So I am totally frustrated. I got 4 - 31-series Interstate brand batteries when we got our boat in 2019. I just had to replace one of them 0 warranty!! That's my fault for not checking .. just assumed it would be over a year like other high end deep cycles.
I am pretty sure my 3 tm batteries are on the way out as well!!! $800 cdn in batteries and they lasted less than 20 trips over a year in a bit!
When I first got them it was easy to go 2-3 days depending on weather, over this past week they were less than 1/2 charged by mid day! I had to charge these things every night..
So I'm looking for suggestions on a good quality battery I can get some life out of .. open to all suggestions!
I usually just rum the nautilus batteries. They definitely carry more than 1 year warranty but my batteries only last a couple years usually. I only have a 12v electric system that is hard on the battery for sure. I would think the ipilot would work the 24v batteries pretty hard. You may have to try an agm deep cycle battery, expensive but have heard good things about them
I may go the agm route, I looked a lithium they are stupid crazy expensive!
Similar issue here with my solar system. I have 6-6v gel pack batteries and they aren't holding the charge like they used to. They're 3 yrs old. No need to replace anything yet but in a couple of years, probably gonna have to. I've looked at Lithium batteries like the Tesla Powerwall but they are ridiculously expensive. I understand there's new tech coming out like super capacitors and other stuff. I'm in wait and see mode right now.
I don't know what brand of batteries I have in my boat but this is the third season for me.
Still going strong.
That's what I was expecting, I used to get 4-5 years out of TM batteries and they were just costco deep cycles... oy!
Quote from: RHYBAK on September 15, 2020, 08:30:39 AM
I don't know what brand of batteries I have in my boat but this is the third season for me.
Still going strong.
I have Interstates in my 24v TM and they are 4 years old. You guys have to make sure you're charging them properly.
I pull mine out every fall, place on rubber mats, top up levels etc....and trickle charge all winter long.
Watch...they'll crap out next summer Lol
Hey Greg
My solar power system is agm batteries. I have 20 265 amp 12 volt. They were installed in 2012 and came with a 10 year warranty. I am really impressed as they run the entire camp. So far have performed flawlessly. I do keep them charged to at least 60% either by sun or generator. Hope this helps.
I think I am.. I have a Guest 2740A Guest On-Board Battery Charger 10 amps per bank managed individually.
They are in a heated garage, plugged in once a month when not used.
Maybe I just got a bad batch.
Quote from: limacharley on September 15, 2020, 02:35:26 PM
I have Interstates in my 24v TM and they are 4 years old. You guys have to make sure you're charging them properly.
I pull mine out every fall, place on rubber mats, top up levels etc....and trickle charge all winter long.
Watch...they'll crap out next summer Lol
I think I am going agm this time for sure!
Quote from: wayne on September 15, 2020, 05:43:25 PM
Hey Greg
My solar power system is agm batteries. I have 20 265 amp 12 volt. They were installed in 2012 and came with a 10 year warranty. I am really impressed as they run the entire camp. So far have performed flawlessly. I do keep them charged to at least 60% either by sun or generator. Hope this helps.
Quote from: wayne on September 15, 2020, 05:43:25 PM
Hey Greg
My solar power system is agm batteries. I have 20 265 amp 12 volt. They were installed in 2012 and came with a 10 year warranty. I am really impressed as they run the entire camp. So far have performed flawlessly. I do keep them charged to at least 60% either by sun or generator. Hope this helps.
Wow those are some good batteries Wayne. 10 year warranty....!
Where did you get them?
They are Decca batteries, specifically designed for solar. I purchased them from the solar company in Toronto, power of the sun. They are no longer in business. Thanks for returning the gas.
I tested my 3 interstate 31 series at both Canadian Tire and Interstate in Woodbridge where I bought them both places say they are good.
Is is possible for a battery to test good but be "weak"?
On the May 24 weekend last year and our week trip in September. I could go almost 3 days before having to charge. We actually did the May 24 weekend without charging at all. This year they were showing 1/2 dead on my remote in about 4 hours of just spot locking and general light duty use.
Quote from: wayne on September 21, 2020, 07:10:52 AM
They are Decca batteries, specifically designed for solar. I purchased them from the solar company in Toronto, power of the sun. They are no longer in business. Thanks for returning the gas.
Thanks for the gas Wayne and the battery tips. Had a nice conversation with Barb while you were out. Face timing the grandkids is just not the same...is it?
Better to hug them. Good luck the rest of the season.
If you see my boat at camp, drop by for a beer. Love to show you and Barb what I've done to the place.
Very possible to have them test good, I find more on deep cycle than automotive batteries this will happen. To fail the test you almost have to have an internal issue to the battery for the testers to catch it. I know our testers at work for automotive they also test the state of health which is lots of time really low but still pass. I don't know if our work testers would work on deep cycle. But I do know i'll be charging up my batteries tonight because it is looking like a beautiful week to fish here.
I just spoke with Rocky's Tackle in Orillia. He's been super helpful with our Ulterra (issues have been user error!) until now.
He told me that he has had a lot of people come in with issues this year with bad brand new interstates!! I don't believe either place actually "Load" testing my deep cycles. I think they did the standard auto battery test.
I described my issues to Rocky's and he is pretty darn sure it's the same deal, weak/bad batteries. I can get a good deal on some MagnaCharge 31 series Deep Cycles, I'm going to go this route for now. Maybe by the time they die, lithium batteries will come down in price hehe! I sure would love to get a pair of 36volts for the same weight as 1 - 31 lead acid!
Quote from: Ozzy30 on September 21, 2020, 11:18:32 AM
Very possible to have them test good, I find more on deep cycle than automotive batteries this will happen. To fail the test you almost have to have an internal issue to the battery for the testers to catch it. I know our testers at work for automotive they also test the state of health which is lots of time really low but still pass. I don't know if our work testers would work on deep cycle. But I do know i'll be charging up my batteries tonight because it is looking like a beautiful week to fish here.
Hi Greg ,if it's the same batteries that Caps sell they are cheap and don't last.I bought one at Caps in Ottawa i had to return it after
11 months it was fry.....wally
I have these ones.
SRM-31 https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/srm-31?productLine=marine&subcategoryKey=&ignorecategoryid=true (https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/srm-31?productLine=marine&subcategoryKey=&ignorecategoryid=true)
I have also tried those big Optima blue tops. I read a lot of good about them but they didn't last either and were returned for a full refund THANK GOODNESS!
I got a good deal on 3 Magnacharge 31-205s I will use these until they are dead, hopefully they last!
Quote from: Chumy77 on September 21, 2020, 05:30:39 PM
Hi Greg ,if it's the same batteries that Caps sell they are cheap and don't last.I bought one at Caps in Ottawa i had to return it after
11 months it was fry.....wally
Got my new batteries installed last night. Even before charging they had great voltage.
Checked the following
1) Soldered crimps still solid no wiggling.
2) Connections all tight.
3) Fuses on charger leads all good
(https://vktnzw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4miivFyi6ffHY02xBrrCRoprKyjnCQSAfcnqG0Vrqn7COsemn85ukfyO6csx9ErfoBxqI1p8xTlYxEZVVIhubOY8_o5rcCpEZRskKBVuT00UOfczvmZ1yNVhtCwVGq-EIQo8HKFK4aXoofg3fO_jmfwIC7Y3hELdULiyASx2a7ZP6QF3gIjscS6BSJ1OuUsgf7jrdNsBnzpYnwHwCdxMqi7Q?width=1024&height=768&cropmode=none)
After charging I am reading 39.2, hopefully these guys last!
When we had the boat we just ran the Nautilus batteries from CT.
In the off season they came out of the boat and were put on the charger ever couple of weeks.
We also changed all the lighting on the boat to LED so if we were out anchored for a while the drain on the batteries was minimal....
Even still, these batteries only lasted maybe 2-3 years before they started getting weak.
The batteries at camp for the solar system (to run the camp) are Rolls Surrette, 10 year warranty (similar to the Dekas Wayne is running).
This was our third year running them and they are still run like day one, I will admit we beat them pretty hard.
My brother runs a bunch of the same for his camp, I'm sure the oldest ones are 6-7 years old and still in service.
But true deep cycle batteries much heavier built and are designed to handle a fair bit more in terms of discharge depths and discharge cycle capacity when compared to the cheaper deep cycle batteries sold at the box stores.
They do take some maintenance though, I add distilled water to them maybe every 6 months, check the Specific Gravity now and then and EQ charge them every few months.
@GregL I hope you have good luck with your new batteries!