Correct cranking amperage for 2000 150hp Ficht

[Cricket Too]

Hey guys, When I bought this motor new in 2000 the dealer told me I needed 1000 MCA to crank it and he just put the battery in since I was buying a brand new boat and he had to supply one. The battery is still good but I was going to go to a 2 battery setup and was wondering if I really need the 1000 MCA and if I do why do the FICHT's require it. Thanks, Mike.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Correct cranking amperage for 2000 150hp Ficht

Engines that use a computer for running, OptiMax, Evinrude, HPDI, EFI, need a large capacity battery for 2 reasons. When starting, the voltage drops due to the high current demand of the starter motor. Computers need 9V or above to operate, and will go "off line" if the voltage drops below a threshold. The starter will still spin the motor over, but the computer ain't alive.<br /><br />When extended idling, alternators do not put out a lot of power. Along with depth finders, radios, lights and other accessories, the battery could be running down even thought the motor is running. A large reserve capacity on a battery will keep things alive a lot longer and keep the voltage above 9V.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Correct cranking amperage for 2000 150hp Ficht

Thanks seahorse, that makes perfect sense to me. Just one other question which I think I know the answer to already but, I also have a boat with 1999 twin 200hp Johnsons, (carbed obviously so no computer), that I bought with relatively old batteries. I'm gonna replace them next season and was wondering if I should just get some 1000 MCA batteries. It currently has 850 MCA batteries and I haven't had any problems with them. I run a GPS chart ploter, a pretty big screen color depth finder, regular black and white depth finder, am/fm radio, VHF radio, spot light, deck lights, and wash down pump. <br /><br /> My question is obviously the higher amperage batteries would be better for these accesories, but would the higher amperage harm anything on the motors or not, I would assume that it wouldn't, and the engine would just use what it needed to crank and that I would have the extra amperage for running accesories when idling or drifting. Let me know, thanks alot, Mike.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Correct cranking amperage for 2000 150hp Ficht

Get 1000's for the Johnson's too. They have magneto generated ignition systems and the faster they crank over, the hotter the spark is. Minimum rpm is around 350 to start a well tuned motor. With gear reduction starters, they need all the help they can get to spin over fast enough.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Correct cranking amperage for 2000 150hp Ficht

Roger what Seahorse sez. The difference in price is tollroad change. <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Correct cranking amperage for 2000 150hp Ficht

Thanks guys. I am selling the Mako 21' with the 150 Ficht on it, so I was thinking of swapping the 1000 MCA batteries with the 850 MCA's from my bigger boat. Would the 850's crank that Ficht or are they too weak? I don't want to harm anything on the motor and I don't want to screw anyone who buys it, I don't work like that, and this motor has been an absolute gem and I want it to stay running good for whoever buys it. Thanks again. Mike.