Two Deep Cycle Batteries?

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fishrdan

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Jan 25, 2008
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Re: Two Deep Cycle Batteries?

Silvertip said:
Nonsense also that the alternator can't supply enough amps to charge a deep cycle. Even the smallest I/O has a 60 amp alternator. A deep cycle battery can be safely charged at 20% of its capacity so the engine alternator has more than enough to charge it. In fact you can run on the BOTH setting with no problem whatsoever. The voltage regulator monitors "system" voltage and cannot detect the state of one battery over the other or if there are one, two, or a dozen batteries in parallel. If you drew down the deep cycle and then switched to BOTH without starting the engine, both batteries would equalize in a relatively short period of time. On the other hand, if you were trying to keep two batteries topped off with a 12 amp alternator on a small outboard, yes, you would have to run wide open for many hours to do so. I agree with Dingbat that the term "cranking battery" in the chart is simply that -- it means the battery you use to crank the engine. Doesn't matter what "type" of battery this is as long as it has the required cranking power. And yes -- deep cycle batteries sometimes do also include CCA or MCA or both as the referenced chart shows. Lastly, a deep cycle battery does not have a "recovery time spec" but it does have a "Reserve Minutes = xxx @ 23 amps (some spec @25 amps).
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^^^ Spot on...

Slow cranking could be a wiring problem and have nothing to do with the battery size/type/condition. A loose/corroded connection, undersized wire, or too long of a wire run (for the wire size) could cause slow cranking. The starter could be toast too. Or,,, you could have a bad battery.
 
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