Batteries - Wet or Dry?

[Magnet]

I'm going to purchase new batteries for the boat this year.

I read an article this past winter in Field and Stream about a new "dry cell" battery. They gave these batteries a good rating.

They are submersible. Can mount in any orientation. Leak proof. Can be drained over 50 times and still take a full charge. They won't lose their charge during storage or non-use.

On the down side: They are twice as expensive as a wet acid battery.

I've found them in Exide and Interstate. They make cranking and deep cycle. The batteries look like 6 cylinders stacked together like a "six pack" and then molded in plastic.

The problem is that the dealers seem to know nothing about them and can't answer the questions about performance in comparison to wet cells.

Basically I am going on memory of what I read in a magazine 4 months ago.

Anyone have any info or opinions on wet vs. dry?

Thanks in advance.

Magnet

[beemerman]

:cool: Magnet Check out Cabelas, I have a 2001 catalog and it has batteries like you are looking for. they cost from $139. to $254.99 depending on the application. They claim the batteries are much better than regular led-acid kind. I still have a good deep cycle, but I need a new starting battery because i screwed up and left the interior lights on and killed it dead. I've tried charging it numerous times but the little sight window still shows red (it would be green if it was charged). I dont want to take a chance with it so I guess i'll replace it. the ones you are interested in claim completely discharging them HUNDEREDS of times. Maby thats what an absent minded person like me needs. If you try them out and are pleased, let us know . I will too if thats what I end up with:D :cool:

[Magnet]

Thanks for the info Beemerman.

I'm just trying to figure out which way to go. For the price of the dry cells, you could replace the lead acid batteries, twice.

I also wrecked my batteries last year. They don't take a full charge now.

I had a major malfunction on my big motor late last year (that's a whole other story in itself --- Hey? Where's all that oil coming from? Oil injected 2 stroke) and in an effort to get it started I basically cooked my batteries.

I have a cranking battery for starting the big motor and a deep cycle for running all the electronics, radio, stereo, downriggers, lights, spot light, etc. I troll with a 4 stroke Honda kicker which doesn't charge much of anything. While trolling I turn my battery switch to "1". When starting and running I have my switch on "both".

Anyways, these things will happen.

Fortunately I had a kicker. I ran in from 21 miles with the kicker motor. It took almost 4 hours.:(

Magnet

[beemerman]

:cool: I have a 9.9 Yamaha kicker and a 90 hp tiller on my Lund. It's re assuring to know when I wander 15 or 20 miles out on lake Erie that I still can get home. SLOWLEY, but it'l get me there. Look for a black Gary Roach edition Lund out there nailing the Walleyes, that be Me!;)