Choosing the correct battery - 1994 Wellcraft Excel

[Likdaplant]

I bought a used 1994 Wellcraft Excel with no manuals. I have been having trouble with my battery (it is older from 2006) holding a charge recently and I think I need to buy a new one, but I want to make sure I buy the correct one for my needs.

The boat is an 18' Bow rider the Mercury 3.0 LX engine. What is the appropriate cranking amperage vs. storage capacity ratio for a boat like mine. I like to play the radio when we are floating in the lake but other than that the only other draws on the battery are Trim, Blower, lights, bilge and horn, so I don't think I need a huge storage capacity.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[90stingray]

Re: Choosing the correct battery - 1994 Wellcraft Excel

I believe the recommended battery for a 4 cylinder is... 375cca 475mca and 90Ah. Hope this helps.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Choosing the correct battery - 1994 Wellcraft Excel

I would go with the highest cca and reserve rated marine starting battery in your size group. Check the size of your current battery, probably a 24 or 27. IMHO. You can't walk home from the middle of the lake. While I am putting in my 2cents, it is also a good idea to get a good battery maintainer (about $20) and keep it plugged in whenever you are not using it, including all winter.

 

[Likdaplant]

Re: Choosing the correct battery - 1994 Wellcraft Excel

I agree with the idea of not skimping on the battery, I have to check and see what group my old battery is, I think it is in group 27. I am looking at getting a dual purpose battery so I can sit for an hour or two and listen to music. As long as it has enough in the way of MCA that shouldn't be a problem, should it?. This might sound stupid, but what does a battery maintainer do? You are not talking about a solar trickle charger to keep the battery topped off are you?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Choosing the correct battery - 1994 Wellcraft Excel

what does a battery maintainer do?

It is just a low amp automatic battery charger that keeps your battery fully charged during long periods of inactivity. If your battery is partly discharged it will bring it up to a full charge and automatically shut off, and will maintain safely that full charge over an extended time. Put it away in October, and it is ready to go fully charged in May. Ordinary cheap trickle chargers can overcharge a battery over time. I have 3 batteries 1 start and 2 deep, and they are on maintainers 365 days a year. Good ones have a "float" function, fancy ones have a desulfator that extends battery life (so they say).

 

[Island Seeker]

Re: Choosing the correct battery - 1994 Wellcraft Excel

Thanks for the info stoneyloam. I need a new battery too and was wondering what size to get. Think I'll invest in that maintainer as well.