How do you know when it is time to replace your batteries?

[pwrfshn]

I know many of you will take the opportunity to give me the "When your stuff doesn't work!", :P but I think it may be time for my batteries to get the boot.

Had some problems with my charger a while back and replaced it. I have 3 Exide Group 27 Deep Cycle batteries that were new in June and have been cycled(drained and charged) probably 150 times (maybe more). When I was without my on-board charger, I used a manual charger and was careful not to charge them too much, or at least I tried not too. When I had the batteries out of the storage compartment(while my charger was down) I took the tops off and filled them up. Found out later that you only need to cover the plates, but I filled them UP with distilled water. They did leak a little, but not too bad. (Still wondering why I have holes in my jeans and shirt form that day ;) )

At this point I am wondering if I ruined them, if something happened when the charger failed, or if they are just bad batteries. Before I spend money on three new batteries, I was hoping to get some insight. (Any battery suggestions are welcome as well, considering Optima Gel Cells)

An example of why I think they are not holding a charge is that my accessories battery will hold a charge for 8 - 9 hours with 2 sonars, a GPS, and a livewell run at auto intervals. My 24 volt Autopilot will work for about 6 hours and then start to freak out because of low voltage. Used to run two days on a full charge.

Thanks in advance,

Brian

[perchjerker]

Probably the best least expensive was to check your batteries is with a battery hydrometer. Check them after you have charged them up. You may have a dead cell or the plated may be sulfating.

I have a load tester that lets you dial in a specific load and reads the voltage, but those meters arent too cheap.

Also check all your connections to make sure you dont have a voltage drop somewhere.

[pwrfshn]

PJ,

I'll try to get what you refer to done. As you can tell I am trying to work on my own stuff (without knowing what the heck I am doing). I would rather screw it up than have someone I don't know screw it up.

I rewired one of my deep cycles to the back for my accessories and left the other two up front for the trolling motor.

Thanks for the advice,

[perchjerker]

Thats how you learn bud.

A battery hydrometer is a good inexpensive investment. Just remember they wont do you any good on a sealed battery. You could also take the batteries to a service station and have them tested.

[pwrfshn]

I have had the batteries charging since Sunday night on the Guest charger. If I pull them tonight and take them in tomorrow, will that work or does there need to be some kind of time window?

Thanks,

[perchjerker]

No, that should be fine. Just explain to the person who is testing them what you did.

[Brad]

I always replace my batteries after they've seen three seasons. On my Erie boat, I have dual starting batteries, and I stagered the replacement cycle so that I never have a battery more than a year or two old. While I have them, I make sure I maintain them properly by keeping the water topped off (using only distilled water), keeping a good charge on them, and keeping the terminals clean. Never assume the water level is good on a battery you just bought.

[Smitty]

I'll probably get flamed for this one (it's my experience and opinion only), but I'd have replaced them as soon as I read "Exide" on the batteries. I've had great luck with them in cars, but I've not had a single one (between myself and family members) in the marine/deep cycle class that has lasted for any period of time. For an inexpensive marine battery (runs about $70-80), I've had great luck with the Delco Voyagers. I've got one now that's about 5 years old and still kickin' and my previous boat has one about 7 years old that is still working. The Exide that came with my 2001 boat won't hold a charge anywhere near what the old Voyager will.
With this kind of luck, I haven't been able to bring myself to spend the extra $ to check out the gel cells, etc.

[pwrfshn]

Smitty,

You are not the first person to tell me the Exides are no good, I was hoping some more people would give me some feedback on their experience with EXIDE. The only info I have gotten on the batteries is to use them to hold down the floor in my garage or make jigs out of them.

Anyone have any good experiences with Exide?

Thanks for the input,

[perchjerker]

Just FYI, there are only a few makers of these batteries. Exide and Delco are the largest. Many, many private name batteries are made by Exide.

[FJH1]

Brain,

Like I've said in the past I've always had really great luck with the Delco Voyager batteries. From what I remember I don't think you had a source for the Voyager in ABQ? I have an Exide on the boat at the cottage (I didn't have a source for Voyager's in Minocqua). It's been working fine, but then again, it doesn't get the workout up there that you're putting yours through.

Best Regards,

Jamie

[pwrfshn]

Probably going to go back to Delco's if I don't get the Optima Gels. I found the wholeslaer here for Delco and he sells them to me at a great price.

Thanks,

[Atomic Eye]

Brian,

You might consider doing a WC search on Trojan batteries. I think there was a good thread on them about 9 months ago or so. I've got some Trojans, and like them so far.

Batteries can only be recharged a certain number of times - I think the October 2002 Consumer Reports issue gave a figure of merit for car batteries?

I'm a chemist, and know this - if you have a battery that is rated for 36 months life, it will last that plus maybe a few months more. This past weekend, I replaced my car's 86 month old Sears Diehard (with an 84 month warranty) because it started to fail to hold a charge. They've got the chemistry of batteries down pretty well. They've gotten enough data from millions and millions of us consumers!

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[pwrfshn]

Well, last night was interesting. We have a Batteries Plus in Albuquerque so I started there. Took all four of my batteries out of the boat (Exide Nautilus Gold 27 (24 cranking)) and had them tested. At B+ they hooked them up to their machine (stand alone cart about as big as a large tackle box) and it said 3 of 4 were good. It took about 25 seconds of time for each batterey, maybe less. They were not an Exide dealer so I went to Checker Auto Parts who was. They again, tested the bad battery and told me it was good. I brought in my other batteries just to be sure it wasn't me. All of them tested fine. The CAP tester is about the size of a shoe box and takes less than 6 seconds to test a battery. They sold me some terminal cleaner and sent me on my way.

On my way home I decided to stop by my friends garage (not having thought he would have a tester) and tell him what happened. After they were done with the usual "What were you thnking?" they hooked up all my batteries to what looked like an EKG machine and tested the charge and load on each battery. The cranking battery was the only one close to being ok. All my NG 27 batteries dropped to 8 volts under even a light load.

Lesson learned - make sure when you test your batteries it is done by a proper technician and also with good equipment.

My Optima Blue Tops will be here today.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

[Northman]

I have always had bad luck with Exide batteries. The only reason I stay with them is that we sell them at my place of employment ( a 15% discount). I just bring them back every year as defective and get a new pair.
I bought a group 27 deep cycle battery from Wally World 3 years ago for a trolling motor on a smaller boat I have. It was recommend by several guys on WC. It really seems to hold a charge well. I don't recall the name of it. I believe Walmarts batteries are made by Interstate. Maybe someone knows the name of that Walmart battery.
Northman

[Badger 05]

I put Optimas in my boat this summerwhen my conventional batts had worn out. I just sold the boat and the batteries went with it. Good Riddins. They didn't last nearly as long as my old conventional batts did on a full charge. Additionally, my trolling motors seemed to have lost some power after I installed the Optimas. It was as if they were always running at 75% when I had the motor set on high. It drove me crazy, I replaced all connnections with screw on splices with anti corrosion gel and heat shrink over the connection. I also replaced the trolling motor receptacles with anti-corrosion ones. All my wiring is 6ga and I have ohm tested all connections. I have not load tested the batteries but I have used my digital voltage meter and they read 12.8volts after a full charge. The Optimas still worked like crap. I am opting for the Evertrolls for my next boat. Two batts will only cost about $100 more than the Optimas when you consider that the Evertrolls come with an on-board charger. Beware of Gel cell.

Fishing is: One jerk waiting for another jerk at the end of his line.

[pwrfshn]

Badger 05,

What Optima did you have? What OnBoard charger did you use?

Blue
Yellow
Red

Thanks,

[Badger 05]

I edited my post while you were replying (bad grammar). I had them on a guest three bank charger (same charger that kept my old batts in great shape for three years) My Optimas were bluetops. I think there may be two different models and I am not sure which mine were. They cost me $189 each.

Fishing is: One jerk waiting for another jerk at the end of his line.

[pwrfshn]

I hope I didn't just make a worse choice.

My four Optima Blue Tops are here today. The only good thing is that the shop that sold them to me is a good friend and fishes frequently out of my boat. He will be even more frustrated (not more, but close) if they behave like yours did. He has been raving about them, but said they definitely need to be cared for.

I have the new Guest 4 bank 10 10 10 5 and should be in good shape.

Thanks,

[brian1785]

Brian,
I use the Trojans for the last 2 boats and I love them. I really use them a lot and they hold the charge very well. Just my two cents.
Brian, IL

[pwrfshn]

Brian,

Thanks for the advice, but with $750 worth of batteries sititng on the floor, I hope I don't need to try the Trojan's anytime soon.

From the other stuff I read, the Trojan's seem pretty tough to beat.

How was BDN this fall? Any Hawgs?

I saw you were going to be south this year, anywhere close to NM?
Owe you a trip for some fish! :)

Thanks,

[Badger 05]

I kept mine plugged in 24/7 and my boat was parked inside my pole shed at all times, so I think I cared for them properly. That is something I thought about though. I didn't know if they needed a special charger (different than plate batts) in the end I decided it wasn't worth the effort as I knew I was selling the boat this winter and those Optimas could be somebody elses problem. I hope that mine were just lemons and you have a good experience with them. The benefits of that type of battery are great. They even say you can mount them on their side and not have any problems.

Good Luck with the bluetops.

P.S. I suppose you are still catching fish in open water down there in that sunny paradise. Lucky #####.

Fishing is: One jerk waiting for another jerk at the end of his line.

[pwrfshn]

Yep,

All open water south of Santa Fe.

We have been targeting the Striper at the Butte and it has been a blast. Same presentation as Walleye, just heavier tackle.

10# Silver Thread was no match for 15 - 18 Striper if you aren't super with the drag.

Last weekend I almost had to put shorts on. lol ;)

Headed home to mount those things.

Thanks,

[prd1]

The only way I have found which seems adequate and consistent is with a load tester. The one I got is a Century which is nothing much more that some resistive coils which have a meter across them so shows the battery performance under load. Works like a champ, will tell you if you have a weak battery under load and costs about $40 at Northern Equipment or Fleet Farm. The hydrometer works fine but does not show you anyghing about the batteries load carrying ability.

Don't use it often but would not be with out it.

Paul

[optimaryan]

Badger 05 and mexicoNM,
I work with Optima batteries...handle pro staff and all PR, working with their ad agency. I'd really like to talk to both of you about your experiences with Optimas. Please email me and hopefully I can help.

It sounds to me as if Badger 05 ran into some bad batteries or had some other issue - perhaps overcharging or undersized batteries. The batteries should outperform traditional flat plate batteries under about any circumstances. The Spiralcell technology in an Optima allows for the following advantages (among others) over other lead acid marine batteries:

- 15+ times the vibration resistance (we've tested the batteries in a paint shaker). It's a little known fact that heat and vibration are the two biggest causes of battery failure.
- 2X the cycle life. If your flat plate battery typically lasts you one year, an Optima should last two...ie. twice as many cycles.
- Recharges up to twice as fast as a traditional battery.
- They're spillproof...they don't leak and can be mounted in any position. Plus, they're maintenance free and have a very slow rate of discharge, meaning you don't have to put a trickle charge on it over the winter - although we still recommend it.
Anyway, I'm not selling. Just trying to share some of the benefits of an advanced technology. If you want to discuss, please feel free to email me at ryanc@stirmarketing.com.
Good fishing boys.

[pwrfshn]

Ryan,

I'll email you on Monday after my first trip with them.

Wish I would have seen the 24 dual before I ordered 2 sep batts for my TM.

From everything I have read, I should get a lot of heavy duty use out of them.

Thanks for the contact info.

Brian Stangel