Battery replacement

[mikeauton]

The battery in my boat is original from new (2007) and whilst it works great, I am going to replace it with a new one to be on the safe side, it must be close to its life span by now.

My current battery is an Interstate 24M 800 CCA (single battery).

I read up on deep cycle batteries and it seems to conclude that they are great for running your electrics, but have less cranking power? My fear is that we will flatten the battery whilst sat on anchor using the stereo for 3-5 hours at a time.

My ideal scenario would be to have dual batteries and I do have the space, but am concerned about additional weight and also would not want 2 batteries on one side of the boat from a weight distribution perspective.

Do I :-

1. Replace with a single deep cycle?
2. Replace with a Gel battery with good cranking power?
3. Consider putting dual batteries in for electrics and cranking separate?

If option 3, I will have some work to do + wondering if this is a little over kill for a 19 foot bowrider?

Is there a good dual purpose battery that wont cost the earth to buy? (I am not a rich man!)

PS - I do have a small solar charger I will plug in whilst we are stationary

 

[Don S]

Re: Battery replacement

Here is copy and paste from Volvo installation manual concerning the type of battery.



3.0GL and 4.3GL Models Only: Use a 12 volt battery having a
minimum rating of 360 Cold Cranking Amps at 0?F (-18?C), and a
115 minute reserve capacity rating at 80?F (27?C).

All Other Models: Use a 12 volt battery having a minimum rating of
650 Cold Cranking Amps at 0?F (-18? C), and a 165 minute reserve
capacity rating at 80?F (27? C).

Battery Connections

CAUTION! Use bolts or nuts to secure battery cables to the
battery terminals. Do not use wing nuts, even if they were
supplied with the battery. Wing nuts do not provide a secure
connection for battery cables. Loose connections
could cause permanent damage to electrical components.
An internal star lock washer must be used with either a nut
or screw to secure battery cables to the battery.

 

[Don S]

Re: Battery replacement

3. Consider putting dual batteries in for electrics and cranking separate?

That's always a good idea if you like to run electronics, stereo's etc. when the engine is not running.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery replacement

Running a stereo for 3 - 5 hours???????? That is an automatic requirement for a dual battery setup and even moreso if this stereo includes an external amp of any size.. Your minimum single battery setup should be a group size 27 or better yet a 29 "dual purpose" battery and for safety, a portable jump box. For a dual battery setup, a marine starting battery for the engine and again, a group 27, 29 or 31 deep cycle for the house battery. A dual battery switch and/or an ACR to complete the system. If you have ac power available wherever the boat is stored, skip the battery switch and ACR and install a good two bank on-board charger and plug it at the dock/home.

 

[mikeauton]

Re: Battery replacement

Thanks for the input. Interesting that the boat was shipped from the factory with the battery cables secured with wing nuts, clearly against the advice given above. I will ensure nuts and locking washers are used.

I store the boat in my garage, so can easily put the battery on charge to keep it topped up. I have a charger already, is there a need for an on board one? I considered a portable jump box, but I am concerned it may not have enough power to crank my V8 over? I took a brand new battery off my generator to test this out and it did not have enough in it to kick the motor over, I suspect that a portable starter would have a similar sized battery inside?

Is there any information available on converting to a dual battery set up? I think this is what I should really consider doing for max peace of mind. I presume I need a new dual battery switch? Cables long enough to run from port to starboard (weight balancing) or am I complicating things for myself I wonder?

We have long days on the water here in Florida and I love my music

 

[mikeauton]

Re: Battery replacement

Priced portable power packs, most have low amps available and for the price, I am thinking it would be better to invest that money in another battery. The issue with power packs is that it is yet another thing to keep charged up - I have enough things with engines and batteries already

 

[brnschoneck]

Re: Battery replacement

Heck I have 3 batteries onboard when i go out at night ...Its all up to what u wanna spend and do ??? I have one for trolling motor,one for lights, one for engine ...I never run outta juice ....I would think about installing another one and carrying a xtra for a spare to start motor . unless its daytime and a lot of fellow botors out to jump you ..Nothing worse than being stranded i always have a xtra when im out at night later fishing tends to not be soo many boats if my batt.. dies im screwed NOT WHAT I WANT !!! Or get u a nice big jumper pack rated for ur baots cca ...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Battery replacement

A dual battery setup (one starting and one deep cycle) with a switch would be ideal for your situation. An onboard charger isn't necessary but a dual bank one you could just plug in when you got home sure would be convenient (you can always add this later though).

 

[Don S]

Re: Battery replacement

Best thing you could do is install a battery switch and ACR like the ones in the link before. Your start and house batteries are separate, but both will charge when the engine is running. The house battery can be used up, but not drain the start battery, and you do not have to remember which battery your switch is set to or anything else. Just turn the switch on and the beginning of the trip, and off at the end, the rest is automatic.

Add-A-Battery - 120A - Blue Sea Systems

Blue Sea Systems Add A Battery - iboats

 

[emilsr]

Re: Battery replacement

If I had it to do all over again I'd go with Don's suggestion.

I've had good luck with the group 24 Interstates; have 3 of them but that's probably overkill.

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Battery replacement

CAUTION! Use bolts or nuts to secure battery cables to the
battery terminals. Do not use wing nuts, even if they were
supplied with the battery. Wing nuts do not provide a secure
connection for battery cables. Loose connections
could cause permanent damage to electrical components.
An internal star lock washer must be used with either a nut
or screw to secure battery cables to the battery.

I'll disagree with that one especially for those of us who use pliers to tighten wingnuts. Much rather deal with a wingnut on the water than a regular bolt. None of my electronics are sensitive enough to be effected by lose connections anyway.

 

[mikeauton]

Re: Battery replacement

Thanks very useful information, I think I might just do it properly from day one and be a happy and secure boater. Cannot imagine anything worse than a flat battery on the water

 

[Don S]

Re: Battery replacement

I'll disagree with that one especially for those of us who use pliers to tighten wingnuts. Much rather deal with a wingnut on the water than a regular bolt. None of my electronics are sensitive enough to be effected by lose connections anyway.

But you have an old outboard, and the OP has an 07 V8 with electronic ignition and an alternator that can be damaged by loose connections.
This is just a common battery note in all newer IO's and Outboards installation manuals.
Besides with a proper battery switch, and good batteries why would you need to disconnect a battery out on the water to begin with?

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Battery replacement

But you have an old outboard, and the OP has an 07 V8 with electronic ignition and an alternator that can be damaged by loose connections.
This is just a common battery note in all newer IO's and Outboards installation manuals.
Besides with a proper battery switch, and good batteries why would you need to disconnect a battery out on the water to begin with?

Usually don't have to. But I do take it off the boat quite often for maintence and boat work. Your statement was a general statement, I disagree with it.

Your response about newer motors makes me like my older motor even more.

 

[Don S]

Re: Battery replacement

Usually don't have to. But I do take it off the boat quite often for maintence and boat work. Your statement was a general statement, I disagree with it.

It wasn't "MY" statement, if you go read the post again, you will see that it's a copy and paste from the Volvo installation manual for his type engine.

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Battery replacement

It wasn't "MY" statement, if you go read the post again, you will see that it's a copy and paste from the Volvo installation manual for his type engine.

My bag, I stand corrected.

 

[mikeauton]

Re: Battery replacement

Warnings are there for a reason, bitter experience has taught me to heed them. Great thing about getting old is you have the potential to be come a wise old git That said, I think you can correctly tighten a wing nut with pliers

My plan is to buy a deep cycle battery today (Marine Maxx - Group 29 845 CCA and RC of 114 hrs), then add the switch later when I can afford it. I will manually transfer the leads over when we are out for a long day.

Will keep the other battery onboard until it dies and continue to use it for starting only. I always keep my batteries charged up, so hopefully I wont get caught with my pants down :facepalm: