Starting Battery

[Fisher_Of_Men]

Ok Guys,

I need some advice. I have a battery that is fading, not taking a charge very well and runs down quick.

What kind of battery should I get? I would normally just go to Wally World or Academy and get the best they got. Most are under $75.00. I really can't spend the money for one of those fancy "Gel Cells".

This is my main starting battery in my boat. (I have two...)

What are you guys using?

Thanks in advance..

[WestEndAngler]

27 series marine battery

[007]

I have a "Sure Start" battery from wally world and it takes a charge great. Are you sure it's not the alternator on your motor? Have you checked the connections on the battery and alternator?

[Fisher_Of_Men]

I have a "Sure Start" battery from wally world and it takes a charge great. Are you sure it's not the alternator on your motor? Have you checked the connections on the battery and alternator?

I did check the connections on the motor. All seems good. I ran on battery #2 a few times and it is ok, it doesn't run down. Battery #1 runs down by the end of the day. Both batteries are two years old... These are the original batteries from the dealer.. They are "Exide Marine"...I looked them up and they are nothing special. The only thing that may be special is that they are 1000 CCA batteries. When I looked them up they were rated for engines 150 HP or greater...

[WestEndAngler]

I bought a battery last year and it was dead I got it replaced for free...I bought 4 new ones for the Robalo I got some discount from the manufacturer b/c they still had warranty left on them.

[coachlaw]

I have a gel cell because my dad gave it to me. It's nice, but if I'm paying I go wet cell. I think the main advantage to a gel cell is you don't have to check the water level. I don't mind doing so, but if your batts are in a place that's tough to get to . . . .

[Robalo]

The gell cell's take the pounding better and seem to hold the charge better and are maintenance free. That's about the main differences.

[Redfishr]

I've always bought the marine batts at walmart and had really good luck with them.
I have four on my boat.
Two for trolling motor, two for boat.

[Unclehandy]

I had the same wet batteries from wal-mart for years on my boat. Exide I think. Never checked the levels once, lasted about 4-5 years. Even if they do go out, they are a third of the price of gel.

[boom]

Gel cells can be mounted in any position, take a pounding, and can be submerged. Submerge a lead acid battery in saltwater and you get chlorine gas. Also, in Monte's friends boat capsizing case, gel cell batteries enabled them to have comunication and lights during their ordeal. Well worth the expense in my opinion.
..7, I doubt that it is his altenator because unless it is an inboard, it doesn't have one. :)

[Race1Mopar]

The gell cell's take the pounding better and seem to hold the charge better and are maintenance free. That's about the main differences.

Gell cells are also known as AGM batteries. AGM, Absorbant Glass Material in addition to all of the other qualities you listed take a charge faster that wet cell batteries so when you run them down with all your electronics on your drift patterns the minute you crank that motor to swing around they will get closer to being charged than if you had a regular wet cell.

I love my AGM batteries. I run them for trolling motor and main batteries. Yes there expensive but then again the've pulled some hard sun up to sun down days for me too without complaining.

Joe

[Unclehandy]

Gel cells can be mounted in any position, take a pounding, and can be submerged. Submerge a lead acid battery in saltwater and you get chlorine gas. Also, in Monte's friends boat capsizing case, gel cell batteries enabled them to have comunication and lights during their ordeal. Well worth the expense in my opinion.
..7, I doubt that it is his altenator because unless it is an inboard, it doesn't have one. :)

I agree, but for bay boats its probably not as necessary. I would definitely have them on a boat going past 50 miles out.

[rtoler]

I was getting ready to get some gel cells for my 200 Yamaha and the guy behind the counter said not to. The charging system does not agree with them for some reason. The Yamaha rep said the same thing. But....... There are plenty people that use them on their Yamahas with no prob.......

[kenny]

I have had good luck with regular Academy or Walmart batteries. The short Academy deep cycle is an 07 and going strong.