Marine batteries

[avrg.joe]

I have been using Stowaway bateries for years with poor results. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good brand?

[united jigsticker]

Fleet Farm's marine line of batteries is very nicely priced and complimented by good quality.

Not sure if MinnKota still makes their line of deep cycle batteries, but the one I owned was top notch. Bought it in 1996, and it still holds a charge. I use it to run the bait aereator in the spring yet.

Was on the pricey side, but the quality matched the buck.

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Good fishing,
UJ
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[walleyehawk]

A few of my friends had the Fleet Farm batteries and had bad luck. Another had a Minnkota and it was a disappointment. We all go with Sears Diehard now and so far have had good luck, knock on wood.

Gander Mountain and Galyans may still sell the Minnkota's, though I saw Trojan? brand there last time. I think alot of the batteries depend on the care of the owner, how often they are charged, etc.

[avrg.joe]

There is no doubt that care of a batery is a huge key, but these have been very well cared for.

I've been told that Sears as well as stowaway bateries are made by Exide.

Still confused!

[avrg.joe]

Oh ya,

Fleet Farm bateries are supposedly made by the same company that make batteries for minkota.

[Andrewsdad]

Hope this isn't too stupid of a question but what is the best care for batteries. I recharge mine everytime I go fishing. The gauge usually still shows them fully charged when I get home but I just plug in the charger anyway. I can't remember the name of my charger but supposedly it is designed to do just what I am doing. Do I need to be concerned with memory? I did fish for three days and the batteries seemed to hold up well. The third day I could tell my trolling motor was losing something but it still worked well.

[united jigsticker]

Ni/Cd (Nickel/Cadmium) batteries are the culprits for "memory" issues.

A properly topped off Sulfuric Acid/Water Lead Core battery will not demonstrate these types of features and conditions.

What takes out a marine battery is low levels, freezing when charge/water levels low, *over charging, and *charging too fast (*creates heat and boils off the water and corrodes the lead)

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Good fishing,
UJ
[email protected]

[Guest]

Frequent recharging is important, but it is easy to boil off the water in the cells, as mentioned. The best maitenance for lead acid batteries is to use de-ionized water (not distilled). Tap water, especially well water, has too many minerals like calcium, that destroy the cells. My problem is I can't find anyone selling de-ionized water. Tried Fleet Farm and a couple of auto parts stores, but no luck. Anyone out there know of where to buy the stuff?

[Fish-n-Freak]

The only place I have found deionized water is at laboratory supply houses -- $30 a gallon!!!!

Cheaper to buy a new battery.

I use bottled water and keep my batteries charged, I have not had any problems.

Trojan Batteries ROCK!!!!!!!

Good Fishing!
Steve

[EBass]

so is distilled water ok since the deionized water is 30 smack-a-roos?

[Fish-n-Freak]

Have been told "any water fit to drink" will work in a battery. That's from some old timers and about car batteries.

I use the distilled water and have been for years, my batteries are supported with an on board charging system and they are always plugged in when I am not fishing.

That is what works for me.
Steve

[Guest]

Trojan for trolling Minnekota Crank. I "forgot" my crank over the winter and she started on the first shot! That was the first time ever to start right away, even pulling the batteries.

Trojan and Minnekota are the best and trust me I have tried them all.

Opie