Batteries and Battery Chargers

[blakstr1]

This off season I've spent countless hours trying to decide on a battery brand and a new on-board charger to buy.  The season is getting close but I still haven't bought anything!  I need 4 new batteries and a charger...gulp!

I need suggestions!!

Here are a couple specifics about products...does anybody use the Everstart Batteries?  I notice they have an Everstart Maxx model too.

Currently I have Deka batteries

Savage has a Minnkota Charger which he likes, I've looked at these but I need a 4 bank charger (36V TM) last year Minnkota had a MK-440 model but I haven't been seeing it listed in catalogs this year, did they discontinue it?  The Minnkotas are pretty heavy too.

Anybody use one of the Pro Tournament Models from BPS?  They are pretty light weight, but I've yet to hear from someone who owns one.

DOWD has been telling me about the Stealth Chargers, they look awesome and are compact and light exactly what I want but $$$$, I talked to the Guest lady at the Classic too they have a great unit but again $$$...

Money is always an object but I want good products too, I trust the GLB members comments...

Sleepless in Saginaw 

[smbassman]

I have been researching this myself, and for batteries I am going with ACDelco's M30HMF.  They do not have as high of a reserve capacity as Trojan's but I haven't heard anything bad against them.  The are a true maintenance free (no water to add) battery and I have heard most reports on the BFHP of 4-7years of service out of them.  At $80 a piece, that's not too bad.  Another option is the Cabelas' AGMs should be on sale at their outdoor days coming up.  I think they will be about $140 for the large size.  That's about as good of a deal as you are going to get on AGM's.  I looked at the Everstart's but there were too many bad reviews of them.  The only consistent positive was being able to replace them at any Walmart as a convenience and accessibility thing.

For an AC charger, I have the Dual Pro and it works fine.  I had a dual pro on my last boat and it is 11 years old now and it is still going strong.  My new charger did have a problem last year, but a replacement was sent as well as return postage for the damaged one.  The only bad thing was changing the charger myself.  Their customer service was excellent.

If you are interested in a charger to charge from your outboard, truck and from an AC charger - Check out StayNCharge.  Get in contact with Jim Payne and he can explain the benefits.  They are finishing up the testing on the AC charger that goes along with the system(outboard/vehicle charger) and it should be available soon.  The best benefit of this system is the simplicity and the reduced weight/size.

[blakstr1]

yeah i've talked to Jim P. quite a few times, he is almost getting annoyed with me by now because i call him eveyr few weeks with questions but still haven't decided to buy anything...

Does Dual Pro have a 4 bank charger??  I haven't seen one    the AGM's would be nice but you know what $140 x 4 equals...sleeping on the couch!!

[smbassman]

yeah i've talked to Jim P. quite a few times, he is almost getting annoyed with me by now because i call him eveyr few weeks with questions but still haven't decided to buy anything...

Does Dual Pro have a 4 bank charger??? I haven't seen one? ? the AGM's would be nice but you know what $140 x 4 equals...sleeping on the couch!!

They have a 4 bank in the SE series and has 10amps per bank.

You only need 3 AGM's for the trolling motor.  Their main benfit is the ability to have greater run down and recharge cycles.  The starting battery really never sees that big of a run down, even running electronics and pumps all day.  My starting batteries usually last 2-3 years longer than the trolling batteries.  But the ACDelcos are dual purpose batteries so they can be used for both.  I am sure you know that Optimax needs a minimum of 1000 marine cranking amps though.

[blakstr1]

yeah i'm buying 3 for the TM and a new cranking battery so I guess i didn't mean i was buying 4 AGM's but I still got a big price tag ahead, i'll check out the Dual Pro charger though...thanks for the tip..

[Revtro]

I also use a Dual Pro SE and have absolutely no issues with it.  If they make a 4 bank, I'd feel comfortable recommending it.

[dartag]

my used Ranger came with Trojan batteries and Ranger dual pro charger.. i live on a lake and fished 3-5 days a week last year.. never ran them down...  after an 8 hour tournement they recharge in 4-6 hours.. they have an extra terminal on each post in cast you want to add something.. i have a back up bilge pump wired to them... the sticker from Cabelas was  99.00 .   seems like everyone has a favorite battery..

good luck

ss

[DOWD]

Blake,
Here is my setup. I have 3 Cabelas AGM (24 size) for Tm. Those are charged via the stealth. For starting I have a Interstate 31 dual purpose. This battery has everything that is needed, if it is good enought for the commerial guys, its darn well good enough for my boat. The interstate has a 3 year warranty. The Cabelas I am not sure of, but I will bet a months paycheck that they will exchange it out at any time,
The cabelas ar 119 or 129 apiece. I would steer clear of the new Everstart batteries. The old style used to be good, but now they are made made Johnson Controls and are that good. My friend just had 2 go bad on him this past fall (purchased in the Spring of "05).

If you are going to fish alot the agm are the way to go. I was lucky to have them on board this Past Sat when my LU blew up on Lake Erie.

Mark

[Potter]

Blake,

I have one of the BPS chargers, but only for 1 year.  It has worked fine to this point, but it may be to soon to know for sure.


greetings from exit 212

potter

[djkimmel]

Johnson Controls also makes Interstate.

[Bulletproof]

When I had a boat I ran Everstart batteries with no problems.

It had a Guest 3-bank that worked like a charm as well.

[blakstr1]

thanks for all the sugestions guys, but i ended up buying the Pro Tournament 4 bank model from BPS.  I talked to the rep for 2 days staright down there this past weekend and i guess he's a good salesman because he talked me into it, i got a sweet deal though so i'm pretty happy...and satisfied..  its a nice unit, pretty light comparing to other similar models.