Trolling Motor Battery
 

My battery is about 2 years old, I've just charged it when needed. The last trip I charged it and it was going out midway through my trip, I've usually gotten quite a few trips per charge.

Now I have it on my trickle charger and it drops 5% or more at least once a day, it's like the trickle charge is always kicking on.

Why is this battery bad already? It's an interstate marine battery, is this normal? Is it worth a crap? Should it be under warranty for its age?

This is my first boat that I got in 2011 brand new, not sure what's normal. Any help an advice for a replacement is appreciated.

Interstate is junk....we stocked them at the marine dealerships I worked at always had problems. Spend the extra money and get a optima or odyessy.

Used optimas in by broncos and never had a problem, guessin I'll switch to them. Thanks for the quick reply.

Interstate has an 18 month free replacement warranty . Is hard to say by the info given if it is bad or not . Most reputable places that sell batteries will have an electronic tester that will tell you exactly what is wrong with it . It will also have a date code on it , actually two date codes typically the one they punch on the label when you buy it and another that may be a sticker on the side of the battery Second one is usually date o manufacture , not sale date . If it reads
A11 that would be Jan 2011, C12 would be March 2012

I've had bad luck with interstate too. I had a couple in my last boat and they lasted about 2 years. . I'm about to go to AGM batteries I think.

I have 4 optima gel cells. Best money I've ever spent on batteries. All are blue tops bought from SAMs in lake Charles. I use them for cranking and trolling. I've had them for 3-4 years now.

Did you buy boat new? If so call dealer and they may replace it.

Yea, bought it from Mikes marine in Broussard, I'll try. From what I hear though, they aren't very customer service oriented.

Don't waste your time with interstate replacing a 2 year old battery....they will charge you.

Agreed! I live about 2 minutes from there and I usually bring my boat there bc its so close, but you are right the CS there kinda sucks!

what he said
 

x5

Customer service
 

i can't agree with ya'll... i went there for some parts... talked to the guys in the shop and they ended up giving me everything i needed for free. i would say their customer service is freaking fantastic! lol

more than likely your battery's have gotten sulphated to the point that they can not really hold a charge anymore. All of todays lead acid type batteries are very prone to do this when you dont keep them on a trickle charger..

If you need a quick fix on a tight budget here is a method to desulphate batteries using empsom salt. (it works very well) he has a series of 6 video's showing the process from start to finish.

After you get them charged again, keep them on a trickle charger...... even better is to use a desulphating trickle charger that will keep your battery at its full potential for much much longer. I have used an older model like this one http://batteryminders.com/details.php?prod=2012 ,and have lead acid batteries over 6 years old that i run for my trolling motor that still perform flawlessly. (they test out over 12.8 volts and I have never run em down even when using the trolling motor all day)