Starting battery minimum requirements?

[pman7]

I've got a 71 Merc500 and I'd like to get a starting battery and use my deep cycle for only trolling and assessories. I have a tendancy to sometimes almost deplete my deep cycle by trolling.

Unless it's a foolish idea I'd like to keep my starting battery small. Would a garden tractor variety battery be sufficient, even on cold days?

What would be the minimum coldcranking amps I should use?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starting battery minimum requirements?

as hard as a inline merc can be to start in the cold, i think a 650CC is minimum. i use a 1150 CCA as i like to have the extra umph. we use to use a battery that was interchangable with the tow vehicle

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Starting battery minimum requirements?

I understand what you are trying to accomplish, but the extra weight of a good high cranking amp battery will assure you of a good starting engine. I never just buy the minimum battery for any or my vehicles, be it cars, trucks or boats.

 

[pman7]

Re: Starting battery minimum requirements?

So much for that thought.

Advice taken.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starting battery minimum requirements?

now you got the idea, ever try to pull start that beast. as a teenager we use to rope start a 115 Johnson.

 

[pman7]

Re: Starting battery minimum requirements?

I've never had to pull start it yet (knock on wood). I've only owned it about 7 months. It's got the rope hidden under the cowling and I probably should get a new one. The rope doesn't look like it's ever been used but it just might be the original. I'd better take it out and check it.

I redid the wiring harness inside while installing a tach. So far it runs like a dream, starts up very easily, idles at about 780 and WOT is about 5300.

Thus far, Murphy's Law does not reside in my boat.