Correct battery for Mercruiser 165 HP

[akw4572]

Ok, I've read up on boat batteries (now that mine ended up dead on me on the water today). The guy at Autozone said a deep cycle was best, so I bought one with approximately 875 cranking amps. The guy at the boat store had sold me a "starting battery", which had like 725 cranking amps. It went kaput after some 2 months and only my third time out on the boat. Autozone said it was because I have electric trim, radio, etc, that starting batteries aren't ideal for that. I just read online that deep cycle batteries weren't ideal to start a boat with. What do you guys use? Did I just get a lemon with the starting battery and that is what I should be using?

 

[DJ]

Re: Correct battery for Mercruiser 165 HP

akw,<br /><br />Batteries, on a boat, are a constant maintenance item. they get used, infrequently, yet are asked to perform to their maximum potential.<br /><br />Many owners find the combo deep cycle/starting batt's fill their needs nicely.<br /><br />However, in your scenario, maybe you want to consider a dual battery system with switch and isolator.<br /><br />That system will allow you to charge both and use the deep cycle for toys (stereo, etc) while saving your cranking battery for the engine.

 

[akw4572]

Re: Correct battery for Mercruiser 165 HP

thanks, i appreciate the advice.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Correct battery for Mercruiser 165 HP

akw4572: I have a Merc 165 IL4 and have a dual battery set-up that worked well. This year ude to the need to replace my five year old batteries, decided to try one dual use (Starter/Deep Cycle) battery. I went to the group 27 size, with over 1000 CCA. So far no problems, best I've ever had.