Starting Battery weak

[Fish0093]

I have a starting battery that’s going on it’s second season of use. I only fish weekends mainly one sometimes both days. I got everything wired to it, motor, 2 lowrance lives, misc electronics (don’t ever use bilge or live well), power pole pumps, jack plate. Everything except for the trolling motor. Starting last week it’s running out of juice to start my motor so I’ve been having to hook up my jump pack. Never had an issue prior. I checked the water level and it’s full. When it’s charging it almost sounds like it’s boiling a little bit. It’s a group 24 do you think it’s undersized to handle all that? Jump pack with built in voltmeter says it’s like 11.9v right before I jump it.

something I also noticed was that my trolling motor batteries charge at ~14.14v while my starting battery charges at like 13.5v. Bad charger? It’s a regular minn Kota 3 bank charger.

[CatFan]

What outboard? Chances are the group 24 is way too small, but you’ll want to check the battery and the outboard charging system.

[Fish0093]

What outboard? Chances are the group 24 is way too small, but you’ll want to check the battery and the outboard charging system.

i got a Mercury pro xs 115 four stroke. Not sure if it has onboard charging

[RangerTim619]

Go to a group 31 problem solved

[ifishinxs]

I have a 2021 Vexus 1880 with the 115 Mercury. That 24 series waaaay undersized for needs.
The wet cell battery’s that came with my boat have been marginal at best. 27 series for the starting battery and 31 series for the TM. I just replaced them all with 31 series AGM’s.

[Transom]

A group 24 to have enough cranking amps to start the outboard likely was a compromise by design and does not have the reserve needed to supply the load that you have on it. I had a similar problem with the battery that came with my boat. It was fine for the engine but not for the electronics draw. It only lasted 6 months after installing multiple depth finders. I went to a group 31 with a good reserve rating and have not had any issues for several years.

[Fish0093]

What’s a good starting battery group 31? Don’t really want to upgrade my charger so I don’t think I want to go agm or lithium. I already have the Walmart deep cycle group 29 for my trolling motor. Is there a starting battery out there that’s taller? Not sure how I’m going to squeeze one in.

[CatFan]

What’s a good starting battery group 31? Don’t really want to upgrade my charger so I don’t think I want to go agm or lithium. I already have the Walmart deep cycle group 29 for my trolling motor. Is there a starting battery out there that’s taller? Not sure how I’m going to squeeze one in.

For your outboard, you need an AGM.

[Fish0093]

For your outboard, you need an AGM.

Can anyone confirm my charger Minn Kota MK 315D is good for AGM batteries? From a quick check it looks fine. It’s an older one

Which ones do you recommend that won’t break the bank? I don’t mind spending a little bit more. More just concerned about room. My battery compartment is pretty full.

[MCIPinkie]

AGM's are nice and if you can afford, certainly the way to go, but if not in the budget, we have been running wet cell, lead acid batteries for at least 50 years now. Most boats still are.

A good group 27 or larger will serve you well. My new Skeeter came rigged with 4 - group 27's. Three deep cycles for the TM, one cranking battery. I'm on second year with no issues. If I get three out of the TM batteries, I'll be happy. I expect at least twice that for the crank battery. They are Interstates. Not my preferred brand, but I'll run them until they quit, then most likely, I'll go to WalMart or Sam's Club and buy more. IMHO, it's hard to find a more cost effective battery

[CatFan]

Can anyone confirm my charger Minn Kota MK 315D is good for AGM batteries? From a quick check it looks fine. It’s an older one

Which ones do you recommend that won’t break the bank? I don’t mind spending a little bit more. More just concerned about room. My battery compartment is pretty full.

Duracell 31 AGM from Sam's.

[mxmike]

Can anyone confirm my charger Minn Kota MK 315D is good for AGM batteries? From a quick check it looks fine. It’s an older one

Which ones do you recommend that won’t break the bank? I don’t mind spending a little bit more. More just concerned about room. My battery compartment is pretty full.

https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoo...cGUxZyUzRCUzRA..

It works fine on AGM batteries.. Check Page 15 in above link under "Operating Instructions"-- "Overview"

[Fish0093]

If I went with a group 24 agm starting battery would that be better than just a regular group 24? What's a good one I can get locally that won't cost a fortune? I'm not sure I want to get into rearranging my entire battery compartment plus moving power pole pumps until the winter if I were to tackle it. For some reason my lund renegade battery compartment is small I have a hard time getting the starting battery out with my power pole pumps in the way. I may do a lithium battery just for electronics in the future... Not sure.

[mxmike]

If I went with a group 24 agm starting battery would that be better than just a regular group 24? What's a good one I can get locally that won't cost a fortune? I'm not sure I want to get into rearranging my entire battery compartment plus moving power pole pumps until the winter if I were to tackle it. For some reason my lund renegade battery compartment is small I have a hard time getting the starting battery out with my power pole pumps in the way. I may do a lithium battery just for electronics in the future... Not sure.

Probably not..

Listen to CatFan.

[Extremeboating]

Go with a 34 for cranking. They are the same size as a 24 and have more available juice in AGM when you are comparing apples for apples 24/34 AGM's.

[CatFan]

Go with a 34 for cranking. They are the same size as a 24 and have more available juice in AGM when you are comparing apples for apples 24/34 AGM's.

A 34 is smaller than a 24. 1” shorter and the same width and height.

[catdude28]

Go with a 34 for cranking. They are the same size as a 24 and have more available juice in AGM when you are comparing apples for apples 24/34 AGM's.

Like the 24 series, the 34 has a Reserve Capacity that is way too small. In fact, the Northstar 34 and Odyssey 34 , two of the best AGM's around, both have a meager RC of around 135 minutes. Crank batteries in a bass boat application need a decent RC.

[Rayman73]

I use one of these and it works great with all my electronics, power pole and live well, I can run everything all day and still crank the motor. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...p30/11968148-P

[Extremeboating]

Like the 24 series, the 34 has a Reserve Capacity that is way too small. In fact, the Northstar 34 and Odyssey 34 , two of the best AGM's around, both have a meager RC of around 135 minutes. Crank batteries in a bass boat application need a decent RC.

Well if it's for a giant motor 150+ I'd say they are too small for sure. For my 60 HP with a hydro jack plate, tilt and trim function, two Garmins with side scanning/ down scanning sonar and Panoptix all on the same battery (initially) the 34 X2Power AGM has been fine for me. I eventually moved all the electronics to a different battery so that's no longer an issue for me.

I didn't realize it was for a big boat.

[MonteSS]

Go to a group 31 problem solved

Agreed.