Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

[MASTER Brian]

Let me start by saying I have two Everstart Maxx batteries and have been more than happy with them. One is 7ish years old another, is just over 7 years old and I have to replace it.

I went to Walmart today to buy another Everstart Maxx C29 battery, it was priced at $75, I paid for it, then thought to ask about warranty. Not really sure why, it just came into my head, kind of figured it was 24mo. The cashier said they no longer offered a warranty on these, it was sold as is. I called Gander Mountain, which is about 2miles from my house, and asked about their Interstate Batteries. I was given a bit of mis-information, as I thought I asked if they had a C29 and for it's price and was told it was $89 and had a 24mo warranty.

Needless to say, I got a refund on the Everstart and went to Gander and bought the Interstate, but instead of a C29, it was a C27 and it was $99, but had a 30mo warranty. I knew that before I paid, but didn't want to mess with it any longer as I have a fishing trip planned and wanted to get this in and charging...

So basically, I paid $25 more for a one series smaller battery, but got a 30mo pro rated warranty. Kind of curious what the rest of you would have done???

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

I would have purchased the "correct" battery for my boat, whatever I deemed that to be, while matching the size of my existing "good" battery. No compromises for me on something that can be life and death. You got into a bad situation, through no fault of your own. Since you've had such good luck with the Walmart batteries, I'd go back and get the battery you really want, warranty or no warranty. Use the Interstate battery for something else or return it when it's convenient for you.

 

[JB]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

I have had such good luck with Everstart batteries I would probably get another, warranty or not.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

might just be me but i have had nothing but crappy luck with walmarts everstarts....the first one i bought for my truck was returned 3 times before i got a good one, they just wouldnt take a charge. i was being cheap and tried them again in the boat....forgot the radio on and killed the battery :/ after that this one wouldnt take a full charge i now run interstate in my truck....more expensive but worth it so far... but like i said it could just be my bad luck.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

Well, I don't see a reason to necessarily take this one back. I need a battery for a fishing trip in two weeks and wanted to get it in the boat, hooked up to my charger and insure it's charged ready to go.

Yes, it is smaller than what I kind of wanted, but in the end, I doubt it makes much difference. Certainly not a "life or death" situation, unless I'm missing something. A full time fisherman I am not, in fact under 99% of the circumstances I doubt I'd run the troller batteries, when fully charged, out in a single day or weekend. The 1% in question is this week long fishing tournament I'm doing in the next few weeks, just because I was invited and sounded like an interesting experience.

I also am not sure how one battery is the "correct" battery for my boat. Can you please explain this?? Not trying to be difficult, just curious.

In any case, upon further thought, if I were to do it over again...not sure what I would do. If I wasn't leaving for a week of fishing with two days of a tournament, I might have gone with the Everstart with no warranty. I've had good luck so far, but it seems that the people that have issues tend to say they don't take a charge after running it down. I certainly didn't want to spend $80 on a battery to find that when I try to charge it for the first time it doesn't work...especially when I'm out of town fishing in a tournament. And then be told, sorry, we aren't standing behind it.... That just sucks and is crappy business in my opinion and that is how the manager of the store explained it.

I have looked online and it seems that they stopped offering the warranties early 2009, but some people online say their walmarts still give them a warranty....so what gives I wonder!?

Thanks for the replies, they are interesting...

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

The problem with my original response is that it omits any mention of the circumstances under which the batteries are to be used. Referring to "life and death" would be overly dramatic for a pontoon boat on a small lake, but not a stretch for offshore guys who are pushing the limits, with perhaps just their batteries and an EPIRB to ensure their survival.

By referring to the "correct" battery for your boat, I simply meant the style and size that suits your needs and which you've been satisfied with in the past. I just felt that you settled for a lesser battery capacity than you really wanted because someone gave you some bum information. I can't afford to do that. I won't do that. My answer was very specific as to what I would have done, not necessarily what I think you should have done, because I didn't have enough information about your boating situation.

Not coincidentally, and the reason your post got my attention, is that I'm running a couple of Interstates in one of my systems, and an Everstart in another, so I'll be confronted with the same dilemma soon enough. I hope you win the fishing tournament. The fish won't know which battery you've got.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

Pez Vela,
Thanks for clearing that up.

Yes, I did somewhat settle for a little smaller battery than I kind of wanted, but to be perfectly honest, I'm not certain I really need the bigger one. I just like to error on the side of caution. Currently, I am now running two 27 series batteries, instead of one 27 & one 29, so they are currently better matched to each other.

I would be curious if anyone has a good general rule of thumb on how much longer a comparable 29 series battery will run a troller vs a 27.

For me it came down to a bit of mis-information and a somewhat paniced/unsure situation. At this point it just wasn't worth that much more hassle. Like I said if timing was different, I would have came home started the thread and possibly went with the Everstart. It does irk me a bit that they dropped the warranty, but not the price!!

 

[ELECTROSHOCKRHINO]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

I know Im new to the site, but I have done plenty with boats. I have had every battery under the sun almost. Go to Sams and get an Optima. I WILL OWN NOTHING LESS ANYMORE. You get what you pay.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

I know Im new to the site, but I have done plenty with boats. I have had every battery under the sun almost. Go to Sams and get an Optima. I WILL OWN NOTHING LESS ANYMORE. You get what you pay.

i have had a few mechanics and hot rod builders tell me not to bother with the "six packs" something about they dont take the colder climate very well.. but in the same breath, they said its the best performing battery they had as long as you keep them inside and warm.. i dont know i havnt tried em yet.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

Ya, it's sad. Don't blame Walmart. Blame the people who buy a battery, run it down to flat trolling and then not charging it back up for many days leaving it in a discharged state. Eventually the plates short out and then they would bring it back to Walmart and say their battery is bad. For years any Walmart would ask no questions and just give them a new one.

I recently picked up a Walmart Everstart dual purpose for $68 and the register person said be sure to save your receipt for the warranty. But I think she was wrong as I know they did away with any warranty. I would think if the warranty is not printed on your receipt, there is no warranty.

In an older thread I posted this: I read on another site that it seems Walmart's Everstart brand batteries are made by Johnson Controls who are the same people who make Optima, Die Hard, Interstate, and a host of other name brand batteries.

When I was at the Interstate dealer he showed me his back room. There were many pallets of Optima batteries there.

Just my opinion (and not to start an Optima flame war), but I "personally" can't see paying 3 times more for an Optima just because it's encased in pretty blue, yellow and red colored tubes but made by the same company who makes Interstate's and Everstarts. If you take care of batteries you will probably get 5 years plus out of them. For what it cost for the over priced Optima's you could get 15 plus years from 3 Everstarts for a similar cash outlay.

I don't see any quality battery manufacturer of deep cycle batteries giving any warranties in the near future. If they do, you will be paying for that warranty yourself in the form of a higher price.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

As for going with Optima's, I can't at this time run them as I have an onboard charger and thus would need all three batteries to be the same type of battery and I'm not spending $600-$900 on batteries at this point. I have the lead acid batteries, so that's what I have to stick with.....

As for the Optima's being just "packaged" differently...they are actually a different type of battery. There are 3 types Led Acid, AGM HP and GEL. I could be wrong, but the optimas are AGM batteries. I don't doubt one bit that they are almost all made by the same place...and yes Johnson Controls makes the Everstarts, at least as of last I heard. I think that might change on occassion.

With that said, I tend to agree with the logic that one could buy 2-4 lead acid batteries for the price of one of the AGM or GEL type batteries and I also believe that with proper maintenance one would be money ahead just buying the lead acid batteries. I got 7 yrs out of the battery I just replaced and another one still good and in my boat. So if that duplicates with the 2nd go around, that's about 14-15yrs out of 2 lead acid batteries for about $50-$100+ less than the cost of 1 AGM or GEL type of battery. I don't care how good those type of batteries are, I don't see them lasting 15-21 years...

I will also say, I fully understand why some people go with those batteries. I don't doubt in extreme conditions they are better and when the battery is absolutely critical equipment or if the battery might become inverted, they are probably worth the extra cost. i.e. competitive tournament fishing, offroad use, race use, etc... For the everyday Joe probably no noticable difference.

Now back on topic, based upon online searches it looks like Everstart is weighing the option of bringing back the warranty, some stores appear to honor the warranty still. My guess is this is probably a "test" ground to see what results/feedback they receive from the public on not offering the warranties on these types of batteries. If successful and the public doesn't seem affected, yes other lines will probably follow suit, if not them maybe prices will be forced to go up all accross the board. But for Everstart prices to go up, I believe Interstate prices would have to go up as well. I was just a bit peeved it wasn't made more clear that these batteries didn't offer a warranty, when they sit amongst a host of batteries with warranties. Kind of felt a bit like bate and switch to me. I wonder how many people buy these and DON'T realize they DON'T come with a warranty??

 

[Expidia]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

I was just a bit peeved it wasn't made more clear that these batteries didn't offer a warranty, when they sit amongst a host of batteries with warranties. Kind of felt a bit like bate and switch to me. I wonder how many people buy these and DON'T realize they DON'T come with a warranty??

Ummm, That'd be me too. That's exactly what happened to me last month. I bought the Everstart based on the Wally warranty and only found out later that day when I was reading threads here that they no longer warranty them Worse yet the clerk tells me to be sure to hold on to the receipt. I clipped it to my trailer reg so I'll have it handy in case i'm out of town and I have to try and get a replacement.

No biggy to me because even though Wally may not warranty it, the manufacturer probably would if you complained to them after a battery shorted out or wouldn't hold a charge prematurely.

My Daughter bought two deep cycle Minn Kota's when she bought her Minn Kota troller at ****'s and when they wouldn't hold a charge a year later ****'s said to go to the manufacturer which was Interstate. She went down there and they ordered two brand new one's for her at no charge. He said they did have a run of defective batteries. But it was more likely they did not want to upset their relationship with any of ****'s customers.

 

[skargo]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

I have had such good luck with Everstart batteries I would probably get another, warranty or not.

x2, I have them in 3 vehicles, a tractor, and my boat. Never had an issue with one yet *knocks on head*

 

[skargo]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

I know Im new to the site, but I have done plenty with boats. I have had every battery under the sun almost. Go to Sams and get an Optima. I WILL OWN NOTHING LESS ANYMORE. You get what you pay.

I paid for three(guess I'm a sucker) and they all failed quickly. 2 Yellows and one red. No thanks, I'll take my evertarts maxx's that last longer, and cost a fraction of the cost.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

I had a Everstart Maxx in my shopping cart and asked about the warranty, to which the lady said there is no warranty,,, it went back on the shelf. I went over to Sams Club next door and got the same sized battery for the same price with a warranty, something like 12 months free replacement and 36 months pro-rated. Even though I've had good luck with WalMart batteries, I wasn't going to buy something without a warranty, when there are other alternatives.

I don't know if I would have bought a G27 battery when I was looking for a G29 battery, I need to higher capacity battery for trolling.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

What battery does sams carry? I'm actually planning on stopping by there later today to pick something up, so I'll try to remember to look, but just curious in case I forget.

I wasn't thrilled about going a size down, but I was tired of running around and figure that worst case, I'll move that battery to my crank battery position at a later date if it prooves to be too small. Someone, said my 150hp outboard doesn't necessarily require a crank battery to start it....

I also agree, I could probably get the wally one replaced if I bitched enough, but who really wants to hassle with that.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

Ok, checked at Sams and they carry Eveready Marine Batteries. I believe they were 1yr exchange 3yr pro-rated, might be off on that, but they had a warranty. Price was about $75-$79 for the C29 series.

Are these any good???

 

[Expidia]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

Probably made by Johnson controls like most of the others. Ask them who makes their batteries.

I think Walmart's policy is going to back fire on them shortly when they see their battery sales tank. They know when someone comes into the store to buy a battery they also come back for other things. Sam's club sells food too. Don't think they want to steer customers who spend 200-300 a week on food to Sam's because they pulled their battery warranties.

 

[MASTERBrian]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

Ok, I'm back to this once again as it's that time of the year. My username has changed since for some reason, I can't get any known password to work and they system won't email me a reset, so I had to create a new account.

I ended up keeping the C27 Interstate battery last year, but now my 2nd troller battery is bad so it needs replaced. Is there any harm in buying a C29 battery and running it with the C27? I can operate at 12v or 24v and it's switchable at the controls of the troller....if it makes any difference. I'm guessing I just won't get full benefit of the longer run life of a C29, in doing this. My thought is maybe when my crank battery goes, I'll just move the C27 into that position and run two C29's....

Basically, trying to decide if I just buy another Interstate C27 and basically have identical matching batteries or look again at finding a C29, since it was originally what I was trying to find. To be honest, the C27 batteries run life is probably plenty for my needs, I just look at the next size up as a bit of insurance, if that makes since.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Everstarts Maxx or Interstate

Probably should have started another thread Brian but since you didn't, have you checked with Walmart since your last event? I have changed two everstarts in the last year with Walmart and they honored the warranties in both cases, which is why I posted here? seems weird to me that so many have had an issue with wally world and I have not....