using an automotive battery

[Thumpbass]

I have aquired a brand new Everstart Maxx 24S automotive battery. It's rating is 850 cranking amps and 700 cold cranking amps. I really don't have a use for it but the cranking battery in my boat ('98 tracker pro team 185 w '98 90ELPTO) is about 4 years old so it's getting about time to replace. Just wondering if I can use the new automotive battery without doing any damage to the outboard? I know that i'll have to buy battery terminals with a threaded post and wing nuts and that it's not an ideal marine cranking battery but considering I have this brand new battery that will otherwise just sit here and collect dust, I'd like to make use of it if possible...of course I dont want to use the automotive battery with my outboard if it can damage it in any way.
Any info would be appreciated..thanks.
The only battery spec info I could find in my manual was reserve capacity 100min and CCA 350 amps.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: using an automotive battery

A starting battery is a starting battery is a...... It will work fine for starting your outboard and not cause any damage what so ever. Most marine starting batteries are just auto batteries with a new label. If you just have lights and instruments to power up it will serve fine. Ditto for the automatic bilge pump.

But if you have appliances to run, such as depth sounders, chart plotters, computers, trolling motor etc you will also need a "house batterY" which should be a deep cycle battery.

 

[j_martin]

Re: using an automotive battery

Throw marine adapters on it and put it in. It'll be fine. I'm jealous.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: using an automotive battery

Most marine starting batteries are just auto batteries with a new label

Not quite...
"True marine batteries are designed for dual use of engine starting and house service and are therefore hybrids (not true deep cycle). These will have spongy, porous plates that are significantly thicker than automotive batteries. They will be larger and heavier than auto batteries. A true marine battery will tolerate up to 50% discharge, whereas a deep-cycle and industrials tolerates up to 80%, whereas an auto battery will quickly die at such discharge rates"

http://www.thefishingline.com/marine.htm

 

[j_martin]

Re: using an automotive battery

Not quite...
"True marine batteries are designed for dual use of engine starting and house service and are therefore hybrids (not true deep cycle). These will have spongy, porous plates that are significantly thicker than automotive batteries. They will be larger and heavier than auto batteries. A true marine battery will tolerate up to 50% discharge, whereas a deep-cycle and industrials tolerates up to 80%, whereas an auto battery will quickly die at such discharge rates"

http://www.thefishingline.com/marine.htm

A Marine starting battery is almost a dead ringer for automotive. Different terminals, and possibly slightly ruggedized, but not much else.

A dual purpose battery, or a deep cycle battery is a different animal as you said.


At any rate, a free group 24 will work fine and do no damage.