Need a good starter battery

[c03camson]

I have a deep cycle battery that starts my boat and it takes forever like 5-6 seconds and im wondering if a battery labeled as "starter battery" would make it start right away. I was looking at an optima starter battery but want to make sure it starts quicker before I spend the money on it. 2003 baja outlaw 5.0mpi alphagen2. thanks

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Need a good starter battery

If your deep cycle battery is fully charged and is in the proper range for CCA, I don't think you're going to see any quicker starting with a different battery. Now, if your battery isn't the proper one or isn't holding a full charge, you'll probably see the starter spin quicker with the correct battery. Have your original rested first to make sure it isn't near the end of it's life span.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a good starter battery

Merc and Volvo both recommend starting batteries only, and not deep cycle batteries for EFI engines. Reason being, the Deep Cycle batteries show to much voltage drop to the ECM during cranking, and may very well be why you are taking so long to start.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Need a good starter battery

I use a blue top Optima gel cell that I swear is a deepcycle starting battery--may be I'm mistaken.
I also have a large deepcycle House Battery and keep the selector switch on both unless I'm anchored for several hours running the lights & stereo- I'll save the starting battery.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Need a good starter battery

Also Mercruiser recommends using only a starting battery with a minimum of 750 cold cranking amps, And / or 950 marine cranking amps, For all of their EFI/MPI sterndrive style engines.

 

[captain zac]

Re: Need a good starter battery

Agree with Don.
Starters are for starting Merc wants these used
There are Dual purpose bats that will crank but not recommended
If you choose to use a Dual purpose then you need to get one that is rated at 20% more that the engine calls for

Advance Auto has Starters for 59.95 and a 10.00 coupon making it 49.95
Advance, Wal-Mart, Sams, Costco and Interstate all have there Bats made at the same place

Johnson Controls

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: Need a good starter battery

For what it's worth, the battery merchants don't want to warranty marine batteries as long as automotive batteries. I have used an automotive battery for a starter for years with no problems. It's your dollar.

 

[c03camson]

Re: Need a good starter battery

The deep cycle battery I have has a CA of 625 at 32F and a CCA of 500 at 0F. So I need more juice, should I get an optima battery or is there something out there that is good but a little cheaper? Are automotive batteries the same as marine?

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a good starter battery

A standard starting/cranking lead/acid battery is all you need. Walmart, autoparts stores, just look at sizes. You do not need the fancy (read expensive) Optima battery just to start the engine. Keep the cables clean and tight, keep the level in the battery topped off and you will be good for years.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Need a good starter battery

The deep cycle battery I have has a CA of 625 at 32F and a CCA of 500 at 0F. So I need more juice, should I get an optima battery or is there something out there that is good but a little cheaper? Are automotive batteries the same as marine?

Your battery doesn't have sufficient CCA to do the job you want. Time to replace with a starting battery. I have heard/read about marine batteries being tougher to deal with the potential pounding they get on open water, but I'm not sure if there is truly any difference with the internal make up of them vs. an automotive battery. I use marine batteries in mine because of the wingnut terminals on top, but there are ways around that. I have always used marine batteries in all my boats and the warranties have always mirrored the automotive style, but that may have been coincidence in the ones I bought.

Get the largest battery with the most CCA and reserve time that will fit in your location. Use a battery box with a hold down as well.