battery replacement

[Thumpbass]

My manual for my 79 Johnson 100hp says to use a battery with 360CCA w/115 reserve...it says it says it's extremely important to use the correct polarity. On the other hand guys around the bass club meetings say use the biggest battery you can afford and or fit in your boat especially if your running accesories, nav and fishing lights etc off of it. Which way should I go?

 

[xtraham]

Re: battery replacement

any marine battery should be fine polarity only means dont connect it backwards.........

 

[DJ]

Re: battery replacement

"any marine battery should be fine polarity only means dont connect it backwards........"

Outstanding advice. Especially the not connecting it backwards advice. If you do, you just lost your charging ability.

A "Minimal" battery works fine, if you have GREAT connections. That means both ends. Battery and engine.

 

[F_R]

Re: battery replacement

It's not worthwhile to try to skimp. Good cranking rpm is necessary for easy starting, that's where the CCA comes in. Also your motor does not have a voltage regulator and the bigger batteries seem to tolerate that better.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: battery replacement

I think the "360CCA w/115 reserve" is the recommended minimum, even though it may not say that. Bigger is better.

 

[ezeke]

Re: battery replacement

I agree with F R. Bigger the better.

Also, I believe that the marine deep cycle dual purpose is a better choice for all around use for the older motors because the starting batteries cannot tolerate repeated discharging/recharging.

Read the text above the chart here, I think it says it well enough:
http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...=301738905&session_id=410327642&view_id=52134

 

[DJ]

Re: battery replacement

I have no issues with "bigger is better". However, bigger tends to HIDE other issues. For a while.