Trolling Battery Recomendations?

[garyk]

I need to purchase two batteries for a 24v electric trolling motor.

I was thinking about using that GIJoes 20% coupon on a couple of Optimas, since they carry those.

After reading the archived threads, most folks seemed to think that Optima and Rolls were the best choices for deep cycle trolling batteries.

Has anything changed since that distant thread? Any pro's or con's about the Optima line - as far as deep cycle batteries go? Thanks!

[shalom]

Boath of the batterys that you mentioned will do a good job for you . I!ve had good luck with Trojan batterys . Most deep cycle batterys are a group 27 , if you will step up to a group 31 you will have a little larger battery that has a lot more storeage power to d operate your batterys . They are a little hard to find. E-mail me and i will look up where i bough mine .

[Smj]

I suscribe to Bass and Walleye Boats mag. In articles I've read it states that gel batteries need specific charge rates (no more than 14.1 volts), compared to flooded cell batteries to get the most out of them and not damage them. Cost of gell batteries is another factor. I get the idea from the articles I've read that, if you were a professional bass/walleye fisherman and were discharging batteries 3 to 5 or more times a week then yes, the gels are the way to go as they can be fully cycled more times than flooded cell batteries. Another reason gels are good is if you have extremely limited space for batteries and have to lay them on their side, is that a problem you have?


Costco is a good way to go for your deep cycles. I've been using (abusing, neglecting) one of their batteries for three years now and it hasn't failed me yet, good price too.

Trojan bateries are supposed to be one of the best you can buy also.

If I were you Gary, I would talk to alot of people before I put down the kind of money they want for the gel cells. That means people that aren't trying to sell gels

Smj

[willierower]

Im running Optima's. So far so good.

If you get Gell cell batteries make sure you get a charger that has a setting for Gell cell's. Gell cells require a different charging curve then regular lead acid batteries.

Minn Kota smart chargers have 4 different charging curves for the various types of batteries. They cost a lot more then regular chargers, but they will save you money in the long run on the costs of replacement batteries.

[Fish mojo]

Trojans all the way. Talk to the bass and walleye guys. I run 2 group 29's in series (24v) on my minnkota autopilot. I just used my 20% GI Joes coupon and got the minnkota co-pilot wireless remote for $30 off. No more foot control to trip over.

[skrimmy]

Optima. Can't go wrong.