Marine Battery Question

[antgogz]

So I have had a die hard marine battery for about 8 years. It has worked EXCELLENT. I have a die hard automatic charger and usually charge it after I use it. Then it would sit in my parents garage for the whole winter and I would charge it every once in a while during the winter. I always charge it on slow. However, stupid me left the battery in an outdoor closet in my condo. I was done with it in the fall and left it there all winter and forgot it was there with how busy I have been. I noticed a little bit of dried up acid towards one of the metal screws on the top. Is it safe to try to recharge it? Or do you guys think it's finished???

[Charlie B]

I don't think there is much danger trying to recharge it. But if you used it for 8 years I think you got your moneys worth out of it already and time for a new one...Charlie

[Ken Lyons]

Amen!

[Rickhem]

If you got 8 years out of a deep cycle battery, you're doing something right. I've had cheapo no-name batteries, Interstate batteries, even an Optima and they all seem to be done after 3 or 4 years. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

My current battery is a Walmart brand that was the cheapest one I ever bought. I figured if it lasts 2 years, I'm still ahead of the game financially, and this will be it's third year. I'm not in the boat every weekend, but I do fish mostly electric only lakes, so trolling motor use is my primary application, your results may vary.

[Delawareriver]

8 years! Yeah no harm trying to charge just make sure the water levels are good. But you definitely got your money out of it, mine usually only make it 1 to 1 and half seasons before I start seeing significant lose in capacity. Of course bowfishing is untypically hard on batteries and I'm on the water 3 or 4 nights a week when it's good.

[antgogz]

Thanks guys.....yea I only use it probably 3 or 4 times a month with a trolling motor on a small pelican boat. I always charged it on slow. Diehard batteries are definitely good quality. I'll try charging it and see what happens. If anything I'll go get a new one.