Battery Buying

I don't know how many of you have any interest in this but I just did some shopping for Deep Cycle batteries for my trolling motor and electronics.

I have had my BassCat for 6 years now with the original DEKA AGM Deep Cycle batteries. I have never run them down in spite of long days in the wind. That is until last Wednesday when they quit all at once. After 6 years I am not surprised. AGM is a glass pak, no maintenance battery that charges in pretty short times, typically 3-4 hours back to full charge.

So, I decided to price new AGMs. My boat dealer quoted DEKAs group 27 at $245 each. This are equivalent to what I have now. I think I paid $170 each 6 years ago. They are manufactured by East Penn Manufacturing.

I checked lead acid batteries at Auto Zone at $98.

AGM at Batteries + at $332. High but with a 5 year total replacement warranty.

BassPro were $204 group 27, 256.99 for group 31

Costco - no AGMs

Academy- no AGMS

Sears - Platinum AGM group 31 - $279

Clark Marine - AGM group 31 - $265

Sams Club - Duracell Marine Deep Cycle group 31- $166.00 (Duracells are made by East Penn Manufacturing, same as DEKAs. They would not install on boats.

I wasn't entirely certain that group 31s would fit in my metal battery frame. I removed both old batteries at great physical duress (one of the handles broke) lifting them onto the boat deck.

I finally bought 2 of the Duracells from Sams

Lifting the heavy batteries onto the boat deck and moving old ones from the deck to my Suburban almost did me in.

I finally installed the batteries, locked them down then began to rewire them for 24 volts. The crossover cable was 2 inches short. Went to nearby Clark Marine and saw a blister pack of this kind of cable about 12 feet long at $38.99. Whew!! A mechanic happened to walk by and I asked about a cable about 10" long. He came back with one for $14. That works.

Checked with Noah about connecting procedures here. He suggested unplugging the trolling motor so there would be no load. Hooked up, tightened down, tried the trolling motor and then electronics. It all worked. Whew!!

The AGM batteries are certainly more expensive than lead acids but if I get the same performance that did on my originals it will be worth it.