Newport Vessels Trolling Motor Smart Battery Box Power Center Black

UPDATED MARCH 8, 2017
After receiving the replacement, it was only one week later that the terminal post on the replacement pulled out also. The product looks beautiful. However, I cannot ignore reality. The fact is clear that the design is for a product that will not get moved around, or bumped in any way. I do not know exactly what I did to cause the damage. I must have pulled a wire accidentally.

The point is: The terminal posts are not securely attached. There should be a large backing plate inside the housing to prevent accidentally pulling the post out.

I debated about making this update. However, the customer should know that this product is too fragile to be of service to me. I am not gentle with my equipment, and terminal posts are attached to large cables that do get bumped or pulled when placed in a location for easy access. And we have to do just that to be able to use the features.

I do not recommend this product. It has brought me only frustration. I hope the design is updated to securely mount the posts. They should be secure enough to withstand any abusive pulling of the cables. Otherwise, it is just a matter of time before they are pulled out. Durability is a key factor for me, a fisherman. This product just does not measure up, and is of no use to me damaged. I do not expect another replacement, nor am I going to ask for one. My loss, and my education.

Get The Best & Forget The Rest That is my motto to live by.

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UPDATED OCTOBER 29, 2016
Everyone can read my earlier report. Now, after Newport Vessels intervened, I am proud to update my status, and brag that I have exactly what I wanted. For whatever reason, the terminal post came lose on my battery box, and I was unable to find a way to submit my timely claim.

I posted my original review after I felt that I had exhausted the resources available to replace an obviously defective box. Thankfully, Newport Vessels monitored customer reviews. When they saw my review, they were very concerned, and they wanted my negative report changed to something much more positive. Their intervention to maintain their reputation is worth 5 Stars in my book any day of the week. They care and that is important to me.

The difficulty that I had trying to claim a return/exchange reportedly is not the norm. Someone from Newport Vessels sent me an email, and he invited me to call on the telephone. I called and I was quickly routed to a real person who said that he wanted to help, and I could tell that he had some reservations. He was very careful to not make any promises for an exchange until after he verified the facts. The bottom line is these trolling motor smart battery cases have a full year of manufacturer warranty. After verifying the date of my purchase, and sending some pictures he was convinced and all of his reservations melted away.

Now he was 100% committed to customer satisfaction. He made it easy for me to provide the necessary information. I just filled out a claim form and submitted my Amazon.com receipt. After that, he shipped a new case and I received it within a week. I offered to send my damaged case back in his excellent quality, heavy duty shipping container, if he would provide a return label and pay for shipping. He did not want it.

The bottom line is that this is the kind of case I want for my battery. It does an excellent job of protecting my battery and it provides features above and beyond anything expected in a battery box. I love the built in tester. I can quickly check the amount of charge in my batteries. I also love the fact that I can plug my iPhone into the USB charging port to charge my phone while on the lake. After those two features there is one more feature I had not even considered when I bought the box. It is the built in circuit breakers. That's right, my auxiliary posts are routed through a push button circuit breaker, and I used it a lot. All of these features are on top of the box, and they are conveniently located.

I DO NOT recommend this Trolling Motor Smart Battery Box Power Center. This product is innovated, modern, stylish and practical, it's backed by a manufacturer that cares about their reputation. They cared enough to reach out and contact me after I had given up on filing a claim for the loss. I don't see any reason why they would not do the same for you. I just hope that you don't need that service. But considering the cost, as customers we deserve that kind of commitment to the customers.

Just for review, look at these feature photos that sold me on making the purchase. I think the pictures are good enough to show off the built in quality. Their followup actions sell me on customer satisfaction guarantees.

Below is my initial report. It has not been change in any manner. Just know that I am satisfied now. (No longer as of March 2017)
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I was excited to receive this and immediately set my marine battery into it. There are a couple real problems with this battery case. The issue is related to the accessory posts attached to the top of the box. They are not solid. I have no idea what happened to mine; however, I did not drop it or knowingly do anything to damage it.

I have found that my topside posts are not well connected. There is a short in the connection, the terminal post turns and has actually come away from the case. The cable it is attached to is inaccessible. I thought that I may be able to fix it. However, when I turn it over to try and access the wiring inside the lid, I cannot remove the protective plastic cover.

Consequently, I have problems using them. My boat motor is attached to them, and sometimes the connection is good enough to start the motor, and other times, I have to remove the top and move it to an angle to get current flow. Also, whenever I try to use the test meter, it only says that the charge is low. Even when it is fully charged it says low.

I want to replace it with something that has terminal posts that I can count on. I will probably end up trying to tear the protective plastic cover apart to get access.

I recommend that you try to find something with better quality. I guess it needs to be more durable, or at least provide access to make repairs? Good Luck

Oct. 29, 2016 final comment: I think you will love this piece of equipment. Good luck and I hope my information helped you to make an informed decision. "Get The Best & Forget The Rest!"

I just used the battery case to run fans and lights in my house during Hurricane Irma of course connected to an inverter.

The battery case has great features with one usb connection, cigarette plug and the capability of charging the battery without having to remove it from the box.

Cons/opportunity for box design - The battery meter never worked very disappointing not knowing when the battery was going dead. I tried other batteries and it always displayed one bar.

Opportunity- There are limitations also to only having one usb plug an extra usb connection would be a plus. Lastly, the interior of the box should be designed with the ability to have internal walls to help keep the battery from moving and causing damage to the box. There are other battery boxes that offer the wall adjustment feature.

Well made. it was a little short inside, (the top part), but that was because I was using a mega marine battery. :)

I bought this item in May 2017. Did not get it out to use it until late July. The test button failed after one week, the USB and DC outlets never worked, a few weeks in the positive terminal released from the case, and just recently the positive terminal melted through the battery box. This thing is a total piece of garbage. The components don't seem to be marine-grade at all.

USB port did not work to charge my iPhone 5s. The blue lights for battery meter are REALLY bright, like you will see spots afterward if you look directly at it. The box comes with no instructions; I thought my battery was no good because just pressing the level meter button will blink "low" but actually you need to hold the button down for a correct reading.

Arrived right on time, and just as described.
Used it 6 -8 times and it didn't work after that.

good

It's nice but doesn't show the battery percentage correctly