Battery Replacement

[25cents]

My current batteries (2) are about 3.5 to 4 years old and seem to be fine, but I was thinking of replacing them just to be safe rather than sorry trying to row to shore with a wakeboard. Anyway, two questions.

1) How often do you change your baterries?
2) Any recommendations on brand/type?

The ones I have came with the boat and they are Kirkland Brand.

Thanks for your input and recommendations

[chpthril]

For the main cranking, you cant beat group-24 lead-acid marine cranking battery.

For the house battery, I would consider going with a group-29 marine deep-cycle. Its larger then the OEM group-24 that would have come in the boat, but nets you about 40% more battery Ah. Its a tight fit and may require you to preposition the orientation of both batteries, but its worth it for the added engine off accessory play time.

Im an Interstate fan, but there are plenty of solid marine batteries out there.

[IDBoating]

x2 on the Interstate brand of lead-acid batteries.

[talltigeguy]

I think if you keep your batteries on an onboard charger, you should be able to get 5-6 years or more out of them. But it also depends on your usage. Lead acid batteries that are drawn down completely do not last very long, even deep cycle batteries.

[robert theisen]

I'm also a big fan of interstate batteries. I've had great success with them. Usually get 5 to 7 years out of them. Just like tall said once you kill them completely their life will be short thereafter.

[boatwakes]

Kirkland/Costco are manufactured by Interstate as well. If you're ready to spend a little dough on an external regulator for the alternator (approx $150-$200) and a battery maintainer, then go with Optima. I'm at 10 years right now with my red tops and have them regulated at 13.7volts from the alternator. I have blue tops in another of our boats that are only 2 years old but I expect the same from them. The reality is it can easily get really overcomplicated or just replace them with Kirklands every 3-4 years.

[25cents]

Thanks to you all for this great feedback. This will make my shopping list a lot easier.

[trudelle]

Check out XSPower batteries. They are pricey but well worth it. Never had a problem with them. Used to have Optima blue top but had issues. Will never use anything other then XSPower. Go to http://4xspower.com and check them out