Battery Options

[harmanoff]

So, my deep cycle Everstart battery died this year, 2nd one in 2 years and since it's a replacement for a bad battery the warranty isn't valid...BS if you ask me. So, I'm in the market to get a new battery for my boat. I have a 2002 Mercury 60HP Bigfoot, would going to a 24v Lithium be a good idea? They are lighter which is nice and may last longer but would my motor charge that battery? I've heard stories that if your motor isn't equipped with something it won't charge the lithium batteries...advice?

 

[racerone]

Why 24 volt ??----What voltage is the system on the Mercury ?

 

[harmanoff]

oh i dont know the voltage just what ive heard, and i think im going to pass on those haha range from 400 and up...atleast what i saw quickly looking

 

[matt167]

Unless you want to fry your motor, 24v is a bad idea… and that warranty policy is standard battery warranty. If you could warranty the replacement on its date of manufacture, then theoretically you could get a lifetime replacement if your battery lasted less than the duration. When i worked a parts counter 5 years ago now. I had a guy bring in his battery that he treated with baking soda ( didn’t even clean up the evidence) thinking he could get a second warranty. Joke was on him.I’d personally just get another everstart.

 

[Scott Danforth]

A trolling motor may be 24 volt (or 36 or 48). But your outboard is 12 volt

 

[alldodge]

Most cases you get what you pay for, Everstart are low budget Bats. You mentioned

my deep cycle Everstart battery died this year

so I'm figuring 1 Bat at 12V

So long as you don't have a trolling motor, I would suggest a good AGM Bat, group 31 or 27 (Major Brands Duracell, Trojan, Odyssey, Interstate, Deka)

Also install a good maintenance charger to plug in when not in use

 

[matt167]

Most cases you get what you pay for, Everstart are low budget Bats. You mentioned

so I'm figuring 1 Bat at 12V

So long as you don't have a trolling motor, I would suggest a good AGM Bat, group 31 or 27 (Major Brands Duracell, Trojan, Odyssey, Interstate, Deka)

Also install a good maintenance charger to plug in when not in use

Keep in mind, East Penn and Johnson controls are the 2 companies who make all lead acid batteries. East Penn is Deka and interstate is Johnson Controls. Everstart batteries are either East Penn or Johnson Controls depending on region. Duracell is manufactured by East Penn

 

[alldodge]

Keep in mind, East Penn and Johnson controls are the 2 companies who make all lead acid batteries. East Penn is Deka and interstate is Johnson Controls. Everstart batteries are either East Penn or Johnson Controls depending on region. Duracell is manufactured by East Penn

Have heard that many times before but never seen any data showing they all have same capacity. Check weight, there is a difference in many of them

 

[alldodge]

And speaking of there are only 2 manufactures, ever hear of Lifeline? Those Bats cost a lot more are heavier and last longer then any Bat I've ever used

 

[alldodge]

Keep in mind, East Penn and Johnson controls are the 2 companies who make all lead acid batteries.

You did use the "ALL" word so I had to check, it's just what I do

Just a short search I find there are more then 2 and link below is just one of the many
https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/top-suppliers/battery-manufacturers-suppliers/

 

[matt167]

Common run of the mill batteries that can be bought anywhere have 2 manufacturers. I guess I shouldn’t have said “all” because you’re right there are a few specialty outliers. Lead acid is also used in other battery systems beyond automotive/rv/ marine.

Edit: there are 3 major manufacturers. I was missing Stryten which I believe is Exide

 

[matt167]

Have heard that many times before but never seen any data showing they all have same capacity. Check weight, there is a difference in many of them

But the warranties are generally handled the same.. I’ve actually had an interstate battery quit after a year and then have the retailer decline warranty because their tester was broken. Never had an issue getting at least the warranty period out of a Walmart battery. And I’ve even warrantied a battery that was in a used car I bought

 

[alldodge]

Common run of the mill batteries that can be bought anywhere have 2 manufacturers. I guess I shouldn’t have said “all” because you’re right there are a few specialty outliers. Lead acid is also used in other battery systems beyond automotive/rv/ marine.

Edit: there are 3 major manufacturers. I was missing Stryten which I believe is Exide

Specialty keep digging?
Lifeline makes Lifeline marine and RV
Enersys makes Odyssey , military, auto, marine

Just try a little to look or let it go

 

[matt167]

Specialty keep digging?
Lifeline makes Lifeline marine and RV
Enersys makes Odyssey , military, auto, marine

Just try a little to look or let it go

I think we’re getting too far off topic for the OPs needs

 

[docmirror]

So, my deep cycle Everstart battery died this year, 2nd one in 2 years and since it's a replacement for a bad battery the warranty isn't valid...BS if you ask me. So, I'm in the market to get a new battery for my boat. I have a 2002 Mercury 60HP Bigfoot, would going to a 24v Lithium be a good idea? They are lighter which is nice and may last longer but would my motor charge that battery? I've heard stories that if your motor isn't equipped with something it won't charge the lithium batteries...advice?

Are you in a location with a significant annual freeze, like upper mid-west? Do you keep the batt on a maintainer/charger? A deep cycle battery as the name implies is used for low power continuous drain, and not high current starting. The plates in the deep cycle are fairly thin, and do not react well to engine starting current draw. They tend to warp with significant current draw like cranking the engine for a while. Unless you use it for trolling, you would be better off with a regular starting battery designed for high current starting power. Even though your motor doesn't really draw that much, running the starter for longer than a few seconds heats the batt.

 

[dingbat]

A deep cycle battery as the name implies is used for low power continuous drain, and not high current starting. The plates in the deep cycle are fairly thin, and do not react well to engine starting current draw. They tend to warp with significant current draw like cranking the engine for a while.

You have it backwards

What is the difference between a deep cycle and starting battery

A quick and informative explanation of the difference between a deep cycle and a starting battery.

www.techbatterysolutions.com

“A starting or cranking battery is designed to deliver a large burst of power for a short period of time. The plate structure of the everyday starting battery also differs greatly from that of the deep cycle.

The starting battery plates will be much thinner and a sponge like texture instead of a thick solid plate. The reason behind this is that the sponge like material is porous and gives a very large surface area for the active material to generate power.”

 

[docmirror]

You have it backwards

What is the difference between a deep cycle and starting battery

A quick and informative explanation of the difference between a deep cycle and a starting battery.

www.techbatterysolutions.com

“A starting or cranking battery is designed to deliver a large burst of power for a short period of time. The plate structure of the everyday starting battery also differs greatly from that of the deep cycle.

The starting battery plates will be much thinner and a sponge like texture instead of a thick solid plate. The reason behind this is that the sponge like material is porous and gives a very large surface area for the active material to generate power.”

Yeah, I have the plate config backward, sorry. However, if he's using the deep cycle for starting, the issue may still cause plate warpage.

 

[dingbat]

Yeah, I have the plate config backward, sorry. However, if he's using the deep cycle for starting, the issue may still cause plate warpage.

Never heard of such a thing. Would be interested in seeing any tech articles that support the claim

Been using deep cycles to start and run my 200 hp outboard for years. Got 10 years off my last set of batteries.

 

[harmanoff]

I realized that the warranty was the issue since i got the replacement, and yea sucks but I bought a new battery from Farm and Home, I am in northeast missouri. I messed up lol i left the key on on my boat when i pulled it out (or someone when walking by my boat turned the key, proly one of my kids) I have a trickler charger solar panel i used all summer on my boat when not in use and it was fantastic! I got another deep cycle marine battery. I decided to skip the Lithuim one for now. I dont use a trollign motor. I just got a brand new Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv and i have interior lights and running lights. That is all, sometimes use the usb to charge my phone or blue tooth speaker. I am more curious for the lithum due to weight of the battery

 

[airshot]

DO NOT consider a lithium battery, while they are great and have their uses, if mis-used they can be a bomb. Never use the motors charging system to charge a lithium battery unless a professional sets up the system! Lithium batteries need special chargers and must be handled properly! Any mistakes can cause serious damage instantly.
Over the years, I have good sucess with Walley World batteries, getting warranty claims have never been an issue, in most cases they never check it, just swap it for a new one. Also had good sucess with Menards batteries, there to warranty claims were easy. Most marine/ motor home type batteries have a poor warranty because most folks do not maintain there batteries properly and the mfgr knows that. I keep up on my maintenence regularly and use a battery maintainer over winter storage and my batteries normally last much longer than average. I have a small wheel chair battery that I bought almost 7 years back, cost 38 bucks shipped to my door, I use it for my lawn sprayer and to run my electric trolling motor in my pond and other misc uses. Good as new today as was new, but has been taken care of !!