AGM or Wet Cell for Trolling Motor Batteries?

[Seth]

What do you use? I need to replace mine this spring and am trying to decide if it's worth the expense to jump over to AGM's over the flooded Everstart 29dc's that I've had for the past four years. Going to AGM means I will probably have to ugprade to a better charger. I don't think my Minnkota 210 will properly charge an AGM. A good 3 bank 10+ amp charger looks to be in the $300-350 range.

[gotmuddy]

I use AGM batteries, but not what you would expect. I use wheelchair batteries. UB12350 to be exact.  They are light, handle discharge great, and last seemingly forever.  You can use a regular charger on AGM batteries, although I prefer using a pulse charger.

[176champion]

Most of the newer on board chargers will charge either AGM or regular batteries but will not charge lithium batteries.

Im using 2 group 31 batteries for trolling motor and group 27 cranking battery for outboard.

Interesting on the wheel chair batteries....how big of a trolling motor you have? and i guess you run all day on them?

[fshndoug]

I have used two blue top optima batteries d34m since 2011 can't beat that

[Seth]

9 minutes ago, fshndoug said:

I have used two blue top optima batteries d34m since 2011 can't beat that

Do you use those for your trolling motor? It shows that they only have a 55 amp hour capacity, which is only about half of what your typical 31 series deep cycle has.

[fshndoug]

I have an old Evinrude 56 lb thrust 12/24 trolling motor I routinely run it for 6-9 hours per day.recently bought group 27 and a group 31 battery for my other boats.You definitely need bigger batteries for those more powerful trolling motors.The problem is the high cost of the batteries.Most people don't want to pay north of $215 for a single battery but they don't mind buying a $700 dollars phone,go figure!

[DChance]

Flooded batteries can last a very long time if properly maintained. If you don't mind maintaining them, they are the better deal IMO. AGM are maintenence free yes, but you will pay for it too. For the time I actually use them it was not worth it to me to go AGM when I got new batteries. My 2010 i bought new is only on the second set of flooded batteries. 

[Seth]

32 minutes ago, DChance said:

Flooded batteries can last a very long time if properly maintained. If you don't mind maintaining them, they are the better deal IMO. AGM are maintenence free yes, but you will pay for it too. For the time I actually use them it was not worth it to me to go AGM when I got new batteries. My 2010 i bought new is only on the second set of flooded batteries. 

Same here. I've used two sets of batteries since 2010 and I fish a lot all year long. The first set was a pair of 27 series Fish Hunter flooded cell and the second was the Everstart 29dc Wally Word specials. Both batteries run about $100 a pop instead of $200-300. I guess I just figured since I had to replace them, I would just go with the AGM's. Of course that was before I thought about the fact that I may need to upgrade to a more updated charger....

[nomolites]

I run 2 series 31 AGM batteries with my Ulterra and a 27 AGM cranker; have never run low on juice with them and that’s why I run them.  Just had to flip a switch on my MK charger when I went from wet to AGM.  I bought my batteries at a wholesale club for a good price and have not been disappointed.

Mike

[Seth]

2 hours ago, nomolites said:

I run 2 series 31 AGM batteries with my Ulterra and a 27 AGM cranker; have never run low on juice with them and that’s why I run them.  Just had to flip a switch on my MK charger when I went from wet to AGM.  I bought my batteries at a wholesale club for a good price and have not been disappointed.

Mike

Let me guess, Duracell AGM 31 series from Sam's club? Those are the ones I was looking at. I can get a pair for right around $400. That's the best price I have found.