Ok guys:
*** IMPORTANT NOTE: In a fishing application, DO NOT attempt to use the "minimum" specification as your cranking battery!!! You must add capacity for every electrical device in or attached to your boat!
MANY thanks to CatFan for his HARD work compliling an updated list of Batteries with current batteries (including options for most any Mercury Outboard engine).
975+ CCA (975 CCA or higher) is strongly recommended for 150 or Higher 4-Strokes.
IMPORTANT UPDATE- 12/23/2022:
Originally Posted by SB 2022-19 and SHS 2022-21
See this link for: Almost anything you ever wanted to know about Batteries or Chargers
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AGM BATTERIES: Suitable for ANY Alternator-Based Outboard Engine (DTS (All), Verado (All), Fourstroke (150+hp including the V6/V8 Fourstroke), Optimax (all) or (Alternator-Based 2-Stroke EFI engines ONLY)).
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Label Brand Part Number Retailer CCA MCA RC Weight Group Technology Manufacturer Vmax XCA31-1400 Various 1200 1400 205 78 31 AGM VMAX USA Odyssey 31M-PC2150 Various 1150 NR 205 77.8 31 AGM Enersys Northstar NSB-AGM-31M Various 1150 1370 220 75 31 AGM Enersys NLA-BPS Pro Series X-900 31 BPS/Cabela's 1150 1370 220 75 31 AGM Enersys Batteries Plus X2 Power SLI31AGMDPM Batteries Plus 1150 1370 220 75 31 AGM Enersys
"Budget" Traditional Wet-Cell (COMMERCIAL) Batteries (Suitable for Optimax (all), 2-Stroke EFI (all), 4-Strokes below 150hp):
Although we strongly recommend batteries from the choices ABOVE this chart, these batteries provide an option for those who might be on a tight budget, and are relatively easy to find. These batteries CAN be used with Stator-type Charging Systems.
Label Brand Part Number Retailer CCA MCA RC Weight Group Technology Manufacturer Interstate 31-XHD Interstate Dealers 1000 1250 195 61.4 31 Conventional Flooded Clarios(Formerly Johnson Controls) Interstate 31-MHD Interstate Dealers 950 1190 195 59.9 31 Conventional Flooded Clarios(Formerly Johnson Controls) Duralast 31-950 Autozone 950 1185 195 59.91 31 Conventional Flooded Clarios(Formerly Johnson Controls) Carquest 31S30 Car Quest/Advance Auto 950 1185 175 NR 31 Conventional Flooded Clarios(Formerly Johnson Controls) Deka 1131MF Various 950 1170 175 56.5 31 Conventional Flooded East Penn Exide XHP-31D Various 950 1100 190 NR 31 Conventional Flooded Exide NAPA* BAT 7236* NAPA* 950* 1170 175 56.5 31 Conventional Flooded East Penn Super Start 31-5T O'Reilly Auto Parts 950 1170 175 56.5 31 Conventional Flooded East Penn
* Due to the sheer number of NAPA batteries with similar specs, only one is listed. Verify terminal configuration and CCA rating of your chosen model exceeds the requirements for your setup.
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"Other" Batteries: (Sometimes used as trolling, house, or small-engine Cranking Batteries)
(These batteries are not suitable choices for 150+hp engines in a fishing application)
Label Brand Part Number Retailer CCA MCA RC Weight Group Technology Manufacturer Exide 31XHE Various 935 1050 180 NR 31 Conventional Flooded Exide Northstar NSB-AGM-27M Various 930 1080 195 68 27 AGM Enersys BPS Pro Series X-900 27 BPS/Cabela's 930 1080 195 NR 27 AGM Enersys Batteries Plus X2 Power SLI27AGMDPM Batteries Plus 930 1080 195 68 27 AGM Enersys Exide HP-31D Various 925 1050 180 NR 31 Conventional Flooded Exide Exide XRF-31D Various 925 1110 200 NR 31 AGM Exide Exide XRF-31E Various 925 1110 200 NR 31 AGM Exide Exide Megacycle XMC-31 Various 925 1110 200 71 31 AGM Exide Interstate 31M-AGM Interstate Dealers 925 1190 200 69 31 AGM Optima Blue Top D31M Various 900 NR 155 59.8 31 AGM Clarios(Formerly Johnson Controls) Northstar NSB-AGM24M Various 840 1010 160 58 24 AGM Enersys BPS Pro Series X-900 24 BPS/Cabela's 840 1010 160 58 24 AGM Enersys Batteries Plus X2 Power SLI24AGMDPM Batteries Plus 840 1010 160 58 24 AGM Enersys Duracell 31DTMAGM Sam's Club 800 1000 200 67.5 31 AGM East Penn Deka Intimidator 8A31DTM Various 800 1000 200 67.5 31 AGM East Penn Power-Tec 8A31DTM Defender Marine 800 1000 200 67.5 31 AGM East Penn Remy Battery 8A31DTM Various 800 1000 200 67.5 31 AGM East Penn Optima Blue Top D27M Various 800 NR 140 53.8 27 AGM Clarios(Formerly Johnson Controls) West Marine WM8A31DTM West Marine 800 1000 200 67.5 31 AGM East Penn
IMPORTANT NOTE:
STRONGLY RECOMMEND the installation of a CLAMP-STYLE battery terminal on most of these batteries. This gives you a THREADED connection, that is CLAMPED to the largest/strongest connection point the battery has to offer (and often prevents MANY problems that can creep up down the road).
Example:
Make ALL connections to the terminal as described below:
Battery terminal connections should be installed ENGINE CABLE FIRST, remaining lugs "Largest to Smallest", and finish off the connection with a Stainless Locknut (do NOT use wing-nuts).
BEFORE INSTALLING A NYLOCK NUT ON A BATTERY TERMINAL: IT SHOULD BE PRE-THREADED ONTO A SUITABLE BOLT FULLY, AND REMOVED FROM THE BOLT (to ensure nylock is pre-threaded, and no abnormalities exist in the nut).
Failure to follow this step MAY result in damage to the threaded terminals inside the battery (and subsequent intermittent or total failure of the battery to charge or perform properly).
Updated July 7, 2020 with Additional Battery Info.
MANY thanks to CatFan for his HARD WORK compliling these battery lists with updated/current information!