Apparently winter killed one of my Interstate trolling batteries. I'll probably change both as a pair since it's a 24V system. Would you replace both and what would you buy?
Batteries
- Thread starter Spurhunter
- Start date
I've tried them all and I see no noticeable in improvement from the deep cycle marine batteries from Walmart.
I tried the AGMs and had a bad experience although others swear by them.
Get the largest group size you can fit in your boat.
I tried the AGMs and had a bad experience although others swear by them.
Get the largest group size you can fit in your boat.
BlackEagle1
Well-Known Member
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- Aug 16, 2016
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I'll agree with Pilchard. The only battery I refuse to buy are interstate. I had the best life out of optima AGM, but idk if the juice is worth the squeeze
Over the years I've had as good or better luck with Walmart Everstarts than anything else.
Why do Interstate batteries get such a bad rap?
BlackEagle1
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- Aug 16, 2016
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I can kill an interstate just by looking at it, but I don't know why. I caint get one to survive even as a dedicated cranking battery.
My fishing buddy says it should be illegal for Interstate to even sell a marine battery. He hates them! I bought my boat used 28 months ago and it came with 2 Interstate trolling batteries and an Interstate cranking battery. All 3 looked new. This one was the first of the 3 to bite the dust.
I buy the wally world batteries,have luck as long as i add distilled water as needed.I have tried interstate batteries a couple times and always had bad luck,dont care to run them anymore.Buddies run the big trogen golf cart batteries,unfortunately my boat dont have the height for them or i would be running them.
dpmiller613
Well-Known Member
I've used Wally World batteries for the last 15 years or more with no issues. This is in marine, dozers, tractors, excavators, ATVs, UTVs, etc. with much less trouble than I've had with Interstate. And they seem to be less expensive.
Do you mean charge two batteries at once with one charger?
Some of you that are running a TM that needs a bunch of juice or a bunch of electronics might want to start looking at the lithium batteries. They are still VERY high in cost, but, according to the reports provide 100% energy until they are 100% discharged. They are about a half or third of the weight (and size) of a lead battery, and, according to reports, are lasting up to five years. And, supposedly, they are faster to recharge. When you factor in the replacement period for lead batteries against the life of a lithium, the costs aren't that one-sided.
They are very popular in the flats skiffs where weight and size are pretty important. Microskiff.com has some good info on them.
They are coming down in price, and likely will be what I try to do on my next battery replacement.
They are very popular in the flats skiffs where weight and size are pretty important. Microskiff.com has some good info on them.
They are coming down in price, and likely will be what I try to do on my next battery replacement.
No. "Change" the 2 batteries as a pair since it's a 24V system.
Dakota lithium. 16 lbs vs 60+Lbs for an EverStart depending on the size. That's a big weight difference. 11 year warranty vs 1 yr on the walmart EverStarts. Definitely not cheap but the weight difference alone is worth it to me.
shopson
Well-Known Member
Sounds like Everstarts are a top choice. Personally I use advance auto batteries because you can usually find a coupon online and get a bargain. They've held up well for me.
The 24V Dakota has 52.5 Ah and weighs 32 pounds.
A Group 24 AGM has 78 Ah and weighs 52 pounds and I would need 2 of them.
So I can shed 72 pounds, but is 52.5 Ah enough? It sounds awfully low compared to lead acid and AGM.
If you have anything over a 40 pound thrust trolling motor, you'll probably have to get into their 100 Ah version, and that's going to cost you out the rear because you'll need 2 for your 24 volt and they are high. I get away with the 54 Ah because my boat only has a 40 lb thrust trolling motor and a pull start Outboard. 54 Ah is plenty for me and runs my trolling motor and Humminbird Helix 7. In my case, my boat is just a 14 footer with a 5 hp outboard so shedding the weight is of benefit for me.
you will want to replace both batteries, unless the good one is almost new. the thing about lead acid deep cycle batteries is that they are not all created equal despite the brand. you have to look at their depth of discharge rating per cycle life to figure out about how long they will last. i have interstates now and havent had any trouble with them but i use a 3 stage charger and dont run them dead which increases the number of cycles i can get out of them.
a lot of folks buy the wrong size lead acid batteries for their tm head, usually too small, use a single stage charger, dont top them off correctly and run them dead in the dirt all the time. a lot of those hybrid batteries are not true deep cycle batteries and have thinner plates which wont last long either. AGM's may be a little less maintenance wise but ive had problems with cranking batteries so ive never used them for tm's.
you size a lifepo4 almost same as you would a deep cycle lead acid battery. you want the battery amp rating to be the same or a little higher than your tm head max amp rating. using minn kota as an example by their chart:
https://www.minnkotamotors.com/site...es/min_productmanual_batt-wire-selct-gde1.pdf
on the 24v series that 24 volt would be fine for up to 70 lb thrust and possibly ok for the 80lb thrust, but id probably up it to the 100ah to be on the safe side and longer run time. notice how a 12v tm at 50 lbs draws more than a 70 at 24v or 110 at 36v.
as far as run time a 50ah lifepo4 is equivalent to a 100ah lead acid deep cycle battery. as far as the high cost, youll be better off or at least break even with a lifepo4 because of the higher cycles and better life with heat and cold.
probably what ill move to when this set of interstates crap out. ive been eyeing the 60ah from the battery store. those also have built in circuit protection, but im not sure yet.
anyway hope this helps.
a lot of folks buy the wrong size lead acid batteries for their tm head, usually too small, use a single stage charger, dont top them off correctly and run them dead in the dirt all the time. a lot of those hybrid batteries are not true deep cycle batteries and have thinner plates which wont last long either. AGM's may be a little less maintenance wise but ive had problems with cranking batteries so ive never used them for tm's.
you size a lifepo4 almost same as you would a deep cycle lead acid battery. you want the battery amp rating to be the same or a little higher than your tm head max amp rating. using minn kota as an example by their chart:
https://www.minnkotamotors.com/site...es/min_productmanual_batt-wire-selct-gde1.pdf
on the 24v series that 24 volt would be fine for up to 70 lb thrust and possibly ok for the 80lb thrust, but id probably up it to the 100ah to be on the safe side and longer run time. notice how a 12v tm at 50 lbs draws more than a 70 at 24v or 110 at 36v.
as far as run time a 50ah lifepo4 is equivalent to a 100ah lead acid deep cycle battery. as far as the high cost, youll be better off or at least break even with a lifepo4 because of the higher cycles and better life with heat and cold.
probably what ill move to when this set of interstates crap out. ive been eyeing the 60ah from the battery store. those also have built in circuit protection, but im not sure yet.
anyway hope this helps.
Last edited:
Safari Hunt
Well-Known Member
When I had a bass boat, I unhooked the battery if not using it for a while; kept water level to mark. Winter, took it out and put it in the basement. On board charger would be a good idea, as recommended. FWIW, there are only 5 manufacturers in the US. Chances are any battery is made by one of them, unless an import.
my on board 3 stage stays plugged in 24/7. it keeps them floating until it senses enough discharge to turn back on the absorption stage. i check them monthly.
if you decide to go lifepo4 route then you will more than likely have to invest in another charger unless the manufacturer has included the circuitry in the battery. they use 4 cells of 3.2v-3.6v and a regular charger supplies too much voltage for too long, not really enough bulk current and they do not need the float stage, only a bulk and absorption stage and then it kicks off to keep from charging to 100%. lithium batteries like about 50% for storage to keep from damaging the battery.
same for the alternator on a boat motor if using as a cranking battery, it would require a dc-dc converter unless its built into the battery.
if you decide to go lifepo4 route then you will more than likely have to invest in another charger unless the manufacturer has included the circuitry in the battery. they use 4 cells of 3.2v-3.6v and a regular charger supplies too much voltage for too long, not really enough bulk current and they do not need the float stage, only a bulk and absorption stage and then it kicks off to keep from charging to 100%. lithium batteries like about 50% for storage to keep from damaging the battery.
same for the alternator on a boat motor if using as a cranking battery, it would require a dc-dc converter unless its built into the battery.
I have a Minn Kota in my little boat and a Guest that came in my bass boat. I used to be partial to Pro XL which is what I had in my last bass boat, but I think Minn Kota might be the best out now.
was looking for the force specs and found this some how. dang, 14 hours of use on a 54ah 24v system.
https://dakotalithium.com/2020/07/13/trolling-motors-how-does-the-power-setting-impact-run-time/
https://dakotalithium.com/2020/07/13/trolling-motors-how-does-the-power-setting-impact-run-time/
yeah, 5000 charge cycles is fishing every day for 13 years, if you charge them everyday. sounds almost too good to be true.
I just don't know about the warranty. 11 years is great but what does it actually cover? If my battery craps out at 7 years do they cover it (prorated I'm guessing) or do they say that's normal wear and tear and not materials and workmanship? If I knew the warranty was rock solid I could justify the cost. I would love to shed the weight.
i guess there is the fine print:
https://dakotalithium.com/wp-conten...ranty-Policy-for-Dakota-Lithium-Batteries.pdf
https://dakotalithium.com/faq_cat/faq-returns-warranty-policy/#warranty-return-policy
thats more believable, 2000 cycles which the average for these type of batteries is 1900 cycles at 100% vs 300-1000 cycles for lead acid deep cycle. it probably would get 5000 at 80% discharge. still if it lasts 7 hours of fishing that may be only 50% discharge and last longer.
looks like the first 5 years is credit replace or repair if defective and repair after that.
shedding weight would be nice but id have to lose 50 pounds because all my batteries are port side to counterbalance a single driver weight, lol.
