What batteries should I buy?

[jumpjets]

My boat and engine are in my signature. I have two ~600CCA 12v batteries in the boat right now. The marine mechanic who stored my boat for me over the winter told me they were close to being dead, but they were holding a charge. I cranked the boat on earmuffs today, and that was just enough to kill the boat's batteries.

What type of replacements should I get? Do I need marine specific batteries from our local west marine store, or can I just get some automotive batteries from the local part store and use those? I'm thinking that an 800CCA battery would be plenty. Something OE chevy 1500 pickup or a ford F-150 would suffice.

What do you all think? should I get a dedicated marine battery, or will a cheaper automotive battery suffice?

 

[Bondo]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

Ayuh,.... You can buy yer batteries anywhere ya want,...

Usually a group 24, or 27 with the Right connections...

600 cca is enough, but more is Better...

 

[90stingray]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

Usually they have a "starting marine" and a "deep cycle marine." I went with the deep cycle when i bought mine. It did cost more than a starting marine battery. I am sure as long as you have the correct connections as bondo said... you will be good.

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

what do you need two batteries for? It's not like your starting a diesel or anything. All you need is a cranking battery, you don't need to go nuts on the cca as you are not starting your boat in the dead of winter. If your going to run a bunch of lights and such off of battery while the engine is not running you might consider a deep cycle battery(s) as they have more storage.
The cranking battery I have now is from Napa, I have about 3 years on it now and it's just fine.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

don't buy into the 'marine battery' hype either. At one time the theory is that marine batteries were built to withstand bumps and vibration better. Turns out that at least for modern batteries, the only difference is the top post design. Internally they are 100% identical now. (not counting deep cycle obviously) Marine batteries have posts + screw terminals. You can add those to regular batteries with the addition of some clamps with terminals built in.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

For the most part a battery is a battery. If you really go pounding around in your boat and get a lot of vibration you can go with an optima because they are different technology and do hold up better but are roughly twice the cost. For most applications any automotive battery will be just fine.

 

[riptorn]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

What is the history on the old batteries? What switch are you using?

 

[5150abf]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

Any battery will work for a starter but you want a deep cylce for your house battery, the one that runs the fishfinder, stereo ect.

Deep cycles are made to be repeatedly drained and recharged and you wnat the biggest one your wallet will allow.

Tyeeman, I run 3 batteries on my boat, 16'v with a 50, a starter and 2 house batteries, I night fish so I run lights all night and use my troller alot and hate running out of power, the starter and house batteries are on seperate circuits but can be jumped if need be.

I would also reccomend an on board charger, keeping them charged makes them last alot longer.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

go with an optima because they are different technology and do hold up better but are roughly twice the cost.

Optima's made after the name was sold to JCI are junk, I wouldn't pay $1 more for one then I would pay for a standard duralast or whatever brand it is they sell at walmart. When Johnson Controls bought optima from the Swedish company that formerly owned it they transitioned manufacturing to Mexico and started using inferior materials. A lot of Optima's "good" reputation is residual from people who owned the old, good, optima batteries.

If you want a battery that will last and are willing to pay for it, buy an Odyssey or a Diehard platinum (they are made for sears by odyssey and are identical but a little cheaper). There are other good battery companies out there, Eastpenn (Deka) being one I know of, but I personally have had excellent results from the Diehard platinum's.

 

[jumpjets]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

I'm never out on the ocean for more than 4 hours at a time. I just bought a standard 750amp battery from O'reilly. I'll get a deep cycle for my stereo in a few weeks. I think for the immediate time being I'll just run on a single battery.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

I don't think you should have a problem. I would think about putting in a volt meter if you don't currently have one just so you don't wind up without enough juice to restart the motor. I didn't know that they had gone to cheaper materials on the optimas. As far as regular batteries go my favorites are interstate. I've been running them on all my vehicles for almost 15 years with exceptional results. They do tend to be a bit on the pricey side but I think the are well worth the few extra bucks.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: What batteries should I buy?

I've actually had fairly bad luck with interstate batteries. On average they seem to go out the quickest for me at least. Also, interstate's are identical to the cheapest battery sold at walmart, they are both made side by side at the johnson controls factory. (which makes about 1/3 to 1/2 of all batteries in the US, sold under dozens of labels)