Deep Cycle Batteries

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Panfisher
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2008/05/12 08:40:59 (permalink)

Deep Cycle Batteries

I have a Ever Start Maxx deep cycle battery from Walmart.  It was not very old and now it drains very quickly.  I think I went 2 miles and the thing is almost drained.  Are these batteries no good?  I know I will never buy another one.  What is a good battery to purchase?  I was looking at the Optima circular cell batteries, but they run like $199.   I checked Walmart last night and they don't carry these Marine Maxx batteries any more.  Maybe it is because they are junk.   What is a good battery if there is such a thing?
post edited by Panfisher - 2008/05/12 08:42:15

The only thing better than 1 day of fishing is 2 days of fishing.
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    indsguiz
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 08:51:17 (permalink)
    Panfisher,
        Asking for a good battery is like asking what kind of car is the best, everyone has had good luck and bad luck.  Personally; I recommend Die Hards, with Deka coming in second.
        Are you sure your battery was fully charged?   That may sound stupid but in my experience deep cycle batteries need a longer charge (sometimes much longer) than a normal battery.  Also check your trolling motor.  I thought I was having trouble with my deep cycles till I checked my motor and I found that my motor was bad and pulling about three times the energy it should.  I found this out when my cables got almost too hot to touch.   I'd recommend checking your cables to see if they are warm and then looking for a bad connection or bad motor.

    Illegitimis Non carborundum
    #2
    jlh42581
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 09:04:19 (permalink)
    I have the big everstart(just bought) and it holds a charge extreamly well.

    Dont forget:

    1) never store a battery in a discharged state
    2) DO NOT speed charge a deep cycle ( Charge it at 12 volts / 2amp )
    3) If not sealed periodically check the cells and refill with DISTILLED water if necessary.

    Jeremy
    http://www.outdoorintegration.com
    #3
    pghmarty
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 11:02:33 (permalink)
    I was looking at the Optima circular cell batteries

    Love my optima starting battery-sundeck finally opens on it's own.
    #4
    chauncy
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 12:25:57 (permalink)
    Love my optima too. 4 years running now.
    #5
    pghmarty
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 12:33:01 (permalink)
    Main reason I bought an Optima was for the 1200W stereo I had on my Checkmate.
    #6
    Panfisher
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 13:13:11 (permalink)
    Trolling motor is new.  Wires did not get hot.  They did on my old motor that's why I had to get a new one.  Battery was charging for 2 days was fully charged.  I have a tester I use to check battery.  Charger also has a green light that comes on when fully charged.  I charge battery on 10 amps.  I checked the water level in the battery and was okay.  I have used this battery all spring and it has never drained this quickly before.   I always charge battery when I get home-never let a low battery sit without hooking charger to it.  I'll try it one more time to see how it does.

    The only thing better than 1 day of fishing is 2 days of fishing.
    #7
    chauncy
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 14:21:12 (permalink)
    I had an everstart before i got the optima. Mine wouldn't hold a charge, just as yours is doing. Got so fed up with it, i took it back and got a refund. Then went and got the blue top. Some people have good luck with their everstart. Some don't. Good luck with yours and dont hesitate to take it back ( even if you dont have the receipt ).
    #8
    davef
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 15:23:57 (permalink)
    If its the yellow one i bought one about a month ago. I've only had it out a few trips so far but it does have a 18 month free replacement i was told.

    I'd take it back. A long time ago i got an ac delco battery from kmart and it went bad within months. I took it back and wanted a refund but they would only replace it. To make a long story short that replacement battery (the same type) lasted 8 years. I think its like a crap shoot what when you buy one. Your luck must have been bad that day.
    post edited by davef - 2008/05/12 15:24:28
    #9
    Trout About
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/12 18:03:37 (permalink)
    I have 3 Optima Blue tops.  Installed them the day I brought my boat home in May 2005, and have never taken them out.
     
    I have a friend that runs the Everstarts on and he hasn't had any trouble with them.  My dad took 3 of them (starting batteries) back before he got one that would take/hold a charge.
    #10
    Panfisher
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/13 08:20:39 (permalink)
    Dave
    Yes it's the yellow one.  I bought it 5/20/06 which is almost 2 years.  I thought the Maxx batteries have a  full 3 year warranty replacement .  That's what the sign in Walmart says but maybe that's for car batteries.  I'll call to see.  Can't trust that battery.  I carry 2 batteries but don't want to get stuck out there.

    The only thing better than 1 day of fishing is 2 days of fishing.
    #11
    davef
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/13 14:52:55 (permalink)
    Yes i saw the same sign and asked before i bought it. They said 18 months. The regular ones were 12 months free replacement. I just got mine so i should be good till next fall 11/09.

    Hopefully it will be worn out till then and i'll hit them up for a new one. My luck it will be fine till spring of 2010 then i'll be in the same boat as you are now.
    post edited by davef - 2008/05/13 22:09:27
    #12
    Dream Catcher
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/13 15:58:54 (permalink)
    DEKA is one of the best in my opinion . Made in PA as well ; you may have to call around a little to find a dealer but I've been running them for 10 years and always get 4-5 years out of each . Used to work for a local battery shop & they are dependable.
    #13
    bingsbaits
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/13 17:04:17 (permalink)
    Free  replacement up to 18 months, then it's pro rated fro the remainder of the warranty. I've returned at least 3 of these batteries(yellow walmarts) over the years. I use the electric so much I can burn out a battery a year.
    post edited by bingsbaits - 2008/05/13 17:12:37

    "There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
     
     


    #14
    jlh42581
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/05/14 09:13:30 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: davef

    Yes i saw the same sign and asked before i bought it. They said 18 months. The regular ones were 12 months free replacement. I just got mine so i should be good till next fall 11/09.

    Hopefully it will be worn out till then and i'll hit them up for a new one. My luck it will be fine till spring of 2010 then i'll be in the same boat as you are now.


    I was told by walmart they have no way of testing a deep cycle battery, take it back a month before and get a new one.

    Jeremy
    http://www.outdoorintegration.com
    #15
    Panfisher
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/06/05 09:40:57 (permalink)
    I was told an Interstate battery is good.  Any one have any experience with these?

    The only thing better than 1 day of fishing is 2 days of fishing.
    #16
    plnoldrick
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/06/05 15:49:42 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: Panfisher

    I was told an Interstate battery is good.  Any one have any experience with these?

     
    i have two interstate group 27's  for my trolling motor and havent had any issues with them at all. havent had them that long so i cant give a longevity report but they hold up throughout long days of fishing. not to mention they were only like 75$ a piece.
    #17
    meatball1977
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/06/05 15:59:38 (permalink)
    Buy batteries from sears,die hard the way to go.
    #18
    Over the Hill
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    RE: Deep Cycle Batteries 2008/06/05 19:43:09 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: Panfisher

    I was told an Interstate battery is good.  Any one have any experience with these?

     
    Years ago I bought one. Lasted a good 5-6 years. I always kept it topped off, fully charged and in the basement, ---warm all winter.
     
    Are you running the battery down low and then charging it up? It's possible to get a "short" memory of the battery by charging it up a lot when the battery isn't run that low.
     
    Try going up to a group 31 battery. That's all I use now. They last atleast 25 % longer for me than a group 27.
     
    Group 24 is only for starting. Will not last anywhere near as long as a 27 or 31.

    OVER THE HILL

    Some people are like slinky's; not really good for anything, but, they bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs...
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