New Battery - Decisions

[dd716ted]

When I bought my boat 6 years ago, the dealer installed a INTERSTATE MARINE / RV Cranking battery 400 CCA / 500 MCA in it.. At that time the only thing that the battery had to do was start the motor, lights and Bilge Pump if necessary. Now it is time to replace that old battery but since then I have added a GPS/Sounder, VHF Radio, and Sirius radio. I haven't had any problems with the exisitng Marine battery operating these things but everyone I talk to is trying to sell me a much larger capacity Marine battery.. Will an exact Marine replacement be satisfactory or what should be the minimum that I purchase. I want to know what I am looking for before a sales person talks to me again..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

the battery you have is there smallest, 24 month warranty, so you did pretty well at 6 years, this is what you have.

24M-RD
12 Volts - Cranking
BCI#: 24M/10
CCA: 400
MCA: 500
RC: 75 minutes
Warranty: 24 months
Dimensions (in): 11 x 6.875 x 9.5
Weight: 35 lbs.
Terminal: Auto/Stud posts

i would recommend you stay with Interstate but go to a bigger battery

SRM-24
12 Volts - Deep Cycle/ Cranking
BCI#: 24M/10
CCA: 550
MCA: 690
RC: 140 minutes
Warranty: 30 months
Dimensions (in): 11 x 6.875 x 9.5
Weight: 46 lbs.
Terminal: Auto/Stud posts
Hours @ Ampere Load: 16.4@5; 4.6@15; 2.3@25

 

[HighTrim]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

I agree with Tash, get the biggest battery you can fit

 

[Boatist]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

You got good advice above. Both group 24 and Group 27 batteries are pretty cheap.

For my cranking battery I like to get the same size that my truck uses. In My case it a group 24 like recomended. I go to costco and buy their brand. Main reason is they are cheaper and have a 3 year free replacement and 100 month pro rated warranty. With batteries the worst thing you can do is to not charge it. In summer should charge once a month, normally no problem because your motor recharges every time you use it. In off season when cold should still charge every two months. If you have the same size as you tow vehical and you get back to the ramp and your truck will not start you can use the boat battery to get you going.

Most of the stuff you have connected is low draw. VHF when talking on 25 watts can draw quite a lot, Bilge pump also if you run for a long time, Radio can also draw a lot if it one of the 1000 watt models. For most of us we transmit on the VHF only for a short time each trip, The bilge pump is not used at all and the radio is only big enough to provide good sound within the boat so low watts. A group 24 battery works very well for this. If you stay the entire weekend without running the motor then a group 27 would be better.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

If you haven't run out of juice, then you could probably get the same thing, but if I were you, I would still step up to the battery that TD mentioned, just because you don't want to have your battery run dead on you while you're out not paying attention, listening to the sirius and doing some serious fishing.

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

I agree with the guys. Bigger is always better when it comes to batteries. Depending on your budget I would recommend a GSM type battery, ex. Orbital, Optima.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

Orbital, Optima. i think are overkill for his purposes.

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

Orbital, Optima. i think are overkill for his purposes.

But we don't know the size and value of the boat?

 

[Lou C]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

I use a pair of West Marine group 27 deep cycles, 575 CCA and 715 MCA, 175 reserve minutes, I used these because it is a moored boat and in case we get heavy rains and the cover leaks a bit, the bilge pump will run. They have never failed to start the motor, even running the bilge pump after a straight week of rain that sank 4 other boats. I just went out to charge em as I do a couple of times each winter and they came right up to charge in less than 20 minutes, have not been charged since Oct. And they are on their 5 season, I bought them in 2003. When I used cranking batteries I had more trouble with dead batteries.

 

[backwater dawg]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

Maybe I have a better thought??? How about installing 2 of the smaller ones witha batt switch so you would never have to worry about the boat not starting--I've had my 1988 Regal since it was new--ALLWAYS had more batt than I needed and NEVER have had any problems out on the water--remember--jumper cables are only so long---good luck--Steve

 

[dd716ted]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

My boat is an ARIMA Sea Hunter (15ft) with a Honda 50 HP.. plus Garmin GPS Map / Sounder , VHF, and Stereo with Sirius... I am now leaning toward a larger capacity / same size (24) Interstate battery however it is a DP Cranking/Deep cycle.. The additional cost was minimal from the basic battery... Just didn't feel safe with a 6 year old battery when on the water... Never have tried and don 't intend on trying to start the Honda with a rope.. UGH!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Battery - Decisions

thats why i recommended that one, the electronics would draw it down as bad as a straight cranking battery.