I would choose Walmart or Costco and not pay that high price for a battery that is no better.
Charge any battery at the end of the day and
once a month when idel in the summer heat and every 2 months in the winter.
They will last at least 6 years.
I think both Walmart and Costo have a 3 year free replacement and 100 month prorated warranty.
I would choose Walmart or Costco and not pay that high price for a battery that is no better. Charge any battery at the end of the day and once a month when idel in the summer heat and every 2 months in the winter. They will last at least 6 years. I think both Walmart and Costo have a 3 year free replacement and 100 month prorated wattanty.
The Optima is on my Nitro (about to sell). The Interstate is on my Skeeter (just bought). I went through 3 Wal-Mart batteries in 16 months and one low-end from O'Rielly auto parts.
there are actually only a few battery manufacturers, the batteries are all made in the same plants. they just apply different labels, we have a distributor here, that i buy from, they actually put the labels on the batteries, right there in the warehouse. off the same pallet, as they load them on to the delivery truck.
I like the Optimas. They meet the requirements for the DFI engines and seem to last about 3 years in Florida. I've also seen a few fail within a few months. But, I use Interstates myself. They last the same amount of time and in the correct size they work just as well....But, they cost less and with the same bang for less bucks they get my vote.
Most batteries are made by "Everlast" no matter the name, same battery.
The gel cells don't have the same capacity as the wet cells do. Gel cell batteries will take shock loads and high vibration better than a wet cell.
I use the wet cell batteries from Walmart or Sams club and I usually get 5-6yrs out of them.
The problem most guys have with batteries is they don't use the right charger and either overcharge the batteries or fail to keep them topped off with a float type charger. A buddy of mine goes through batteries every couple of years and still uses a trickle charger.... even after I've told him for years to get a float charger or one of the "smart chargers".... even better.
Mounting a wet cell in the bow of your boat is asking for early failure as they take much more of a shock load up there.
I just tossed my old interstate last summer.I had it for 9 years. I got it with my first Boat, and i replaced it cause i got a great deal on a new one.........just take care of it and it will last the life of the boat(almost)
Most batteries do not die, they are killed by the user.
Starting batteries should not be discharged below 80 percent and
deep cycles should not be discharged below 50 percent.
If you discharge farther then the battery life will sufer.
Also the longer the battery is left discharged the more damage is done. Fully charge ASAP.
Alls lead acid batteries self discharge.
They self discharge faster in hot temperatures and slower in cold temperatures.
So must be recharged weather used or not.
Once a month in summer and every 2 month in winter and you will be good.
What he said, as with anything, the better you take care of it the better it will take care of you.
I wouldn't buy the cheapest battery or the most expensive, shoot for the middle and take care of it and spend the left over money on something else for the boat.
I'm going on 3 years with my walmart battery. Its in perfect shape. Its funny how the walmart batteries I have are made by the same people who make the optima. Johnson Controls. Says it right on the labels. I keep my water filled perfectly and keep the termials clean also. I just tried to charge it since its been sitting since oct and it didnt want one . Read to 100% in 1 minute.
The Optima is on my Nitro (about to sell). The Interstate is on my Skeeter (just bought). I went through 3 Wal-Mart batteries in 16 months and one low-end from O'Rielly auto parts.
