Humminbird Side Imaging Forums
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Long Hair on May 14, 2015, 06:37:38 PM
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A couple years ago, I bought 2 batteries at the same time. I bought a pretty expensive AGM for the trolling motor at Bass Pro and one for the big motor at Sam's Club for about 1/4 the price. They both need to be replaced this year. I charged both a couple weeks ago and found the regular battery didn't hold a full charge long so I bought a Duracell at Sam's for about $55. I bought a new battery charger at Sears and charged up the AGM again last Wednesday. Yesterday the AGM seemed to lose power real quick. I charged it up again all day long and it's only on 25% charge right now.
So, I need to buy a new Deep Cycle battery. Guess what, I Ain't buyin an expensive AGM no more. That's my rulin. I coulda bought 4 regular deep cycles at Sam's for the same price.
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AGMs are cheap. Look into a pair of these...
http://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/products/12v-100ah-lithium-ion-battery/ (http://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/products/12v-100ah-lithium-ion-battery/)
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I reckon I need dumb batteries LMAO. Caint afford no Smart uns
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I just buy the Everstart Maxx from Walmart ...Walmarts are everywhere ...
They are 24 month free replacement and maintenance free ...
They last about 4 years ... Sometimes 5 ...
$99
There are only 3 battery manufacturers left ...
Johnson Controls makes them for Walmart ...
Rickie
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Just as important as your batteries are the quality of your battery chargers.
I've used Guest charges for years, and they've been great.
What I do is to turn on the chargers about once every 3 days to top off the batteries. Then I turn them off. I don't leave the chargers on all the time.
A bad/cheap charger may overcharge and cook a battery. I had that happen one time, using a cheap charger. The battery got incredibly hot. It fried it.
The absolute worst thing you can do is to leave your batteries discharged, especially after fishing and draining them way down.
You can buy a brand new battery, fish with it, then let it sit in the cold for 3 months (discharged), and it will be totally ruined. If a battery is neglected, then it doesn't matter how new it is.
There is absolutely nothing more important on a boat than the batteries.
They are the lifeblood. Without them, you ain't going nowhere, and you ain't doing nothing.
I used to buy Gel batteries, they are expensive, but I've gotten 10 years out of a couple of them.
Now, I'm going to do just like Rickie.
Get them from Wallmart. $100 bucks for their biggest marine battery, with a 2-year warranty.
If you're diligent about making sure your batteries have the proper amount of distilled water (if applicable), and you keep them charged regularly, you will get the most out of them.
You don't have to use a battery in order for it to discharge. It will discharge just by sitting.
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Two other bits of advice:
- Don't mix battery technologies in your battery bank (ie. one AGM plus one lead-acid) unless you have separate battery chargers for each,
- and don't mix old batteries with new batteries in a bank (unless your battery charger is able to charge each battery independently of the others).
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I only use 1 battery for the trollin motor, deep cycle and one for the big motor, regular marine starting. The charger I just replaced was a Shumacher that just wasn't reliable anymore and the new one is a Sears Die Hard Gold. It has settings for gel or acid or AGM and has 4 different settings for charge and amps. I normally always charge my batteries during the winter and off months and turn the engine over regularly, mostly for lube and just to keep the snake awake that lives in the boat to eat the mice. Besides, I like to hear it crank.
I get a better deal at Sam's Club than Walmart too.