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What brand/type of Batt would be best for a starting/runs my electronics batt?  I've always just bought the cheap marine batts from Wal-Mart, didn't know if there was better option out there for my situation.  My electronics are (1) humminbird 997 SI GPS combo. I've run my batt dry a few times when running electronics too long without moving spots to charge batt with alternator.  Thx guys

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I hope the experts chime in. Any battery experts out there?

My 2 cents: The battery of a 12 volt system that pushes the starter, your graph, and trolling motor should have importance placed on RC ratings above all else.

(Here is why)
Reserve capacity is the number of minutes a battery can maintain a useful voltage under a 25 ampere discharge. The higher the minute rating, the greater the battery's ability to run lights, pumps, inverters, and electronics for a longer period before recharging is necessary. The 25 Amp. Reserve Capacity Rating is more realistic than Amp-Hour or CCA as a measurement of capacity for deep cycle service. Batteries promoted on their high Cold Cranking Ratings are easy and inexpensive to build. The market is flooded with them, however their Reserve Capacity, Cycle Life (the number of discharges and charges the battery can deliver) and Service life are poor. Reserve Capacity is difficult and costly to engineer into a battery and requires higher quality cell materials.

So the answer.... The higher the RC the spendier the battery will be and longer it will work in a day. Research the highest RC batts you can afford and buy that one.

If you get on BBc theres thousands of threads on the ford/chevy argument of batteries, and they all end in the same result... Indecision.
I've had a lot of rigs over the years and used all types of batteries. I've had all different brands of batteries give me grief. I would recommend going the less expensive route but plan to replace them after a year or two. You can get the largest group size at Walmart for about $100. Also, if the battery goes bad you're never too far from a Walmart. Plus they warranty them for up to a year!
I am now using the Interstate Pros, cost a bit more but have been the best battery I have ever used.

Go to your local Les Schwab and get their deep cycle marine batteries.  Great/fair price but the best warranty and replacement around. They also offer military discount if that applies to you.

I researched this extensively as well when deciding what to do with my new rig. I opted to run a 24volt trolling motor system and put a run and charge system in by minn kota. It runs a charge to the batteries while the big motor is running. This allows me to only need a 24v system rather than a 36v and save space and weight.

  The batteries I went with, like "the snake" talked about were the highest RC I could find without going to the likes of trolling thunder or trojan batteries.  I found the Deka Marine AGM to have a very high RC and only cost $250 bucks with some shopping around.  Alot to pay for a single battery, but unlike Chris I didn't want to ever have to worry about my batteries given out on me during a tourney, or run down with the use of two 12" graphs, livewells and so on.  With the run and charge the batteries are never allow to fully discharge and have had 3 days in heavy wind on Lake Washington, Clear Lake and Grand Lake where I fished 10 hours each day without losing significant battery power.  Chris can atest to how windy that one day on Clear lake was.  I spent the whole day on the water from sun up to sun down, fishing in strong wind and had plenty of battery.

  With the life of these AGM batteries being a full 5 years, I felt that I would be $$$ ahead, and not having to worry about battery issues.

Mark

Good info Mark and that day at Clear Lake was brutal. I should have explained my thoughts better.

I used to fish a lot more and much larger tournaments than I do now. Now that I have less time on the water it's imperative that my equipment doesn't fail. My routine the past few years has just been BASS Nation qualifiers and the divisional. I usually practice 4-6 VERY long days on the water from daylight to dark before the tournaments. I'm mainly a power fisherman so battery life is of the absolute most importance. I have 112 Fortrex, (2) 10" humminbirds, a 360 on the bow and a Hydrowave. I ended up going with Interstate batteries that are nearly identical to what's at Walmart. I push them hard and haven't had any issues.

I guess what I meant is that I've seen every brand of battery fail. I'd rather spend $100 for a new battery every (2) years rather than spend $200+ for a battery and expect it to last (4) years. The way we typically find out a battery is failing is because it craps out mid day on the water which could ruin a tournament day. Hopefully that makes more sense:)

Yeah, as far as lead acid batteries go, pretty much all batteries are made by 3 different companies. East Penn, Johnson Controls, and one other one I can't remember.  With that being said, not alot of difference, from battery to battery unless you go ultra premium, Like the Trojan or Trolling thunder, which uses 100% pure virgin lead, whereas most other off the shelf batteries are just recycled lead batteries.  Rodney mentioned the Interstate Pro's, and I looked into those.  Interstate stopped making them in 2014, the reviews were good and Rodney has had great luck with them, but they aren't available now.

  I choose the AGM because of no maintenance, higher RC, and longer life of the battery in general.

If I were to go with lead acid battery, I would do like Chris said, get a decent battery, but know that you are going to get new ones every 2 yrs.

Mark

DEKA AGM like Mark said. Never had an issue with run down and always held a good charge. You get what you pay for, just like anything.

The Northstar AGM at West Marine has one of, if not the highest, reserve capacity out there. 1150 cold cranking amps will start any direct injected outboard. Full 36 months replacement warranty. Virgin lead too. Do some research on them and you will see the difference. I think a group 31 AGM is around $300, but they will last you 5 to 7 years. The only drawback is they are heavy. Around 80 pounds.
Why don't you just get 2 batteries?

Why don't you charge the battery after a day on the water?

Got a Maxx 29, problem solved.  Thx for the ideas guys.

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