Starter or Deep Cycle Battery?

[kweeks1]

I have a Force 120hp and the starting battery finally gave up it was a Super Start 27DCM. I'm a new boat owner and I'm confused as to which battery type to get should it be a Starter Battery or a Deep Cycle Battery. The one that was in there is I think a Deep Cycle.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Starter or Deep Cycle Battery?

Deep cycle batteries are not designed to be used as a crank start, sounds like you need either a crank-start marine battery or a dual-purpose marine battery, that can handle high demand for crank-starting and a constant flow for electronics.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starter or Deep Cycle Battery?

For just starting your outboard, you'd want a marine starting battery. There are also marine dual-purpose batteries if you plan on running some accessories also. However, in that situation I feel the best setup would be a 2 battery system with 1 starting and 1 deep cycle and a selector switch. I would not recommend using a deep cycle as a starting battery. It will work but is far from ideal.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starter or Deep Cycle Battery?

Darn Mike posting before me again. I should ban that guy

 

[1979checkmate]

Re: Starter or Deep Cycle Battery?

I know its not ideal... but i use a deep cycle for starting my 115 inline 6. I have a 16' checkmate and i honestly do not want to give up the space, and do not want to add weight with another battery.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Starter or Deep Cycle Battery?

Starters on these engines use a relatively small amount of current (compared to large engines and big auto engines) and a deep cycle battery will work to start a Force 120. I have in the past used one, but it was one that I acquired--meaning free.

The real issue is if you need to buy a battery, why spend the extra for a deep cycle if you are not going to use it on a trolling motor. Buy a marine starting battery from Wal-Mart.

 

[jason32038]

Re: Starter or Deep Cycle Battery?

I picked up my Super Start Marine + Deep Cycle battery a couple of years ago at oreilly for a good price.