Outboard Batteries Starting/Deepcycle

[Cgarrett]

I am looking at a used boat with 87 Mercury 220 efi model XRI outboards. I have been told by 2 different businesses that outboards should only use "starting" batteries and not deep cycle batteries or it could do damage to the electrical/charging system. I looked at the batteries and they are Die Hard Marine Starting/Deepcycle with 700 CCA. Should I repace them when I get the boat with the starting only batteries, or do you feel the combination battery is ok. Does anyone have the information from a manual or a service bulletin?<br />Thanks,<br />Cordell

 

[12Footer]

Re: Outboard Batteries Starting/Deepcycle

Hmm. That is odd. That's the first Deepcycle battery I heard of with 700cold cranking amps. That's a killer battery!<br />My guess is that you will be fine,as a deepcycle battery cannot deliver that kind of cranking amperage without damage. A trolling motor deepcycle battery could also be ruined by charge at 5amps or greater charge rates.<br />To make sure, call Sears,and ask for the maximum charge rate of that battery. It sounds to me like they are using the term "Deep cycle" out of context,or have designed something wonderfull.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Outboard Batteries Starting/Deepcycle

Cgarrett, alot of reserve capacity for this engine would be a good idea.<br />The 220's only had a 16 amp charging system, and at idle they are actually taking 1 to 2 amps OUT of the battery.......so a deepcycle battery with a large enough crankig amp rating is a wise choice..........

 

[Cgarrett]

Re: Outboard Batteries Starting/Deepcycle

Thanks for your input on this subject. I dug around the sears.com site untill I found the DieHard section with the marine/rv batteries. They make a battery listed as a starting/deep cycle having 925 Marine Cranking Amps with 200 minutes reserve capacity. It says that "It's specifically designed for dual purpose use in fuel-injected outboard motors."<br />The model in the boat that I am looking at is probably a few years old because the next step down from the 925MCA is a 750MCA with 180 minute reserve.here is the link if you want to take a look for yorself: http://www.sears.com/sr/framework/home.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0569164721.0992311824@@@@&BV_EngineID=fjalledjfgjlbgfcmgclchk.0&targetPage=%2fmisc%2fsears%2fdiehard%2fproducts%2fprod_m arine.jsp&vertical=SEARS<br /><br />Thanks,Cordell

 

[12Footer]

Re: Outboard Batteries Starting/Deepcycle

Nice! I checked it out, and will definately consider going to a switched-battery setup,given that they CAN serve both outboard and TM uses. I never knew they made such a thing

<br />Thanks for the info and link.