Best battery....deep cycle?

[vampirefish]

Howdy folks... well I've had my boat for about a year now and it's running great...but ever since I've owned it, the battery doesn't seem to hold a charge and no one thought to mark the year/mo on the battery so I'm not sure how old it is (looks new, but who knows). Here's what's going on:

- So what happens is I go out for the first time (of the day, let's say) and turn on the blower (supposed to run I think like 4 minutes prior to starting engine) and when I go to turn the key....it lugs (like the battery is very low). Turn blower off, be gentle and I can get it started... but this is a little close.
- I have recharged it at home (and have not received any errors to indicate the battery is bad).

So I think to myself, I probably need a new battery, because once I've ran the boat, I can start/stop the engine and there's no problem starting up again - it's just that initial start. Maybe I should still test the alternator? I think I can do so from my battery charger.

With this in mind, what would be the best battery to use? I have a Mercruiser A 1, Gen II, 5.0/V8.... If I recall (I'm at work right now), there's just a car-type battery in there now ... With an inboard, do I need a deep cycle? I want to save money but want to be smart and not get stuck out there...
thanks!

 

[jtexas]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

To determine the state of charge, you'd need a digital voltmeter...12.65 is fully charged, 12.24 is 50% charged...analogue meters don't measure precisely enough. Most chargers have amp meters showing how many amps the battery is accepting - not really an indication of battery condition. A hydrometer is the best way to test a battery at home; most car parts stores will do a load test for free, that's really the ultimate answer.

How long do ya go between outings? A battery will self-discharge over time, and should be recharged every 2 to 3 weeks if not used. You may also have some parasitic drain, if you have a radio with station presets or whatever. A smart charger that can be plugged in and left on round the clock is the best bet.

Find out what merc's recommended CCA is for your engine and make sure your new battery has at least that. Also, make sure to get a marine battery, they're built to tougher standards to withstand harsh environments, shock and vibration. Deep cycle isn't a bad idea, but probably not necessary, unless you like to speed hours anchored up in party cove with the CD player blasting (if the boats a-rockin don't come knockin)............

 

[drewpster]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

Check all connections first, including starter and ground. Seems obvious but you would be surprised how many guys have rewired a blown light bulb. Use stainless nuts and flat washers instead of wing nuts at the battery terminals. Wing nuts do not make a great connection.
If you don't find any loose cables, remove all wires/cables from the suspect battery. Charge it overnight using a low rate on a non-automatic charger, high rate for a automatic one. After you are satisfied the battery is fully charged take it to your local auto parts store. (watch the salesperson load test it and have them explain the readings, if they cannot, find someone who can, trust me on this) If you need a new battery, get a quality marine one.

 

[cjames]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

If you do have to buy a battery, keep in mind that a deep cycle battery doesnt make the best starting battery, and vice-versa. (im assuming you only have one) The do make a dual purpose marine battery that seems to work well. http://www.trojan-battery.com/Products/ProductSpec.aspx?Name=27TM. Ive had very good luck with Trojan batterys in a number of different applications.

 

[sailsmanship]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

I've had the best luck with Trojans. Never had a problem with them...

 

[Fishstick1962]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

I use a trojan 1000Amp cranking battery. Never had a problem.
BTW deep cycle batts are great for trolling, but don't have as much PUNCH as a cranking batt. I have two D/C batt and one cranking batt. I have them wired through two Perko switches and IF I ever need to I can jump start the engine with either or both of the trolling batts. I'm not gonna be dead in the water for lack of batt power.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

The most powerful cranking batts have more CCA than the most powerful deepcycles, but an 850 CCA deepcycle has the same PUNCH as an 850 CCA cranking battery. The difference is in how long they will last in a particular application. A cranking battery will go south fast if repeatedly discharged to 60, 70, 80% between recharges. Some say the opposite is true of deepcycles - my experience says a deepcycle makes a fine cranking battery - but my engine don't have the power requirement of a V8, nor does it have the recharging capability. I been using Interstate deepcycles for cranking - been 100% satisfied.

Most car & truck "cranking batteries" are actually built more like dual purpose batteries nowadays, on account of the huge parasitic drain from ECM's, alarms, radios, etc.

disclaimer: the above is based on a combination of personal experience & research for the best battery for my particular situation - I have no formal training in batterology.

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

I like that...batterology Thanks so much for all of the great feedback - I LOVE this forum!

This was the first time I took the boat out this year and I had fully charged it about 1 week prior to the first outing. Afterwhich, it will be 2-3wk intervals in the summer.

I'll definitely look into recharging it and then taking it in to get it tested. Then go from there, depending on the results. BTW, this is what I use to recharge all of my automotive (and my boat) batteries http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=15577 and it seems to work great. It's no technical wonder, but it has displayed default codes for bad batteries (for me in the past).

drewpster, you said "If you don't find any loose cables, remove all wires/cables from the suspect battery. Charge it overnight using a low rate on a non-automatic charger, high rate for a automatic one." I would guess that I'd use the same setting at 10amp, per my charger's instructions for this size of the battery...?

Also, will consider a battery charger/maintainer as well (sounds like a good idea). I mainly use my boat for watersports and toolin' around the lake. I can definitely see the benefits of this - I didn't realize that every 2-3 weeks it would need to be recharged... that just seems strange to me... don't recall my dad doing that when I was a kid... of course I wasn't paying too much attention either!

What would y'all suggest for a charger (in the boat)? Keep in mind I'm on a budget (who isn't right?)... Would this be something that would work http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=15572. BTW I'm not hooked on Black & Decker, just happened to buy my current charger because it was on sale and in finding the link for this post... found this. Looks like they go for about $25.

I do have a newer radio/cd player that we use...but it's not a huge power draw - could be draining it a little while off but I had this problem before upgrading from my old school tape/radio player (with on/off knobs). The new player is lower end without the constant graphics playing, etc. I make sure I turn it off then remove the head. Of course it probably never turns completely off. Also, no presets are set up since radio is a bit pointless where we go.. just use cd's.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

Brand new battery could probably go months & still start your boat, but that time would shorten as it aged - and it would age faster. Any time spent at less than 100% charge shortens a battery's useful life.

A smart-charger with float mode is ideal. The b&d onboard charger looks good - just note that stuff not designed for marine environments sometimes don't last too long on a boat - moisture, corrosion, shock & vibration - minn kota seems to be the onboard charger of choice on my local fishing board. I don't have one (no electricity at the storage yard).

You can always test it in the driveway - crank up the tunes & check the battery after an hour, two hours, etc. Assuming space and weight on board aren't an issue, there's no reason to lack for electrical power - you could add another battery if you felt the need.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

The battery charger you have is fine to charge your battery. For a V8 I would get a group 24 or larger starting battery. Marine battery are a little more rugged but if the battery in the stern like most boats a auto Starting battery is cheaper and works great. Go to Wal-Mart or Cosco and get a good price. I used a auto starting battery in my 21 foot boat since 1980 when it was new and never had any battery that did not last 6 years, but I do not have a electric trolling motor.

My question would be what kind of drain do you have on the battery when you think every thing is off. Charge it and have it load tested and if it comes up good then take it home and charge but leave disconnected until your next trip then connect the battery before launching. If it starts with full power then likely you have a Radio or something that is draining the battery between trips.
For long life of your battery always fully charge when you get home and charge once a month even if you do not use the boat. Every 2 month durning winter.

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

Thanks all... I bought the Everstart MAXX Marine starting/deep cycle 875 mca/125 am hours, 205 reserve. This is 2x recommended (minimum) amount of mca (marine cranking amps) that my service manual calls for. Haven't had a chance to take it out yet, but when I got my old battery tested...well, first off it was a group 24 (deep cycle - not starting) with no specs on the label.. I saw an 80h (not sure what that stood for) and when tested, it tested at 164 ca! Yikes - no wonder it took a while to coax her to start!

 

[cjames]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

Just curious, who makes the everstart maxx battery? never heard of them.

 

[mwhitten]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

Placing a PERKO switch off of any battery will stop any power drain during down time. I had that problem two boats ago and have had PERKO switches ever since. A lot cheeper than a battery.

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

I just might look into a switch like that - thanks.

Not sure who makes Everstart but they are exclusively at Wallyworld and this one cost me about 80 clams (with tax). It has an 18mo warranty and seems to be well made (but how do I know, right)? It's almost 2x the size of my older battery. My boat started right up (on muffs)...of course it's new, but it's never started right up like that since I bought it!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

I have a 7.4L engine in my boat and have never had a problem starting it with deep discharge batteries. I just buy the ones they have at Costco.

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

Quick update, so far so good with my Everstart MAXX Marine starting/deep cycle 875 mca/125 am hours, 205 reserve!! Haven't had a problem with it yet.. and I have a maintainer that I've not yet hooked up but will for the winter.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

Just curious, who makes the everstart maxx battery? never heard of them.

Johnson Controls.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Best battery....deep cycle?

If you use your boat on a regular basis that will work good but remember every lead acid battery self discharges and it discharges faster in summer heat than it does in winter cold.

If you shut off everything before you turn your motor off and do not have a trolling motor then waiting till winter may work for you.

If your like many with a trolling motor on the bow and a outboard on the stern and you use the same battery for both then not charging your battery completely at the end of the day will greatly shorten your battery life. This is because most of the time your outboard will not fully charge the battery in the run back to the dock or ramp. If it not fully charged then it will shorten it life.

There are some on this board who never have a battery last over 2 years because of that. Others never buy a new battery before 6 or 7 years and have no trouble with batteries. Sears is the only battery I do not trust but not because of Boat it is because of cars.