[Rattletrap2]

My two group 31 deep cycles are at the end of their life cycle. These were Nitrocell batteries and lasted a good 6 years. Seems I can't find them anymore, so what do you folks like out there?

[bowslayer]

well if you can find them Delco Voyager. Mine died last year after 10 years. I could not find them so I bought one from BPS and it seems to be okay. If you do find a Delco Voyager let me nkow who carries them,best deep cycle I have had.

[Victor]

Do up a search here on OFN, i was deciding which one to buy not too long ago neither ... lots of great responses. I don't remember who started the thread though

[Billy Bob]

I'll second the Delco Voyager battery. I have one now for about 8 years as my starting / powering everything else but the trolling motor. Every year I think I will have to replace it but it still lives on without any sign of failing. These batteries are maintenance free and I think that really makes a difference with a on-board charger that is ALWAYS on.

Bob

[Victor]

Found the thread ... here ya go
http://www.ofncommun...ing+motor+mount

[Rattletrap2]

Thanks Victor! I never have much success searching the threads!

The two I have lasted very well, and I think I just found them again, but the price is up to $180.00 each which hurts a bit. These Nitrocell batteries are made by East Penn battery.

I don't think CTC and Walmart carry a group 31 size in their batteries? The group 31's also weigh a ton!

Any more info, please keep it coming!

[doubleheader]

Interstate group 27 for me.

[jjcanoe]

Crown Battery makes decent ones. I have a 6 year old one and it still holds it's charge like the day I got it. Crown Battery is in Woodbridge ( the one I go to ). It faces Hwy 7 west of the 400 but the entrance is off of Trowers Rd.

jjcanoe

[Roy]

Brian, I saw grp 31 Energizer deep cycle batteries in Walmart last week. I don't know what they're like. My grp 31 batt is a Trans Canada battery. I just upgraded to a 24 volt bowmount and couldn't fit 2 group 31's in the hatch so I bought two GRP 27's.

[GlennK]

I just got a Kirkland (COSCO) for my 55 lbs trolling motor. I was price contious, and also heard good things about it. Time will tell if I made the right choice......

[workwear]

i too bought two batteries from kirkland......they had a manufacturer rebate and i also had a store gift certificate...paid 45 dollars each for their bigger batteries...i have tested them out so far and 9 hours on my trolling motor...now too see if they last or not.........but for crankin battery im not gonna full around...im goin to get a gel battery......

[Billy Bob]

workwear, on Jun 13 2008, 07:57 PM, said:

ibut for crankin battery im not gonna full around...im goin to get a gel battery......

The crankin battery is the one you will have the least amount of problems with. Save you money on a gel battery for EXPENSIVE gasoline, you don't need a gel for starting battery (they are overrated and overpriced).

[Gerritt]

please forgive my ignorance... But what does all this Group stuff mean? I look at a battery I see a battery... I am not sure what this grouping means....

once again.. to all those reading... I do not know EVERYTHING.... LOL

G

[glen]

I wish they made lighter batteries.

[Billy Bob]

Group 24 is the standard size battery and the smallest. The larger the group number the longer the battery is with I believe Group 31 being the largest in length and weight. The larger the battery the larger the plates meaning more cranking amps and more reserve power. Only thing is your battery compartment might not allow a lager group battery to fit.

[Randy from Sturgeon]

EH!


I sell batteries every day...there are 3 types of marine batteries. [ excluding gel celled]

#1.. Marine Cranking..available in sizes 24 / 27 / 31
intended to start a larger inboard or outboard ... not designed for running electronics for extended
periods of time.. these batteries have a fast discharge.. these batteries are essentially car batteries

#2 Marine Deep Cycle ...Designed for a sustained amperage draw ie: electronics, bilge pumps,
aerators , trolling motors, navigation lights and such ... these batteries barely have cranking amps
and not intended for starting purposes. 24 / 27 / 31


#3 Marine Dual Purpose ... in this case the best of both worlds for the average consumer..
These batteries will run your electronics all day and will start your outboard at the end of the day.
the battery is designed with a reserve discharge and has cranking amps unlike the Deep Cycle...
24/27/31
these are the cheaper of all 3... I sell a Stowaway # ST27DP625 for 79.95 Everyday..made by
Exide..

I also sell the Voyageur for 109.99..Made by Interstate..

I have as much warranty replacement batteries from Delco than I do Exide...
alot [most] of these replacements are due to poor battery maintenance...poor winter storage is the #1 cause.

Hope this helps.


Randy

[Gerritt]

ok ... Size and the mount of plates...

But what do the numbers actually mean? Pounds? Count of Plates? unknown?

G

[Randy from Sturgeon]

the numbers on the battery are the indicator of group size..warranty amps and so on.. here goes


Pick-Up Truck battery...part # 65-72.... fits most ford trucks ...#65 is group size.. # 72 is months of pro-rated warranty.
same for gm 78-72 / 78dt72 / 78-60 and so on...[dt= dual terminal]
a 72 month battery always has more cranking amps than the 60 or 50
usually starts at 850 cca [cold cranking amps @ 32 degrees] and 1000 ca [cranking amps peak] and works it's way down from there.

Motorcycle or Snowmachine...9bs...12 bs..20lbs are getting bigger in size as the # goes up...the letters on these batteries mean the style of terminals and being sealed or not.

Same with the marine line up with one difference.. the last #'s are the amps..or reserve capacity .

ST31DP850
st= Stowaway
31= Group size
dp= Dual purpose
850=Cranking amps.



Randy

This post has been edited by Randy from Sturgeon: 13 June 2008 - 09:15 PM

[Rattletrap2]

Thanks for all the info Randy!
The first deep cycle I ever purchased was 20 years ago, and it was the GNB Stowaway that was advertised on all the US fishing shows. It was totally sealed and would not leak, even if it was tipped over. It was a good battery, but very pricey. I know, "you get what you pay for", but I'm not convinced that the other batteries won't last as well.

Do you think these Exide Stowaway batteries are the same as the old GNB ones?

I have the room in the back of the boat for the Group 31's, but the added weight is a real killer. They are 62 pounds each. All this weight at the very rear of the boat, plus the motor, starting battery, some safety gear, and so on makes it difficult to counter out this weight and keep sufficient weight on the tongue. When trailering, I just load up my tackle in the front. That usually does it!

I'll do a search to see where I can get Exide Stowaway batteries nearer to me.

[Randy from Sturgeon]

Any Auto Parts Extra or Benson Auto Parts usually have 'em in stock,

where's Mono Ontario ?

I'd try to find a supplier in your area.




Randy