Deep Cell Batteries

[Scott McKee]

Any opinions on which is the best local store to purchase deep cell batteries, or what manufacturer is best?

[John Jarosz]

I have two Optima AGM's for my electric trolling motor. The AGM's can be tipped on their side (& maybe even upside down) & won't spill anything out. I like the safety feature of that, especially with al the bouncing in the bow.

They hold their charge well & recharge with no problems. There's no liquid acid to boil over. AGM's are a bit pricey though, about $200 - $300 each. Bought them in 2014 & they're still doing good as far as holding a charge.

[Scott Kitchen]

Scott, 

Before I bought my last set of batteries I did some research and what I read was that the most important thing about batteries is maintenance through the use of a three stage charger.  As such, I bought two very inexpensive deep cell batteries at Walmart, but keep them on a charger at all times when not in use.  My boat has a built in three stage charger, which is plugged in at all times when my boat is at the dock and over the winter I keep them on a charge the whole winter long.  They have held up with out issue for four years. 

[Tony Scime]

I do the same and they seem to last at least 5 years before they start to lose the charge.

Scott Kitchen said:

Scott, 

Before I bought my last set of batteries I did some research and what I read was that the most important thing about batteries is maintenance through the use of a three stage charger.  As such, I bought two very inexpensive deep cell batteries at Walmart, but keep them on a charger at all times when not in use.  My boat has a built in three stage charger, which is plugged in at all times when my boat is at the dock and over the winter I keep them on a charge the whole winter long.  They have held up with out issue for four years. 

[John Pensyl]

Personally no one will ever convince me that AGM batteries dont have an extreme advantage over traditional wet cells. I dealt with batteries going bad and still watch people around me deal with wet cell batteries randomly going bad. My issues ended when I purchased 3 optima blue top 31s in 2014. They last for multiple days on a charge before the trolling motor shows signs of power loss. Zero maintenance except plugging in the minnkota 440 digital charger and the guy who purchased that boat from me is still using those 2013 blue tops even after I had put hundreds of hard days use on them. There is a reason charter captains and tournament anglers swear by agm batteries. My new boat came equipped with traditional interstate deep cycles and I'm already noticing they arent lasting as long and this is only season 2. The duracell Sam's club agm batteries have very good reviews from top anglers across the nation and are reasonably priced. I may try those if I dont spring for new blue tops again.

[Scott McKee]

Will my old (Jesus, my boat is 18 years old) Minn Kota two-banker charge the blue top type batteries? I remember there was a reason I didn't buy them years ago (and price wasn't it).

[Scott McKee]

John, is this the battery you mentioned at Sam's Club?

https://m.samsclub.com/ip/duracell-agm-deep-cycle-marine-and-rv-bat...

[Scott McKee]

https://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-Precision-Digital-Chrgr/dp/B00F5EF...

[Scott McKee]

This bad boy will charge the AGMs and my starter battery at the same time. I can feel myself getting poorer. Anyone want to buy any Perchbaits or Plows? How about a gently used Shock and Awe?

[Scott McKee]

I guess I could sell blood...

[Tony Scime]

Sorry. I'll be more careful.

[John Pensyl]

Scott ur link didnt take me to a specific product on the sams page. They are the duracell agm deep cycle 31s. Really good reviews and used by many many guides. Reasonable at 179 and I've seen them cheaper at times. That minnkota 460 is what is in my new boat now.

[Scott McKee]

"Your blood" was really funny, Tony. I take so many heart medications the blood bank would laugh me out of the building.