Battery load test result's,,,are they good??

[Quick Cal]

Well I had my batteries load tested. They are Stowaway deep cycle's. Rated at 180 reserve, 650 cca@32 degree's, and 500 cca@0 degree's. I don't beleive they are connected together in any way, but I have to dig through the wiring to make sure.<br /><br />The trolling motor battery tested bad at 650 cca. We kept lowering the cca until the test was performed at 300 cca. Then it said good. So does that mean it's good if I don't use it in cold weather. I think that one might be bad, but I'm no expert. What do you guy's think.<br /><br />The starting battery (wich is really just a deep cycle) tested bad at 650, but good at 600. I think this one will still work. <br /><br />Do you guy's think I can get by with just switching them around for now. I'm short on cash at the moment. Will the one bad one start a Force 150 with 300 cca. I can take a good jump box as back up. It will just be for a month or so until I can get a new battery. I just hate to miss the early fishing. Thank's

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Battery load test result's,,,are they good??

Use the stronger battery for starting and hope for the best. You won't have much power for the TM with the weak one, but it won't be completely useless. I assume you charged the batteries before you tested them? Marine batteries are good for two years, three if they're taken care of. 4 is pushing your luck and 5 is worn out.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Battery load test result's,,,are they good??

The cca rating is (among other things) a measure of the internal resistance of the battery. <br /><br />300 CCA x internal resistance (R) = some internal voltage drop (V). This voltage is subtracted from the voltage that the battery makes available externally to operate your equipment.<br /><br />Since we are talking about a 12v circuit, a drop of 2v would be significant. So (in testing) the current is pulled out of the battery and the battery terminal voltage is measured. If it dropped to (say) 10, the meter would fail it; or 11, or 9, whatever the pass fail is.<br /><br />Now that voltage is only there for the 300 amps, or whatever the test current is. If you only pulled 150 amps (or halved the test current), the drop would be half and so on. <br /><br />So on your trolling motor, you only use a few 10's of amps and in my opinion you won't notice that your cca rating has dropped "somewhat".<br /><br />On cranking your outboard, you are only talking about roughly 85 cu inches (for your 150 hp) and 100 amps should roll that baby easily......I crank 150 cubic inch (and larger) gas farm tractors with no more than 100 amps from the battery...my 400 cu in diesels only run 200 amperes.<br /><br />So it it were mine, I would put the highest rated on the engine like Willy said and go for it. Just be sure and recharge both after your trip or before the next one if your trips are far apart.<br /><br />Have fun,<br /><br />Mark

 

[Quick Cal]

Re: Battery load test result's,,,are they good??

Thank's guy's. You made my day. Heck, any day I can save money is a good one.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Battery load test result's,,,are they good??

Welcome.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: Battery load test result's,,,are they good??

How did you have them tested? Mine are around 2 and I'd like to get them checked. I have a voltmeter but don't think that will tell me what I need to know. I know autoparts stores test batteries - can they do marine batteries?

 

[Quick Cal]

Re: Battery load test result's,,,are they good??

Originally posted by tonycliffy:<br /> How did you have them tested? Mine are around 2 and I'd like to get them checked. I have a voltmeter but don't think that will tell me what I need to know. I know autoparts stores test batteries - can they do marine batteries?

Just go to the auto part's store and they will load test them. Just make sure they are fully charged.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Battery load test result's,,,are they good??

The load test forces the battery to pump out current. It measures the terminal voltage while doing this. If the battery is sulfated up, the terminal voltage will drop below an acceptible level and the battery will fail.......but you have to understand that a partially sulfated battery may work just fine to start your small hp outboard, or run your trolling motor.<br /><br />It just won't crank your 350 cu In Chev big block V8 with a BravoIII lower unit in your I/O stompass cruiser. Grin. No not grin, Big Laugh!<br /><br />For this piece of information, the voltmeter is useless.<br /><br />Mark