Starting battery

[WMH65]

What size battery should i use for starting my 85 HP Force. I was thinking about geting an EverStart 24MS-6 Marine Battery. Should this be good enough or does it need a bigger one. It has 625 Cranking Amps. I also have a depth finder and head lights that run off this battery and was thinking about putting in a radio. Thanks

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Starting battery

should check out your manual for minimum c.a., but 625 is probably fine. I think you are describing a size 24 deep cycle battery, and offhand that sounds like it should work for starting and accessories (head lights? sound like a large draw, but probably used only when under way(?)). I like a two battery system just to be sure.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Starting battery

When it comes to boat batteries, the larger the better. Although the same rule cannot apply to cars due to space limitation in the engine compartment. However, on boats it is totally fine but then of course, it all depends on your funds available. It is the same reason why others decide to use the two battery system. And yes, you need deep cycle batteries for boat use, unless you ran your boat throughout the year then you can also use starting batteries.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starting battery

I have a dual battery setup.
One is a 450CCA the other is a 550 or 650cca.
I go out and run the radio(vhf) and a fish finder all day.
I run out on 2 batteries and when we stop I switch to one battery.
I've never killed the single battery while fishing all day.
Now if you install a radio with power inverters and all the accessories you'll need a BIG battery.
The second battey is a good backup,just in case.
Waiting for a couple of hours for a tow boat is a pain.

 

[redstrat]

Re: Starting battery

Clear me up on something. I think I remember reading somewhere that deep cycle batteries are not recommended for these motors.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: Starting battery

Deep cycle are the recommended battery due to the plating in them for rough conditions of boating, if you use a normal battery it wouldn't last as long.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Starting battery

I use 2 dual purpose starting/deep cycle marine batteries that are rated at 650 CCA each. I have a battery switch so I can run with just the first one, both, or just the second one. It also has a position to shut off both batteries. I use this position for short term storage and in case of an emergency if need be.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Starting battery

Clear me up on something. I think I remember reading somewhere that deep cycle batteries are not recommended for these motors.

The internet has been a fascinating technology greatly improving means of communications. However, with improved means of communications also comes misinformation. At the basic level, there are only two main differences between starting and deep cycle batteries (of course, nowadays there are more different versions based on combinations of starting and deep cycle batteries). Starting batteries (SB) are generally made with more electrode plates that fit in the same size of deep cycle (DC) battery, hence able to provide more current (especially for starting). On the otherhand, these plates are thinner compare to the same size of DC battery hence unable to stand lower discharges, usually no less than 80% of its rated voltage (around 10.5 volts) or it will sustain serious damage.

Deep cycle on the otherhand can withstand up to 50% discharges without sustaining damage because it uses thicker electrode plates. With thicker electrode plates, means there are less plates compare to the same size of SB battery, hence provides less current (starting current). DC are recommended for boats and RV's or any engine that is not used throughout the year. A battery that is not being used obviously is not being charged and will continue to self-discharge. And if not manually charged, it can actually discharge up to the point of serious damaged especially for SB batteries.

Going back to the topic, I believed what you read is probably the recommendation not to used Maintenance Free batteries for Force engines especially those with unregulated charging systems.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Starting battery

There was a similar thread recently on the J & E maintenance forum, and it was suggested that deep cycles should not be used for starting. As an alternative, somebody suggested use of a diesel battery to provide the heavier plates for bouncing in a boat, along with sufficient cranking amps for starting a diesel. It happens I use both. I use diesel batteries in my old Mercedes diesels (think they are size 31 or 32 -- big suckers). I use large (27) deep cycles with upwards of 700ca in my old inboard Trojan -- starting and house battery. I also use a smaller deep cycle for starting and running lights in a 14' aluminum. I've never had issues with any of them. I had to replace the regular starting battery in the Trojan last spring, so replaced both the starting and house batteries with the ones described above. Boats are stored (here at least) during a long winter, and as in all boats they are not used -- unfortunately -- on a daily basis. So I like deep cycles for that. Anyway, I'm comfortable with the choices as a user -- don't pretend to be up on the applicable literature, though. Might check out that other thread. The batteries aren't cheap (maybe $125 give or take for the deep cycles, maybe $160 or so for the diesel.) You might be able to do better if shopping around. None of the batteries are maintenance-free. I just never go with those.

 

[redstrat]

Re: Starting battery

Thank you Jiggz and oldboat1 et.al. for taking the time to clear things up for me. This thread has been very informative.