Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Need to buy some new trolling motor batteries and would really appreciate some input on the best type of battery to buy? Seems like the Interstate batteries that came with the boat do not last very long.

Thanks much!

someone told me northstar agm are good

Duracell AGM deep cycle group 31 from Sam's club seem to be very popular. https://www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell- ... roduct:1:1

I also have Duracell 31M Deep Cycle ...... they are not "sealed", you need to check the water level every couple of months. Got mine at Batteries Plus

Walmart Marine Batteries. The 29DC batteries are $95. I just replaced one that was 5 years old. They work and they last if you take care of them.

I have Centennial’s that came with boat when I bought it brand new. They are sealed and I’m on my 6th yr with them. I have charged them a million times and still have lots of power. I do need to replace them because of how old they are but I’m going to run them again for sure!!!! Check them out! Interstates suck!

NorthStar 31 AGMs

DanIsaac wrote:NorthStar 31 AGMs

I fully concur with Dan!

JL wrote:

DanIsaac wrote:NorthStar 31 AGMs

I fully concur with Dan!

Same here, they are legit batteries.

All thank you for your input I appreciate it!

If you going to spent $400 a battery, spend a few bucks more and get some lithium's

Odessey Deep Cycle
4 year full replacement warranty
-Miltary grade batteries

TritonBrent wrote:If you going to spent $400 a battery, spend a few bucks more and get some lithium's

Good point Brent, however, you most always have to buy a special charging system for lithiums, and that can be another $500-$750, depending on your choices. The increased cycle life and weight savings make a compelling argument...

Popper wrote:Odessey Deep Cycle
4 year full replacement warranty
-Miltary grade batteries

I'm gonna 2nd that choice, Odyssey, arguably the best thin plate pure lead agm tech battery on the planet.

Scottr wrote:Need to buy some new trolling motor batteries and would really appreciate some input on the best type of battery to buy? Seems like the Interstate batteries that came with the boat do not last very long.

Thanks much!

If you make a post that says 'best batteries', I'm gonna guess you're looking for quality, not low price, right? But since you used the name Interstate, I'ma judge lithiums are a little too high?

AGM batteries are great because they make life simple, zero maintenance. The catch is price. There are good AGM's and lower quality, lighter weight because they're lead/alloy to save $$. Some major brand agm's are made cheap, i.e. Optima spiral cell agm's. So research the good thin plate pure lead agm's and you'll have a very long life AND powerful battery. You'll be happy, but have a little lighter wallet.


Brands: Northstar, X2 by Northstar, Cabela's by Northstar (see the pattern?), Fullriver (Full Throttle series specifically). My last Northstars lasted over 8 yrs, I was amazed! This time I'm trying some Odyssey TPPL Extremes and I'm real impressed. There are more TPPL's out there. Optima's new NON spiral agm? Go for price vs warranty. Odyssey kicks *** with 4 yr warranty.

Thanks Fishfreq, Yes i'm looking for quality. Can't say I want to spent $3,000 bucks for new batteries but i'm more then willing to pay for good quality AGM batteries if I know what to get.

The batteries I have now are group 27 should I get group 31?

The Interstate batteries came with the boat and would never get them again. Maybe they make some good batteries I don't know but the ones I have are not very good.

Scott,

If you search here, there are many threads I have commented on this question.

As already stated, Odyssey batteries are hands down the best AGM battery on the market with the best warranty. The primary reason is because they are the only vendor who uses new lead, not recycled lead, to build their batteries. They are not cheap, but they are the best. The 31-2150s have the highest capacity on the market.

If you are willing to spend the big bucks, lithiums are the way to go, but you will pay 3-4x the money, albeit with much less weight. Most lithiums require a special charger; however there is one brand that will work with most chargers that support AGMs....Bioenno Power. The reason is they have special circuitry that allows a full charge on a 12V battery with the AGM programming. However, if you get a 24 or 36V brick, you will need to go to a special charger like the Stealth 1 charger for Lithiums. If you have any questions on this, let me know.

I am sponsored by Odyssey and can offer you a 20% discount if you reach out.

Let me know if you have any questions..especially on sizing for your needs.

Best regards,

Thanks Scott! I sent you a PM.

scottsweet wrote:Scott,

If you search here, there are many threads I have commented on this question.

As already stated, Odyssey batteries are hands down the best AGM battery on the market with the best warranty. The primary reason is because they are the only vendor who uses new lead, not recycled lead, to build their batteries. They are not cheap, but they are the best. The 31-2150s have the highest capacity on the market.

If you are willing to spend the big bucks, lithiums are the way to go, but you will pay 3-4x the money, albeit with much less weight. Most lithiums require a special charger; however there is one brand that will work with most chargers that support AGMs....Bioenno Power. The reason is they have special circuitry that allows a full charge on a 12V battery with the AGM programming. However, if you get a 24 or 36V brick, you will need to go to a special charger like the Stealth 1 charger for Lithiums. If you have any questions on this, let me know.

I am sponsored by Odyssey and can offer you a 20% discount if you reach out.

Let me know if you have any questions..especially on sizing for your needs.

Best regards,

I'm gonna add a 'thanks scott' here too, spot on with your advice. you saved me money on my Odyssey's and my 16 yr old Duramax diesel starts faster than it EVER has, self-discharges waaaay slower, and seems like it runs smoother too!! I know, that's my imagination but I'm not kidding... Those massive burst crank amps are also VERY important for direct injection outboards too so I got the biggest 2150 for my outboard start battery.

Have you run those Bioenno lithiums, and if so, how long and with what AH, etc., etc....??

Scottr wrote:Thanks Fishfreq, Yes i'm looking for quality. Can't say I want to spent $3,000 bucks for new batteries but i'm more then willing to pay for good quality AGM batteries if I know what to get.

The batteries I have now are group 27 should I get group 31?

The Interstate batteries came with the boat and would never get them again. Maybe they make some good batteries I don't know but the ones I have are not very good.

Only you can tell if you're the type of angler that needs group 31 vs 27 Scott. Just switching to 27's in thin plate pure lead AGM will give you SO much more capacity, that has been enough for me for many hardcore tournament years. I cover lots of water on the pedal, but I also keep momentum, don't make my boat start and stop a lot. 36v helps too. Some guys I've fished with that run down banks on 80% all day long, do a lot of slowing boat way down and starting it back up hard, or guys that go multiple days without charging might need group 31.

Keep in mind a pure lead 31 is almost 80 lbs!! Pure lead weighs WAY more than lead alloy, but it also holds more energy. My suggestion is if weight is not an issue, go 31, especially if you're 24 volt. If you're efficient on the t/m and you're 36v, go 27's.