$279

Ok thanks!

The sears platinum AGM 34 is what I run after having cranking battery trouble, it has been great... Of course the monster is the 31 series as Debra stated... I run 3 graphs and the 34 AGM is mercury approved as well as the 31... Space was an issue for me so the 34 fit the bill.. I believe it is 249.00

i bought 2 duralast dual purpose at autozone in march of 2006. i used them for one year as trolling battery and switched to a bigger battery for the tm. one has been my cranking battery ever since.. im gonna change it out this year and put old one in my hunting buggy.. i figured 6 years is pushing my luck on the water..

Putting two new ones in today ready for Pre spawn !

Wal-Mart EverStart MAXX-29 Marine Battery

Compatible is a term loosely defined. MinnKota and most other on-board chargers have marketing departments that will tell you their units made before the last 2 or 3 years are compatible meaning they can mostly recharge the AGM type batteries and not cause it harm.

As most all AGMS have about 0.2V higher recharge needs than flooded wetcells, they need chargers that recognize that they are connected to an AGM and not just a flooded wet cell. An AGM fully charged and then allowed to sit on float stage until self-discharging 0.2V (to a flooded wetcell 100% charge level) is actually only about 80% charged. (Even AGMs self-discharge, but slower than flooded wet-cells. )

A lot of AGM owners seem to be happy going out to the lakes with AGM batteries having as low as an 80% capacity AGM charge. They just look at the misleading Green light on their on-board compatable chargers and feel happy about their $200 AGM battery.

+1

pretty hard to beat for the money and guys have good luck with them!

Hey Steve, do you use EverStart for your trolling motor batteries too?

my interstate cranking battery is going on 7 years. i cant believe it.

Chris,
If you have an Optimax and 10" electronics, Etc. You will want to buy the biggest baddest battery you can buy. You will save in the long run!

Good luck,

EB

Lotta guys use Everstart (sp)... because there's a WalMart in every town!

How does the optima rate?

All this talk of starting batteries and now I need one. I noticed mine is about to crash and will not hold a full charge...LOL

Mercury Optimax site states:
1000 Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) or 750-800 Cold Cranking AMPS (CCA)

Any more cranking amps more than 10% above this will just be wasted weight and money. Buy the battery meeting this above Mercury spec, but giving you the most Reserve Minutes(for your lights/electronics) you can afford and fit in the battery space.

I know firsthand that a bad battery or too small a battery can make the Optis and the HPDIs run like [censored]. It can mimic fuel issues and make your engine run rough and cut out at high speeds.

+1 seen that a lot and plain and simply neglect of the battery post, not tight or dirty.

After doing the cranking/starting, bad battery connections can still play havoc with the newer more sophisiticated motor's electronics whether Merc, Yamaha or E-TEC's.

Wingnuts should never be used on any marine batteries.

Interstate has served me well...

Optima has great ratings, they are typically 10+ lbs lighter than other competitors, however they do cost 200+