery every 4-7 yrs....store in basement in winter. Been doing that since 1989. And I carry a Jump & Carry battery pack......used it many times.....just never for MY boat

*If your battery is toast.....then any of the above will be better than what you have now. It was my Harley that got 8 yrs from the original battery....maybe 4-5 on the boat batteries.

 

[__ScottyDont]

+1 on the battery pack. Used it on many boats, even my fathers. but never my own...

 

[MikeyL]

Mike, I don't question Optimas being a good battery...as you said, there are limited actual manufacturers of batteries in the USA anyway, and those 4 basic companies make all the batteries sold here except for those that are imported. I will argue the value however on an Optima, even your amazon link is for a battery costing $219! When I bought my Deka AGM's, they were $165 vs over $200 for the exact same AGM capability. It might be a regional thing, but I find Amazon isn't always the best pricing, but it is good many times. I find having a good return policy better than what manufacturer I select. Personally, I would choose an AGM battery for a boat, due to vibration and sealed characteristics over a standard flooded lead acid, but plenty of guys, especially those that don't do ANY battery maintenance are throwing their money away on an AGM. If your not going to maintain it, why risk the extra expense of AGM ownership vs. a standard lead acid battery? The cost is half, and if you don't keep it fully charged all the time, it will deteriorate sooner than it would if you do keep it topped off. That said, plenty of guys will tell you they did nothing to theirs and still got 5 years out of a standard battery. All that just leads me to believe if you want the cheapest alternative even long term, a good dual purpose, larger group 31 may be your ticket. For those that don't want to deal with off gasing and possible electrolyte issues, an AGM is a great battery, but don't spend the money on one, unless your going to keep it charged.

Once again, an extremely well thought-out, and extremely accurate answer to this perplexing question. Wish at times I wrote this well.
And I sincerely hope some of our members who might be considering a new battery read carefully "WHY AN AGM-TYPE FOR A BOAT" that you listed!
Thanks for composing this, Mel - Best Wishes, Mikey Lulejian

 

[albett3]

I always pulled the battery when winterizing and stored it in the basement. This year I didn't hook it up to a trickle charger at all (did every now and then in previous years). I didn't get to use the boat as much last year as I would have liked and it went dead a few times sitting in the driveway so I had a feeling it was time for a new battery.
My in-laws have a membership to BJs and they have an exide dual purpose marine/rv battery for $75. For the price if I only get a couple years out of it that is fine. I also carry a battery pack with me for emergencies.

 

[davel501]

An OPTIMA BLUE from Amazon @ $ 219 DELIVERED is a really Top Choice - and a difficult price to beat for a) What you are buying - and - b) the Quality you'll enjoy !
http://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batteries-8052-161-FFP-BlueTop-Starting/dp/B00E16LVYI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1395378294&sr=8-4&keywords=Optimum Blue
Best Wishes and good luck in whatever choice you make ! - Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

Don't buy Optimas from Amazon. They are not an authorized retailer so there is no warranty.

 

[MikeyL]

Don't buy Optimas from Amazon. They are not an authorized retailer so there is no warranty.

Yup. You're right. All AMAZON does, however, is to take care of problems with batteries themselves ! So ya can't run down to an Optima dealer and get your situation rectified....you just have to use Amazon. Eaz-y Pez-y. So there is not an "Optima" warranty....There IS an AMAZON WARRANTY however !
Hey ! 2nd day of Spring here on Lake Oconee, and it hit 82 degrees !!!!!