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. 

[lokidog]

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

For sure on any boat that is big enough to fit two.

[Wacenturion]

Ditto on the  Oddyssey batteries.  

Have the same 2004 North River as Huntnphool.  Have the same exact PC-925's batteries.  However just replaced both of mine mine last year as one was going bad.  I'm sure Huntnphool paid better attention to his original batteries than my previous owner did.  Mine are now on a continual charger/maintainer when not in use.

[skeeter 20i]

 Everstart MAXX Marine starting/deep cycle 875 mca/125 am hours, 205 reserve Group 29 I think I paid right around $90/.  For the price point they seem to be the ticket.  I have 3 of them in my boat for the trolling motor and I went with a Sears PM1 for my starter they are about $176 .   


Part of the reason I went with the Everstarts is the replacement warranty and Walmarts are usually found everywhere if I happen to be on the road at a tournament and have a problem.

You might look at East Penn Manf Deka DP31DT they are made by Johnson controls if you have a Deka dealer in your area you could get a pretty good deal on a 31 series battery.

Just remember you can use a deep cycle for a starter but you can't use a starter for a deep cycle.