Battery Question

[GJCB]

Hello,
I've got a quick question about batteries. I have a 14ft jon boat with a 30lb trolling motor, live well and wired for night fishing. What would be the ideal battery for this boat. I'm very ignorant when it comes to knowing what size of a battery I need. I'd like something that would run most of the day (or night).

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Question

I assume you also have an outboard motor on this boat, and if so is it electric start? If its a rope start, you need the largest "deep cycle" battery you have room for. Battery sizes (physical dimensions) as follows: Group 24, Group 27, Group 31 with group 24 being smaller and group 31 being larger. All batteries within a given group are not equal in capacity (the engergy they can store). So 1) determine how much room you have. 2) choose the largest size you have room for, and 3) buy a battery with the largest capacity (Amp/Hour), cold cranking amps (CCA), and reserve (minutes) you can afford. Standard car and marine starting batteries are not intended to be deeply discharged which is what happens in your situation. Dual/purpose batteries are intended for deep cycle and starting duties but the general feeling is that they don't do either job as well as a dedicated starting battery or a dedicated deep cycle. You have high energy requirements so a high capacity deep cycle is required.

 

[GJCB]

Re: Battery Question

Thanks. FYI, I have an outboard motor, but it's not electric start. So just to make sure I understand you. I need to not worry about the starting (CCA), but more about the deep cycle, reserved minutes. The place I have to mount the battery is approx 20 x 18 by 12 tall. Is there a recommended, or normal amount of reserved minutes I need to look for?

 

[tex599]

Re: Battery Question

Just went through this with choosing a battery for my trolling motor. I choose the Optima Blue top model D34M. It has a 120 minute reserve and works very well. They are a little more than standard batteries, but last a lot longer and are better in marine applications.

Thanks,
Tex

 

[oops!]

Re: Battery Question

So just to make sure I understand you. I need to not worry about the starting (CCA), but more about the deep cycle, reserved minutes. Is there a recommended, or normal amount of reserved minutes I need to look for?

buy a battery with the largest capacity (Amp/Hour), cold cranking amps (CCA), and reserve (minutes) you can afford. a high capacity deep cycle is required.

silvertips post was bang on

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Question

I personally feel you don't need to spend a ton of money on Optima batteries. Are they good batteries? Certainly. Are they that much better than other batteries? That's debatable. I just bought a pair of group 27 deep cycles at my local farm store for $69.00 each and they have 175 minutes reserve capacity at a 23A load. I bought two of them for the price of one Optima. I keep my boats 3 to 5 years and have never had to replace a battery. A group 31 at the same store provides 185 minutes reserve at 23A load.