AGM VS GEL Battery

[itsahog]

I have an ultrex 24V trolling motor. I can tell the deep cycle batteries are starting to get weak, I’m guessing there are 3-4 years old. they were in my first used boat, I put them in my new boat when I bought it. I’m just wondering what is the best to replace them with. I don’t know much about batteries, but I keep hearing about AGM and Gel batteries. What would be the recommended batteries for my 24V system? Also, is there a way to test my current batteries, or do they test either good or bad, or can you tell if they’re going bad and or weak?

[Flashpoint]

Post this under the thread "Electrical, Wiring, Trolling Motors". Username "CatFan" is one of the experts it seems on batteries. He has helped me a couple of times and I'm sure he'll chime in. For what it's worth, I'm no expert when it comes to batteries, but I went from wet cells to AGM and I can't say enough good things about them. I put a size 31 Sam's Club Duracell AGM for my cranking and (2) size 27 Sam's club Duracell AGM's for my trolling. For the price, I don't think you can beat it. What little time I have to go out on the water, they have been awesome and if you do a search on these on the Forum I'm sure you'll see that alot of guys are using these. My setup is Skeeter ZX-190 with Lowrance 3d structure, HDS 12 and HDS 9 and 80 lb. Ultrex. I can't speak to testing batteries, but like I said, the other forum would be more assistance to you.

[mactlman]

testing deep cycles is a guessing game at best. they will test good but run out of juice quickly on the lake under load. i get 5-6 yrs out of mine. did you check the water level? this keeps them alive more than anything but a good charge

[Fulch27]

AGM are well worth the money, as long as you keep them properly charged they'll last forever.

[granite]

AGM are well worth the money, as long as you keep them properly charged they'll last forever.

I've always been a flooded wet cell guy. How long, approximately, is "forever"?

[illinifish]

I've always been a flooded wet cell guy. How long, approximately, is "forever"?

I just replaced my set of agms that were installed in 2011. They still worked well but I thought it was time.
Recharge quickly after use is a plus on longevity.

[catdude28]

Depends on what you want to spend, and how meticulous you are about caring for batteries. Your Triton likely has the DP charger in it, so you will be fine with either AGM or wet cells. Nobody here uses gel in a bass boat. If you want wet cells, the Walmart 31 Everstart Max are still the best buy around at 100 dollars each. They are relabelled JCI batteries, the same as Interstate. You can also get them at AutoZone. If you want to spend more money and are not so inclined to check water levels and give wet cells more attention, then AGM is the answer. The best value is the 31 Duracell AGM at Sam's for 179 which is a relabelled Deka. The same battery is also available at Batteries Plus, and O'Reilly's, but more expensive there.

[itsahog]

Can the Sam’s Club 31 or 27 be use for trolling, or is one dedicated cranking?

[krindgen]

Can the Sam’s Club 31 or 27 be use for trolling, or is one dedicated cranking?

Absolutely.

[itsahog]

Absolutely.

pardon my ignorance, but I am very novis on this. I guess I would be correct in assuming that the 31 would be the better of the two for a 24 V Ultrex? I’m guessing it provides a little more power and time?

[Flashpoint]

With ur setup I think you'd be fine with the 27 series for trolling. That is what I have.

[n2ratfishin]

I put two group 31 Duracell AGM's in my boat a couple years ago, the only battery I've ever had still running strong after two years. I liked them so much I added a group 27 for my starting battery.

[jigman51]

The 60 amp hour lithium batteries are starting to get within reason. From a thread earlier this week, I saved this link. You would need 2 60AH batteries and they are $359 each. There was a member on here who said he could save you some money on that, can't remember his name at the moment.
https://ampedoutdoors.com/collections/boat-batteies

[catdude28]

pardon my ignorance, but I am very novis on this. I guess I would be correct in assuming that the 31 would be the better of the two for a 24 V Ultrex? I’m guessing it provides a little more power and time?

The 31’s will not give you more power, but can give you more run time each outing, and, seeing as you will be discharging them to a lesser degree than 27’s, they will have a longer life

[Whitaker201]

The 60 amp hour lithium batteries are starting to get within reason. From a thread earlier this week, I saved this link. You would need 2 60AH batteries and they are $359 each. There was a member on here who said he could save you some money on that, can't remember his name at the moment.
https://ampedoutdoors.com/collections/boat-batteies

That member is Hookerz Tackle
I just got mine in the mail today.

[mactlman]

Can the Sam’s Club 31 or 27 be use for trolling, or is one dedicated cranking?

must be a "deep cycle" for TM

[mactlman]

That member is Hookerz Tackle
I just got mine in the mail today.

mine will be ordered soon also!!!!! let me know how your do and what you do to hold them in place!

[mactlman]

The 60 amp hour lithium batteries are starting to get within reason. From a thread earlier this week, I saved this link. You would need 2 60AH batteries and they are $359 each. There was a member on here who said he could save you some money on that, can't remember his name at the moment.
https://ampedoutdoors.com/collections/boat-batteies

cranking batteries just came in stock also

[itsahog]

As I mentioned earlier I’m not exactly sure how old my current batteries are, I’m sure there’s probably stickers on them, they are interstate type batteries. Right now I can get about three or four hours out of them before I can notice a pretty significant difference. On my remote control for my Ultrex it will show the battery basically out - but after it sits for a while it would show it about 1/3 good again, I don’t quite understand it but I want to make sure I’m not making the move too soon. If I’m bass fishing and only using up to number or two or three power they last quite a while but if I’m trolling and I have them on six or seven if I get 3 1/2 to 4 hours I’m lucky, so they’re not all the way bad but I’m expecting I could do better with new batteries, where am I expecting too much out of what I have? I’m just curious how long they should last operating at three-quarter power on my Ultex?

[digthemup]

Hog,
If you are running at 70% of your TM power and getting 4 hrs, I don't believe to be a bad deal for 4yrs series 27 Interstates DC, which have 140-220 min RC.
If you want to test them, make sure you have the proper water level, otherwise, use only distilled water to bring it up to correct level. Completely charge the batteries before testing with a load tester to check their load holding capacity after full load for 10 sec. cycle.
I had a TM batt that read 12.3V, but would crap out under load. I use series 27 DC Interstates that are 2 yrs old, and I get about 200 min at 3/4 speed on 24V MG digital.

Interstate series 27 DC will cost you about 125.00 or 250.00 for a pair, which is still 100.00 cheaper than 1 lithium battery (359) without needing to change your entire set up for charging or keeping them in place.