I know this has been discussed before....I'm having some issues with my cranking battery and I think it's time to get a new one. Anyone have advice on the best one that's not extremely expensive?

Hi Chris, I run the Sears Diehard Platinum 31 Gel,w/CCA of 1150 with all my equipment I feel confident in it holding out all day for me, but at $300. it might be out of your price range.

Debra

I just bought the biggest Interstate makes, i think it is a 31. It has done me real good. I switched to Interstate with my trolling motor batteries last year and have never run out of juice.

Oh ya, I think they run 139.00

What the cutie said!

Chad the largest Cranking Deep Cycle Interstate makes is a 27 w/600 CCA and their largest TM is a 29 deep cycle w/675 CCA.

Debra

best battery I ever bought!

Im looking at some new batteries too. Had interstates for both cranking and trolling motor batteries. Got them last January. Already had to replace the cranking battery last month and think Im gonna have to replace the other ones soon. I dont know if I got a bad bunch or what but Im looking at other options.

Thanks Debra! I'll look into those!

I'm about to have to replace mine as well. I've looked at interstate options and it seems as though the reviews here confirm that its a good cranking battery option. I accidentally ran my current cranking battery down one night Nd its never been able to recover since.

I was just looking at that battery the other day. Do you have all your graphs running on that same battery?

That battery Debra is talking about is Kick azz and yes you can run electronics all day.

I may be mistaken then but i could of swore it was a 31. You got me to thinking now. I will look to see what it is.

Thanks for answering that question scm, yes Shawn

Debra

Thank you scm and Debra.

I have been running two blue tops to be safe but have herd alot of good things on this battery from the guys in Florida.

I have an Interstate 27M-XHD in my boat which is 800CCA and 1000MCA

Note this battery is not a GEL battery and so it does not require a gel charger. It is an Absorbed Glass Mat (electrolyte is liquid but sealed) and requires an AGM compatible charger to reach its' 100% capacity.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

I bought one recently at Metroplex Battery called a Powertron. It's a killer, and I've used 'em all.

In Houston, check with Texford Battery. I think they are the distributor there.

True Lou as I said to Mark needed my glasses on, I know it a AGM not a Gel, thank you for pointing out my typo.

Debra

Got two sears 31's for my trollers. 3+ years and no problem. They are legit. My cranking battery is on its last leg and I want one of the Sears, but my checkbook says no....

I'm needing a crank soon too. And considering that sears or maybe a deka. Question on the charging of the sears though. Is the minn kota on-board chargers compatiable with those?

Interstate does make a 31 series battery, I just picked one up from my father in law at the RV dealership he works at.

Had Interstates for cranking and trolling. Trolling batteies were ok but felt like they could have been better.
Had a interstate cranking and could not run both graphs and pumps all day because then I would not be able to crank up.

I recently switched to Autozone trolling batteries and love em.

Then I bought the Sears PM-1- best battery on the market in my mind. I run everyting all day and this bad boy does handles it well. If you can swing it buy the Sears battery, you will not be disappointed

What's the sears battery cost?

$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+