Cranking Battery?

RJB · Post by **RJB** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 2:52 pm

I need to get a new Starting battery group 27 for my boat and was wondering what batteries you guys use. Bought my boat new in 2013 and replaced the battery 2 yrs ago with an Interstate. On Monday I plugged my boat in and all batteries charged but the starter. It won’t take a charge anymore. Wondering if I should stay with interstate or get something else?

FlippinDbombs · Post by **FlippinDbombs** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:50 pm

I run the wal mart battery’s group 29 for both my cranking and TM battery’s they last 3/4 years and their 80 bucks and never left me stranded and hold a charge all day

TritonBrent · Post by **TritonBrent** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:43 am

Interstate batteries are straight garbage. I have been using the Power Stride batteries that Boatmasters sells and have been very happy with them.

Fishfreq · Post by **Fishfreq** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:39 am

RJB wrote:I need to get a new Starting battery group 27 for my boat and was wondering what batteries you guys use. Bought my boat new in 2013 and replaced the battery 2 yrs ago with an Interstate. On Monday I plugged my boat in and all batteries charged but the starter. It won’t take a charge anymore. Wondering if I should stay with interstate or get something else?

You didn't say what engine you're running and how many fishfinders you use, but your crank battery is not one where I'd cut any corners. Trolling motor batteries, sure, if they die early you can still get back to the dock on your big motor. Take a look at the link below just as an example. Some outboards have very specific needs for cranking amps.

Batteries that meet the requirement - Mercury DFI engines: http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php ... eries+meet

Disregard this post if you're someone that usually buys cheap rather than good. No offense, but I've been on that side of the coin too, when raising kids, etc. I had to buy cheap, and I've dealt with the headaches.

Otherwise, I'd highly recommend you researching AGM batteries, specifically the 'thin plate pure lead' species. They're totally different than 'cheaper' AGM batteries, last many years longer and put out higher burst MCA's.

Look for brands like Odyssey Extreme (don't confuse with Optima, however I hear Optima is introducing a pure lead AGM finally), Northstar (X2 at Batteries Plus Bulbs stores), Fullriver (Full Throttle series only), etc. Also be sure you have the correct charger for the job and keep them charged. They'll last you more than half a dozen years.

Bassfishman · Post by **Bassfishman** » Tue Feb 05, 2019 11:48 am

FlippinDbombs wrote:I run the wal mart battery’s group 29 for both my cranking and TM battery’s they last 3/4 years and their 80 bucks and never left me stranded and hold a charge all day

Agree 1000%. For this price you cant go wrong and Walmart backs the warranty. I've actually taken one battery back that failed before the warranty period ended.

monte300 · Post by **monte300** » Tue Feb 05, 2019 5:23 pm

I’ve had good luck with American brand batteries, both cranking and deep cycle. They are built in Hayward and are sold at Boatmasters in Livermore.

Randy Walker · Post by **Randy Walker** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 8:40 pm

Of course you are going to hear many options, which is what you wanted...
I agree with fishfreq… don't go cheap... your batteries are the lifeline of your boat...

My choice in batteries for both starting and trolling motor has been the Optima Blue Tops. I began using the Blue Tops in 2011 and was really happy with them. Since then I've pursued and been fortunate to team up with them, but would not have ever tried if I was not happy with the product. That being said, I used Walmart and Trojan brands before using Optima. I personally use 4 D31M Blue Tops... 3 for trolling and 1 for starting. I decided to do this because of all the electronics, lights, livewells, alarm, bilge... everything that runs off the starting battery. There's times that I will fish in one general area for a long time without starting the big motor to run to the next spot.
I also love that the Optima's are 100% maintenance free to go along with fast charge times and long lasting power.
Here's some info on them...
https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/b ... d-starting

You will find different pricing depending on the retailer, but if you do go with an Optima, make sure to purchase from an authorized dealer.

Good luck ~
Randy Walker