What deep cycle batteries are proven to run longer?

[CBR]

I have a trojan deep cycle, one of the bigger ones and I am only getting just a little over 3 hours of constant run time. Does anyone have any suggestions on which ones will run longer?
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[Lundman]

Craig about two years ago I read a battery review article and they said they Trojan line was one of the best for $$ - considering charging time, run time, etc.

But that was before all these high dollar no-maintenance batteries had hit the market. So do some homework before you spend your two hundred dollars...

Another option would be a solar panel tickle charger for your hat...[]

Good Luck.
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[ramp_tramp]

Hi CBR, the truckers swear by jel batteries, twice as much money, I've heard nothing but good about them.
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[Kent]

I was told by a battery distributor that the jel batteries were not meant to be used as deep cycle batteries.
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[PREDATOR]

Oh, what a hornets nest this will be.

This is just my expirience, and everyones will be different, so if you disagree with me, fine.

Currently I run a no name brand deep cycle in the ranger on livewell, bilge, sonar, ect. A walmart everstart as the starting battery, and two trojan deep cycles on the electric motor.

In the weldcraft, I run a everstart walmart baby, on the livewell, sonar, lights, ect, I run a tournament brnad deep cycle, On the electric motor, I run two of the stowaway deep cycles.

In the crestliner I usually run a national.

On my pops trailer, he runs two deep cycle batteries from national.

In may opinion, trojans are ok. I wont be buying them again though. Stowaways, are a better buy for the money I bought mine back when we bought the tracker targa and that was almost six years ago. Still running strong in the big boat.
nationals seem to be a great battery.
But my next batteries will be the optima's.
I would like a couple evertroll's but they are so expensive that you need to be a zillionaire to have a boat full of them.

The optimas are supposed to be a really good battery. I have heard nothing but good reports out of them.

I would only recomend that when buying batteries, you seriously evaluate the place you buy them from.
You can buy a brand new battery that is already bad pretty easy in a lot of places.

Most places that dont specialize in selling batteries, or who dont sell a large volume of batteries have old batteries that have not been cared for, and have gone bad while in thier care.

Places that deal batteries all the time go through stock and always have new batteries, but that doesnt always mean they take care of the stuff when they get it.
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[kastmaster]

Craig,

If you are running at least a 30# thrust trolling motor, you will be drawing at least 30 amps from that battery on high speed. Depending on the model that you have, (I have an SCS225, that battery is rated at 7.1 hrs at 15 amps ) the run time that you have with your current battery is pretty close to the specs. If you will just be on your pontoon, maybe a smaller electric could extend the runtime from your battery. You could also use two 6V batteries for longer run times, but it might be too much of a hassle in a pontoon, besides adding a lot of weight to the craft. For me, Trojans are a good buy, but the Everstart brand from Walmart may be a better buy. Have fun shopping around.
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[FishN2Dmax]

If you don't mind changing out your batteries ever year, go with Wally Mart / Sams Club Stowaway batteries. I'm very careful with my batteries to make sure they're always stored inside during winter and have a computerized ( smart) charger on them and water levels are full. I've never had a stowway last more than 2 years, most only last one year?

I have found the interstate deep cycle batteries to be the best lead acid deep cycle batteries for my boat. Previously I used stowaways on my 5th wheel travel trailer and boat. Every year I would have one or more go bad. The good news is Wally Mart/ Sams will exchange them for NEW (" one year") Stowaways for free in the first year. I'd have to agree the optima's and the newer ( expensive) technology batteries are the best. I have two new optimas in my truck after the factory delco's died a month after my warranty expired .

I've found the use of two 6 volt golf cart batteries ( heavy) in series is the best option my 5th wheel trailer. For my boat with a 78# 24 volt electric bow mount trolling motor, I use two interstate deep cycles lead acid batteries in series and another for the main cranking/starter battery. I've used my trolling motor for 8-10 hours+ before having to charge my 3 year old interstates.

If you don't care about unpredictability, reliability and the hassle of taking back batteries every year, go with the low cost Stowaways ( free exchange every year). They'll work great for a year.

Seriously, I highly recommend the Interstates as the best value. You can find them for around $50-60 each. If you have $200-250 to burn, go with the Optima's or Evertroll's.
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[kastmaster]

I myself am curious to see how long my Everstart trolling battery will last (got it in May). Like you, I am very religious about keeping my batteries in tip-top shape. This Trojan SCS225 was used for my tent trailer and is close to the end of its life, so I am in the market for another deep cycle battery. I forgot about Interstate batteries, had one in my car for 5+ years, do you know who carries Interstate batteries?
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[Troll]

I bought a new Costco start/deep biggest battery 3 years ago. Last year it was stored outside without charging, it still works great.

I have a 3 year old Costco for my trolling motor, (43 lb, draws about 40 amps WOT) it will run good for about 3 hrs then run down fast. I'm not sure who manufactures them for Costco. I'm not saying there the best, they are sure a good price, and no hassel on any returns I've had with them.

There seems to be a bit of advise involving using 2 six volt batteries in series to get longer run times. I was wondering, what about 2 12 volt batteries in parallel? Would that have the effect of a big big battery? would I get the # of amp hours added together?
The reason I ask is that I would rather have a couple of 12 volt batteries around that I could use alone or together as well as using them for other 12 volt applications.
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[piscispursuit]

Maybe I'm too late and you already made your purchase, but I run dual Optima Blue (marine deep cycle, manufacturer # D31M) on my Motorguide PTS (24 Volt) and get 5-6 hours out of them. Sears carries these batteries at $196.00.
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[MisterCompletely]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]It's probably common knowledge because I've read it in several places, but it's a good idea to recharge your batteries as soon as possible and not leave them sitting around almost dead. I put the charger on my batteries as soon as I get home. Maybe it helps and maybe not, but it does make good sense in my mind, and they're always charged up and ready to go when I am. [/size][/font]
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