I'm on 4 years with my interstates they last all day and hold a full charge, i charge them fully after every trip to keep the memory high. I fish multiple times a week, but if I go a few weeks without fishing I'll recharge them. Also if I know it's going to be super cold I'll bring the boat home and put them on the charger and keep them warm. I keep my boat in storage

Same here - change out big motor and trolling motor at 3 years in service. Keep them charged and check water periodically.

Rarely had one just simply "go bad" for my trolling motor batteries. For me they simply start feeling a little weak by the end of a long day so rather then just change them to change them I wait till they feel a little weaker than normal(not stay charged as long) then change all three. Nothing wrong with being proactive but this is just how I do it. Generally about 4-5 years or so for me. Have had Wallyworld's deep cycles last just as long as Optima's...at 2 1/2 times less the price.

Bought my tm batteries in april of 2008. Haven't tried them this year, not sure i want to try another year anyway. I would like to know how long they would make it tho.

I fish 4-5 days a week. I "check" them monthly. I have one battery that needs a 1/2 ounce of so of water, per cell, a month. The other battery needs very little. The one that uses water more is two months newer. Both have been side by side since they were on the rack at the store.

As for how much? There is a little "slit" in the bottom of the round port on each cell. The water level should be within this slit....kinda like checking oil on a car. There is a max/min and anywhere in between the slits length is good to go.


Checking battery water levels monthly is a good practice even if the boat isn't used as often as you'd like. Definitely check them monthly if you leave them on an active charger/maintainer 24/7.

The number one reason that batteries fail is lack of charging and maintaining a surface charge between uses. The second most common reason for a short battery life is fluid levels. When they get low enough to expose plates, it's only a matter of time before the battery is beyond saving.

7th year on my Lithiums. hope to get 8 more.

3 years and replace. Its better to replace and not worry then get to the lake and wish u had. Been there done that.

My last two sets of batteries have lasted 3 years each. After a full charge I unplug it so it does not dry them out. Seems to me this is a big plus to the life of the battery and check the water lever also.

+1

2 group 27 Cabelas AGM installed 3/04/12 still going.

Has anyone had experience with or care to comment on TROJAN GEL 27 or TROJAN 31 GEL batteries?

I had two of the the dual purpose Cabelas AGM go "bad" within a year I used as a starting battery. Must have been a bad batch. They offered me a "new" one when the second one went "bad" but it would only have a 3 month warranty (balance left on the one year warranty of the first battery I bought). I said no thanks and bought a Sear's PM1 (I think that is the one, either way their now discontinued).

Running 2009 ever starts in my boat, running on borrowed time.

My last interstates lasted 4 years (group 27). Just replaced them last fall w/interstates.

I never checked the water. Ever. So I guess 38 months is pretty solid! I'm the type of guy that needs maintenance free stuff.