BATTERIES

[WOOLY BUGGER]

IS THERE ANY THING I SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHEN BUYING A BATTERY FOR A ELECTRIC START 15 HP HONDA,OTHER THAN A 12 VOLT DEEP CELL

 

[Trent]

Re: BATTERIES

You dont want a deep cycle battery..You want a marine starting battery.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: BATTERIES

WOOLY BUGGER <br />This is just my opinion....I'm sure others will disagree. There are 3 things to keep in mind when buying a marine battery....warranty...warranty...warranty. The battery is going to be abused (unless you're a Saint). Its going to be overcharged, undercharged, left dead, and underfilled. Its going to fail. Go to Costco and buy a 500CCA automotive battery.(cheap)<br />Nobody compares to Costco's no-nonsense warranty. NOBODY!!<br /><br />just my humbble opinion...

 

[Trent]

Re: BATTERIES

Ok Schematic...So what the heck is Costco???<br /><br />Down here we just go to Wal Mart and buy the cheap stuff..

 

[petryshyn]

Re: BATTERIES

You're not serious? You're kidding? Do you mean you guys don't have Costco? Come on...<br />Find one...<br />These guys warranty everything.....for life (unofficialy) What an incredable store. I buy absolutely everything I can there. They even allow software returns. Gotta like that!<br />They are Huge!!

 

[Trent]

Re: BATTERIES

Ok...Iv found mine...250 miles away..No wonder Iv never seen one. Heck Im lucky to drive 50 miles from the house!!

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: BATTERIES

Trent, the WalMart ones work great also. I paid $32 for mine 2 1/2 years ago, and it's still going strong. Not sure if the warranty is as good as Costco, but the price is right. BTW, the battery starts my 90, runs the VHF and FF, cabin lights and running lights. (And I use the boat a LOT)

 

[petryshyn]

Re: BATTERIES

Walmart is OK too, but they go by the book for warranty. Costco throws away the book!!<br />

 

[fish4fun]

Re: BATTERIES

Sorry dude, you gotta move.

 

[BBogey]

Re: BATTERIES

I drove from Washington State to Arkansas to buy my duck boat last September...250 miles??? That's a quick jaunt to the store!!!!

 

[gmguy 01]

Re: BATTERIES

wool bugger where ever you buy an automotive battery don't tell them its for a boat they don't really like giving you waranty

 

[dkhntr]

Re: BATTERIES

So let me get this right.... A car battery is just as good as a marine starting?<br /><br />~Chris

 

[petryshyn]

Re: BATTERIES

dkhntr<br />A marine battery is by far a better built battery. The plates are thicker and are mounted in a better supported frame. This allows the battery to live through the pounding you get on rough water. But marine batteries die before their time because of neglect and poor charging systems, so why spend the extra if there prone to a short life anyway? The marine battery will not start the engine any better than an automotive battery, it should just live longer through the rough water pounding. But since it gets abused......the life will be about the same. <br /><br />gmguy 01 is right about the warranty. <br /><br />just my hummmbble opinion....

 

[dkhntr]

Re: BATTERIES

Thank you!!! I was just about to go and buy a marine battery. Now I can buy two car.<br />One for starting, One for accessories.<br /><br />~Chris

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: BATTERIES

I know a lot of people have learnt the same lesson as me - the hard way... If your boat needs a battery to start (I'm not sure whether the 15hp Honda can start manually) then you should think seriously about carrying 2 batteries (preferably with an A/B/Off selector switch). There's not much that's more annoying than being on the water and finding that your battery's died. Considering all the abuse and neglect those babies have to suffer, it seems logical.

 

[captsara]

Re: BATTERIES

I’ve been told it’s a major no, no, to substitute an auto starter solenoid for a marine starter solenoid, on a gas boat. Any comments?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: BATTERIES

Explosion or corrosion......thats what separates auto parts from marine parts. I'll bet the marine solenoid is sealed for arcing purposes. Don't want to be igniting any nearby fumes!! Also, some better solenoids have spike suppressors built in. From the outside they look the same, but the difference can kill electronics.<br /><br />

 

[sonnie]

Re: BATTERIES

one could (in theory) mount the solenoid remotely so that it is away from possible explosive gasses. just make sure that the same cross sectional area of the cable is maintained to the starter motor. what you save on the solenoid you might have to spend on the cabling. <br /><br />to limit the spike one could connect a diode and resistor to dissipate the energy stored in the coil of the solenoid while it is engaged.<br /><br />(hope that the cct image appears below)<br /><br />maybe one of the more experienced boaters could comment on this.<br /><br />just ny 1c worth.<br /><br />sonnie

 

[dkhntr]

Re: BATTERIES

ok, Let me get this straight. I want a marine starting battery and I could use a car battery or my accessories. And to be safe mount the battery bok under the steering so it is away from the gas, and out of the way.<br /><br />Did I get it right? I am confused. I need a drink.<br /><br />~Chris

 

[petryshyn]

Re: BATTERIES

Sorry dkhntr <br />We are talking about something totally different. Yes, use an auto battery as you would a marine battery. Don't worry, be happy.<br />Maui girl and sonnie were talking about solenoids.<br /><br />Sonnie<br />You are on the right track, but the spike occurs only when we break the circuit, not when we energize it. The diode is what some solenoids have built in. Putting an external one as you suggest works well. I do it all the time. But as you say, best off just to get the right solenoid to begin with. Cheaper in the long run.<br /><br />Good luck!