battery question???

[chase5004]

I thought this topic came up on the old board however, I could not find it.

I need to get three new batteries this year. I have used Interstate marine and have been very happy with them, but they are kinda $$$$. I was looking at the XPS batteries at BPS and was curious to know if any of you fellas have had any experience with them good or bad? What other batteries might you recommend?

Thanks
Pat

[Roy Randolph]

Pat before you go changing brands try this

Call the Iterstate Batteries Troy Warehouse at 248 589 9084 and ask for Chris or Jeph yes its spelled ?jeph? they are brothers and own the warehouse.

Drop my name and tell them what you?re looking for.

#1They should be cheaper then a store and #2 they will be fresher

Good luck this season!

[blakstr1]

i'm looking really hard at the Cabelas AGM's..they have been really durable and they are walk-in and walk out with a new one if one goes bad by chance...

[yukonjack2]

When I was down at Ranger boats for the product knowlege last month, they said to stay away from Optima - AGM should be fine.  they of course reccomend everstarts, probably related to sponsorship.  I have 3 Everstarts ( came with the boat),with no problems going into year 3.

[djkimmel]

The thing about buying 'store brand' batteries is knowing who actually made them.

I buy Deka because I know they made them. I know what I'm getting and where they came from. Plus Deka (East Penn Manufacturing) makes all 3 main battery types - wet cell, AGM and Gel - check this great battery difference chart (PDF though so don't click if you don't have Adobe reader installed) out for the differences and their applications - another reason I appreciate Deka - they've taught me a ton about batteries.

I use wet cell Marine Master 31s because they fit my application the best.

There are only so many battery manufacturers and some of the store brands are made by more than one. I've had anglers tell me, "I don't like brand X so I buy brand Y." And I'm standing there knowing that brand Y is made by the company brand X. Go figure.

I don't know who makes Cabela's or if they'll tell you. Some of the EverStart are made by Johnson Control - makers of Interstate and Optima (their home brand) and quite a few store brands. Some EverStarts were made by Exide. I think that has gone away, but I have not checked on that in a while. I used Interstates before I switched to Deka two years ago. I get my Deka from Wonch Battery in Michigan (517-394-3600 | 800-444-4148).

BPS told me 2 or 3 years ago that Deka made their XPS batteries. That can change from year to year, and from battery model to battery model, especially with a store brand as large as BPS.

You don't have to know who actually makes your batteries. And I don't have all the answers as to quality and production differences because of arrangements between major stores and the original manufacturer, but I really do believe knowledge is power (and makes for smarter purchases).

[djkimmel]

I forgot to mention confidence and actual experience are nice too. If you've used a brand and like it - had great luck with, then stick with it.

If you know anglers who fish a lot, you can do like we do here and ask them their experiences over time and seasons.

Just remember that the store brands can change year-to-year, so one year you may be using an EverStart made by Johnson Control and buy the same 'model' EverStart the next year and it is being made by a totally different company. It may work for you and it may not.

[chase5004]

A HUGE thanks to Roy Randolph.

Roy, I spoke with the people at the Troy warehouse. Man, what a wealth of knowledge they are. They assisted me with the situation.

Thanks again, I look forward to helping you out some day

Thanks
Pat

[Bulletproof]

Everstart have never let me down.  Unless I forget to charge them