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Not all batteries are built the same. Yes, a lot of lower quality batteries are built by one major manufacturer, then badged for a bunch of different people. The construction, electrolyte additives and the such make a battery. I personally like Interstate, good, solid lead acid batteries and they last about 3-4 years then need to be replaced, but if you service them, they can last longer. Good warranty, good battery, can't go wrong, especially with about $100 a battery.
The deal with batteries is maintaining them. I like Interstate and Trojan. The key is after every outing, charge the batteries. In addition, check the fluid levels once a month. If water is needed, use distilled water and only fill enough to cover the plate. I learned the hard way with my batteries over the years.
The deal with batteries is maintaining them. I like Interstate and Trojan. The key is after every outing, charge the batteries. In addition, check the fluid levels once a month. If water is needed, use distilled water and only fill enough to cover the plate. I learned the hard way with my batteries over the years.
Mike B. is right on the mark. The biggest problem with batteries are their owners. As long as the battery has a durable case (most major brands are solid), and you religiously charge the batteries as soon as you are off the water (or even on the water like I do), and keep the electrolyte level above the plates, most batteries will last for five years. If you get lazy even once, and wait two days to charge your batteries, you just shortened their life even if they seem to come back to full charge. When the electrolyte loses its charge, the plates get coated with sulphate from the uncharged electrolyte. Sulphated plates prevent the electron exchange between the plates and the electrolyte, and could also cause the plates to heat up more during charging due to the resistance from the sulphate, which can warp the plates (since lead is soft), and then the warping causes the plates to touch each other and short out the battery.
Another reason for battery failure can be from the charger used. Over the years I learned that the transformer type chargers work great if you fish calm water, and are a value. But if you fish big water and your boat takes a pounding, these can fail and also cause your batteries to fry in the process.
Another problem that crops up from rough water is that the cables pulling on the threaded battery terminal in rough water can make your threaded post work loose in the lead post. This may cause an intermittent problem that can be tough to find.
I use Trojan batteries and a Stealth 1 Charging system that puts make battery problems a thing of the past. The Stealth charger also charges the batteries from my outboard, so the batteries never get drawn down far to begin with. I even added the TowNCharge so I can charge my batteries from my Yukon on the way home from the lake. Then when I get home, I plug in my Stealth charger and keep the batteries fully charged until the next trip. No sulphate problems, no dead batteries, life is great!
ciao,
Marc
Mike Bess said:The deal with batteries is maintaining them. I like Interstate and Trojan. The key is after every outing, charge the batteries. In addition, check the fluid levels once a month. If water is needed, use distilled water and only fill enough to cover the plate. I learned the hard way with my batteries over the years.
Posted by Tom Melowitz on September 7, 2019 at 2:45pm
Posted by Eric Urstad on April 3, 2019 at 7:38pm
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