Boat Battery

[Gobble Doc]

Any suggestions for a good boat battery?  I have heard there are good ones but that they are expensive.  I'm thinking maybe a Die Hard Platinum? 

[jeepasaurusrex]

I've always used an Optima blue top. 

[Mfowl]

+1 for optima batteries! I had a yellow top (heavy machinery) battery that I converted to my boat battery. Worked amazing for years until it got stolen. Not cheap though, I was able to buy mine at Joe's back when they went out of business. If you can pony up the coin I would recommend them.

[jeepasaurusrex]

I would recommend picking up a charger designed for Optima batteries. They charge differently than lead-acid does.

[DoubleJ]

We just got a Everstart 122amp hr. battery from Walmart for $84.  Happy so far.

[huntnphool]

 Oddyssey makes some of the best batteries out there, I've had two of the PC-925's in my boat since I ordered it in '2004 and never touched them. http://www.odysseybatteries.com/applications/odyssey-marine-batteries.htm

[Ridgeratt]

Just replaced the 4 deep cycle batteries in my boat. They have been  on Battery conditioner charges before I bought the boat and since I have owned it.
The battery that runs the electronics in the boat had an purchase date of  5/07. the Motor start have a date of 5/02, the trolling set to run the  dates of 5/04.

They all still would give me a full days worth of service but just the dates made me change them!!

[Gobble Doc]

Thanks for the comments.  I will take a look at all of your suggestions.

Are most of you running small electronics, i.e. fish finder off of the same battery as for your engine?  Or, do you have a second deep cycle for auxiliary items?

If I plan to run a fish finder do you think it is important to get a "dual purpose" battery?

My current battery starts my engine fine but if I run a fish finder for any time at all I find that I can't start the engine.  Bad feeling. 

[lokidog]

Thanks for the comments.  I will take a look at all of your suggestions.

Are most of you running small electronics, i.e. fish finder off of the same battery as for your engine?  Or, do you have a second deep cycle for auxiliary items?

If I plan to run a fish finder do you think it is important to get a "dual purpose" battery?

My current battery starts my engine fine but if I run a fish finder for any time at all I find that I can't start the engine.  Bad feeling.

Seems odd that your fishfinder should draw your battery down that much.  Maybe you have something else sucking power when the FF is on?

[jeepasaurusrex]

There are two main types of batteries. One is designed for starting-high amp pull. The other is designed for low amp draw over a long period of time. I'd have one battery for starting the motor, and a low amp draw style to run everything else.

[Rick]

Any suggestions for a good boat battery?  I have heard there are good ones but that they are expensive.  I'm thinking maybe a Die Hard Platinum?

The DH Platinum is made by Odyssey and is a better battery than the Optima.

[lostbackpacker]

I have been running Interstate deep cycle.  this will be my 3rd summer on them.  No problems with them so far....

[Gobble Doc]

I had the same thought that a fish finder should be pretty low draw.  My current battery is a 2009 Costco marine battery that came with the boat when I got it used.  I'm hoping that with a good new battery that has a good reserve capacity that my problems with draining the battery with the fish finder will go away. 

[rasbo]

not sure how big your boat is but a duel battery system that I can switch over or run on both batteries keeps my mind at ease

[Crunchy]

Trojan makes a darn good battery.  I would consider them as well.  Ive got one in my boat that is at least 7 years old and running strong.