ATCER

With so many batteries to choose from these days, just wondering who makes a great marine battery for a good price??? I'll need three batteries total (one for each engine) and one for electronics...I'm thinking as long as I find a marine/RV deep cycle battery I should be good right??? Somebody set me straight,lol...thanks

kchace

With a 3 battery, 2 engine setup you need 2 Marine Starting batteries for the engines and 1 Marine Deep Cycle battery for the electronics. As far as *what* battery type/brand you go with, well everybody has an opinion on this. Some people think its worth it to go with AGM style batteries and others are happy with *standard* Marine batteries. AGMs are definitely better, but whether they're worth it to you or not is a different matter.

Personally, I've had very good service with the standard marine batteries from Walmart. If you want to go AGM type, Sears has a good one. Whatever you get, make sure the starting batteries are at least as big as recommended by your engine mfgr. The house battery size is not so cut and dried, but I think its a good idea to go with as big a battery as practical - a group 27 at least.

Ken

Lazy_Iguana

I wanted an AGM starting battery, but the Optimax manual calls for a 1000 cca starting battery - and I could not find an AGM with that rating. So I went with a Bass Pro sealed lead acid battery. There may be some AGMs with the 1000 cca rating, but I did not have time to shop around. I was leaving on vacation with the boat, and needed a battery before I left. I knew battery 1 was getting low, and did not want any problems on vacation. So lack of planning on my part (putting off buying another battery) did constitute a mini emergency of sorts.

The second battery is a deep cycle marine battery. When I replace that thing I may go AGM.

Personally, I like the batteries that DO NOT require adding water. One less thing to worry about.

I will not buy any more Auto Zone marine batteries. I bought two and only a year later they were starting to act funny. I sold the boat before I could go back to Auto Zone and fight with them to pro-rate the things. Oddly enough, the Auto Zone battery in my truck has been good for a long time now. But their "deep cycle" marine batteries apparently suck.

As for "good"brands, I would say anything that is not an Auto Zone marine battery.

Codfisher

Sears Marine Platinum AGM Die Hards

Glen E

merc require 1000 MCA not CCA for all thier opti and V motors - they only require 800cca...and many agm's meet that - sears, odyssey, cabella, exide and merc's own agm....

Birdman

Deka also makes a great AGM. I saw the Odyssey's being made from 100% pure lead this week on "Modern Marvels: LEAD". Love that show.....

ATCER

Just getting home from work, thanks all of you for your input!! The other thread just above mine was very imformative as well...thanks again, John
More comments welcome!

23Dorado

MrPat

What engines do you have? Look in your manual to make sure the batteries you are choosing meet the motor requirements. Yamaha's need a battery with 182 reserve minutes, along with the 512 CCA minimum requirement.

I have had excellentservice from my Deka lead/acid batteries. They also make Gel Cell (Don't buy this type) and AGM's (Great, but $$$).
Here's the DEKA Spec Sheet link.

http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/assets/base/0194.pdf

I use the group 27 starting battery for the motors and a group 31 Deep Cycle for the electronics and accessories.

sandyda

Every battery you can buy in the US today comes from one of three major or 5 smaller factories. Each of those factories can make cheap, medium and expensive product and slap on some dealer's label. Buying a certain brand is near meaningless, and has damn little to do with how long it will last. THAT's up to you, and depends on how you charge it and how you store it.

After you've found a few batteries that meet your spec's, compare warranties and weight. Somebody's experience in one corner of the country is of limited, anecdotal value. That same model from a store at another corner of the country will likely come from a different factory!

ATCER

Great info guys, thanks...After I get the batteries, I'll need to keep them charged!! I'm thinking about the 3 bank charger at West Marine for about $200.00...It will charge all my batteries with only one hookup...Is this the way to go??? Thanks, John

Glen E

This the regional manager for odyssey discussing chargers - he has no interest in what he recommends:

http://www.veradoclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=362.0

aitkenkingfish

well im going to chime in ill have twin 60 hp motors / electronics/ 24 volt trolling system? will I need 5 battieries?

emudryj

petrel

While you are at it, consider a good battery isolator too. Also, to chime in with some previous posts, the DEKA batteries are good batteries. I've used them as farm tractor batteries, and for cranking and house batteries in our sf. They seem to outlast everything.