[csterner]

So I was doing my spring cleaning on the boat today and after all day working on it, my son said that the radio was fading in and out. I noticed the battery charger switch was off, so I turned it on. I was trying to reach some things stored in the side wall so I opened the engine hatch and was laying over the battery bank and started to smell something. I looked down at the batteries and one was starting to smoke and bubble. Needless to say, I flew out of the engine compartment and disconnected all power immediately. Thank goodness the battery didn't blow right under me!
So, I was going to replace them next year, but now that has all changed. So, what does everyone suggest? I am running a Guest 2 bank charger. I also have a battery isolator. I have read that I could mix battery types if I have an isolator. I am not sure if that is true or not though. Price is a concern since it wasn't budgeted for this year and I will be replacing all 3 batteries.

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[ColoradoDiablo]

Throw you in 3 "Never Start" , I mean "Ever Start" marine batteries from Wally World at 80.00 a pop , run em for the summer and put in some Odyssey "Extreme" marine batteries next spring. Just don't look at the bill when you get them , they ain't cheap.
However they are one of , if not the best battery out there right now.
They are routinely lasting up to 10 yrs in the marine enviorment.

Just my 2 cents Chris

[Motoxxx43]

I will second the idea of the Ever starts. I was looking into a few batteries and came to the conclusion that if my two 80$ batteries go out within a year I get new ones off of warranty. If not, oh well! It was 160$ spent on batteries and not +400 on expensive ones. The key is keeping them charged properly. I read a post on another site and some bass fisherman had 8 years on his everstarts!!
Keep in mind I try to buy the best possible stuff I can afford: I do not see the advantage of spending twice as much on high dollar batteries. If one dies Ill get to the marina. If they both die Ill have a buddy jump me. Im not floating out in the ocean or 20miles out in a lake....

[ColoradoDiablo]

That bass fisherman must live in mild climate conditions for sure.
I've never seen a Walmart battery last longer than 3 yrs. around here.
I have been running Optima Blue Tops for the last 5-6 yrs in my other boat and 5th wheel.
Really like the sealed idea , but then again your spending 200.00 for 1.
I think you would be fine running the Wally World batts for a year or two. They just seem not to hold up to vibration very well.
In my opinion "you get what you pay for"............but that's just my opinion. I hate being stuck in the middle of the lake for any reason.

[csterner]

So Wally World it is then. I also really like the idea of a sealed battery(especially after almost having one explode underneath me!) But $200 per battery and I am looking at 1 starting and 2 house batteries, adds up real quick. So I went out and bought 2 27's and 1 29 batteries today. They were $80 a piece. I couldn't wait any longer because my engine hatch is stuck open until I replace the batteries.(the downside to electric hatch lifts!)


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[Motoxxx43]

I agree with the "you get what you pay for". My dad runs those in his work trucks. They have a 3 year warranty. He bought one battery back around 2000-2001. He has not paid for a battery since. There is always a walmart around to exchange with. It sounds ridiculous, I know. I run the red top in my truck. But then again my truck has 1200 watts of stereo and a pair of Hella lights to run.
I do think the extreme weather is what kills the batteries around here. Super hot summer and super cold winter.

[Hudson River Steve]

Batteries two biggest enemies are heat and overcharging. Believe it or not...cold is not an issue, cold just reduces the capacity and cranking amperage they can deliver. Something must be up with your charger if all three batteries died at once. Sounds like they are being overcharged and a sealed battery can explode if overcharged. True marine batteries are made with thicker plates and spines to withstand the pounding of the marine environment...stay away from auto or RV batteries for this reason.

[csterner]

I think I might have given the wrong impression. Only one battery had an issue. I had on my master boat list to replace the batteries next year. But since one shorted out, I am going ahead and replacing all. I don't want to mix different batteries. And I totally agree that we need to get marine grade batteries.



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[Oregondunes]

Odyssey is the finest.

[ShabahZ280]

+3 on the WalMart marine batteries.... They have a 2 year warranty on them, and think about it, if you ever had to return it and you happened to be away from your home port, have you ever been some place there wasn't a wally world within 20 miles?

The only thing I dislike about the walmart batteries is they don't make one that's got a really high CCA rating... maybe someday! Gel & Closed Sealed batteries are great, if you've got the $$$. I ran an optima blue top in my rockcrawler, ran that over the roughest terrain, sideways, and even upside down once, and it never failed on me. But do you really need all of that in a boat?? They're protected from the elements inside the engine compartment, strapped down, and will spend 99.99% of their life in the same position.

Personally I'd buy the EverStart's, keep them charged and check the water levels every now and then, replace them in two years if you need to, and use the money you saved on the batteries for fuel and adult beverages.