Battery talk

[BIGSHOW]

I want to change the battery on my boat and was wondering what the manufactures specs are for it. Does anyone know how to find this out? It has a 875 cca starting battery now. The ones i've seen in the store are all around 675 or so. Just wondering what it really needed. Also thinking of a AGM battery. Is it worth the extra money. The prices dont seem bad at sams club. About $115.00

[djkimmel]

Do you have just 1 battery total? Is this part of a series or just your starter/electronics battery?

Deka AGM batteries are supposed to last longer, up to twice as many cycles as wet cell. I already get at least 5 complete seasons (5 when I was fishing 100+ days a year and 5 when fishing a range of 20 to 40 days) out of my Deka wet cell batteries so I have not tried AGM personally.

You don't have to check fluid levels or add fluid, and they less susceptible to vibration damage, with less resistance for a faster recharge. They can be mounted just about any way except they don't recommend upside down. They are less prone to freeze damage risk because they don't lose fluid. They work much better at low temperatures than gel batteries but may not have as much cranking power as a wet cell at low temps. They do not excel in very high temps but that shouldn't be an issue around the Great Lakes region.

Some AGM batteries may require a different charger than the ones most commonly available that are sold for wet cell. Make sure the AGM you are looking at doesn't require a special charger.

From http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0149Generic.pdf

VRLA AGM Batteries
Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) Absorbed Glass Mat
(AGM) batteries use special absorbed electrolyte technology that is superior to flooded lead-acid batteries.

Fine, highly porous microfiber glass separators absorb the electrolyte, increasing efficiency by lowering internal resistance and boosting capacity.

Lower internal resistance also means that the batteries can be recharged faster than conventional batteries,§ allowing the user to put them back into operation sooner.

The valve-regulated AGM battery virtually eliminates gas emissions and acid leakage for longer and safer battery operation. AGM batteries are also completely maintenance-free.

[BIGSHOW]

I have two battery's. One for the trolling motor and one for cranking the motor. I have no charging system for the trolling motor only the alternator for the starting battery. I have a 18 ft sea ray fish and ski with a mercury 115 efi four stroke. Just looking for the best battery option for my boat. There must be a manufactures recomendation.

[mikballa]

hey big show mike here go to boaters world on Jefferson in wyandotte good deals on battery's there also a good starting battery should be 850 to 875,also walmarts everstart battery's are good to you can get one there under 100.00 my first boat had a interstate marine only 750 cranking amps never had a problem with it they are around 100.00

[djkimmel]

It sounds like you are changing the starting battery?

According to Deka Batteries MARINE OUTBOARD MOTOR
APPLICATION GUIDE - http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0406MarineApplicationslayout.pdf - you need:
350 CCA (750 MCA) above 32ºF
750 CCA below 32ºF

You can get away with some 24 size batteries for wet cell - if you fish much in colder weather, you would to get a higher end 24 size with higher CCA/MCA.

If you go AGM/glass mat, you could get away again with a higher end 24 size again if you only fish above freezing temps. If you do fish much near/below freezing, then you may need to go to a 34 or 31 size battery for AGM to get enough CCA/MCA.

If you also run electronics off the starting battery, then you may want to go bigger than a size 24 if you tend to fish longer days.