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  1. #1
    Member hookahawg's Avatar
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    Forgive me...but I'm confused about battery requirements

    Hello folks, I'll try and keep this simple and to the point.
    Here is my setup and requirements:

    -2000 Merc 225 EFI
    -3 Helix 10's (2 x Mega, 1 x Gen 1) + boat pumps, lights etc...
    -36v Trolling motor

    ***The electronics are a new addition and the main reason of concern, as I understand that they are power hungry.

    Like most, I do tournaments, so 8-10 hour days. Several main engine startups and good runs throughout the day.

    I use standard lead/acid and not AGM or Li batteries.

    Would this battery selection get me through a tournament day?:

    3 x group 29 for trolling motor (I know this will work)
    1 x group 29 for everything else (here's the kicker!!)

    I am trying to avoid the cost of AGMs.... and forget Lithium.
    I am also trying to avoid a 5 battery setup.

    Thank you for any wisdom.
    2000 VIPER COBRA 201D /225 Merc EFI SER: 0T054298
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  2. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #2
    It’s a good starting point. No real way to know without trying. It depends a lot on fishing style and how much running you do. A battery setup that’s perfect for one person may be inadequate for someone else.
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
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  3. Member hookahawg's Avatar
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    #3
    Thanks John. I forgot one important question: Is it generally ok to use a deep cycle battery as a starting battery?
    Specifically with a setup up such as I will have, with all other requirements being drawn from the same source.

    Thanks again
    2000 VIPER COBRA 201D /225 Merc EFI SER: 0T054298
    Where does the white go when the snow melts?

  4. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #4
    Quote Originally Posted by hookahawg View Post
    Thanks John. I forgot one important question: Is it generally ok to use a deep cycle battery as a starting battery?
    Specifically with a setup up such as I will have, with all other requirements being drawn from the same source.

    Thanks again
    As long as it meets the CCA requirements of the outboard you are fine. For EFIs without alternators, Mercury recommends against them, but there is really no option when you have a lot of electrical load on the boat.
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
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  5. Member hookahawg's Avatar
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    #5
    Well my engine does have an alternator so I should be ok. Thanks again!
    2000 VIPER COBRA 201D /225 Merc EFI SER: 0T054298
    Where does the white go when the snow melts?

  6. Member fishnfireman's Avatar
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    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by CatFan View Post
    It’s a good starting point. No real way to know without trying. It depends a lot on fishing style and how much running you do. A battery setup that’s perfect for one person may be inadequate for someone else.
    What he said ^^
    There are a few larger lead/acid batteries on the market if your 29 falls short. I believe Auto Zone has a 31 with high numbers.

    Its not Auto Zone it's at NAPA ---
    Last edited by fishnfireman; 03-02-2019 at 06:37 AM.

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    #7
    Given the same physical dimensions for a battery, there will always be a trade-off between reserve capacity and CCA. For my trolling motor I give priority to reserve capacity and run 2 31m deep cycle batteries each with 550 CCA and reserve capacity of 205. For the starter battery, to get the 5 year 3 year free replacement warranty, I give priority to CCA and run a regular car battery 27m with 810 CCA and 140 reserve capacity. My current batteries are a little over 3 years old and I believe still strong enough to get me through another year of fishing. I understand the effect of deep discharging a regular car battery but I think the effect can be minimized by not allowing the battery to sit in a discharged state.

    As you have already stated, the 29m is fine for your trolling motor. A 29m starter battery should be fine as well. Our set up and fishing conditions are similar with the exception of me only having 2 finders. However, I wouldn't hesitate to run a 3rd finder on my setup.
    D-Dubya


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    #8
    If you're running multiple graphs along with other electronics off your cranking battery, you should try to get one with the most RC in a battery that meets the engine specs that you can install or afford.
    Wes
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  9. Member hookahawg's Avatar
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    #9
    Found this. Not deep cycle but what do you guys think for starting, electronics and accessories?
    It's a Cummins....surely made by someone else but anyway... also has 24 mnth warranty

    BCI Group Size: 31
    Battery Volts: 12V
    Cranking Amps 1125
    Cold Cranking Amps: 925
    Reserve Capacity in Minutes: 190
    2000 VIPER COBRA 201D /225 Merc EFI SER: 0T054298
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  10. Member fishnfireman's Avatar
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    #10
    Sounds a lot like the one I mentioned above.

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    #11
    That Cummins looks like a rebadged Exide 31 series commercial battery. Nice battery. Lots of us use commercial batteries for cranking. I use a commercial Deka with my Opti. There is an argument against commercial batteries for a bass boat, but I get good longevity from them.
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    #12
    May be a bit of an overkill but if you have the room and don't mind the little extra weight, it would give a lot of peace of mind. I like the 2 year free replacement warranty.
    D-Dubya


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  13. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #13
    Quote Originally Posted by hookahawg View Post
    Found this. Not deep cycle but what do you guys think for starting, electronics and accessories?
    It's a Cummins....surely made by someone else but anyway... also has 24 mnth warranty

    BCI Group Size: 31
    Battery Volts: 12V
    Cranking Amps 1125
    Cold Cranking Amps: 925
    Reserve Capacity in Minutes: 190
    Pick whichever is heaviest.
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
    nothing else matters.​

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    #14
    Never heard about a argument about using commercial batteries, I use this one and have had no problems...

    https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBE7236
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    #15
    Quote Originally Posted by rcraigrrt View Post
    Never heard about a argument about using commercial batteries,

    There are several performance differences attempting to use batteries created for commercial vehicles by recreational boaters....

    for budget minded rec boater desiring max typical life and avoiding being stranded by a battery just reaching the battery's end of life, he may favor avoiding using any commercial battery.

    For a commercial fishing vessel committed to doing preventative battery change-outs such as annually or a bass boat owner trading to a new boat annually or a boater not cost sensitive and never wanting to ever bother having to maintain their batteries (adding water) or boost charge their battery during long term storages might favor the commercial battery.

    (Forum does not handle table data well)

    Lead Selenium (low antimony) vs. Lead Calcium

    CHARACTERISTIC LEAD ANTIMONY, LEAD CALCIUM

    Electrolyte Solution: Dilute Sulfuric Acid, Dilute Sulfuric Acid
    Electrolyte Specific Gravity :1.220 to 1.290, 1.215 to 1.250
    Float Charge Voltage: 2.15 to 2.25 Volts, 2.17 to 2.30 Volts
    Boost Charge Voltage: 2.30 to 2.40 Volts, 2.35 Volts
    Use of Standard Battery Charger: Yes, Yes
    Expected Service Life at 77° F (CVFloat)20 Years,20 Years
    Cycle Life to 80% D.O.D. at 77° F: 800 to 1200, 200
    MaximumWater Intervals at 77° F: Fair, Good
    Recommended Operating Temp Range: 50° to 90° F, 50° to 90° F
    Storage Time at 77° F (Filled): 3 Months, 6 Months
    Storage Time Discharged Max. 24 Hours, Max. 24 Hours
    Vented Gas Composition: Hydrogen, Oxygen, AcidVaporHydrogen, Oxygen, AcidVapor
    Self-Discharge at 77° F" 0.1% per Day, 0.05% per Day
    Capacity at End of Life: 80%, 80%
    Recharge time at float 3 days, 6-7 days
    Plate Growth Resistance: Good, Fair
    Corrosion Resistance: Good, Fair
    Predictability: Good, Fair


    Lead is of course is too soft of material to be used alone as a cell plate material. Marine batteries must sustain the shock of wave actions subjecting its supplemented lead plate material to stress levels much higher than what might be found on a quite large, often slow moving or shock absorber equipped commercial vehicle. Battery manufacturers tend to not market their calcium batteries and associated warranties into the rec boating industry.
    Last edited by Lou r Pitcher; 02-28-2019 at 10:28 AM.

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    #16
    Quote Originally Posted by rcraigrrt View Post
    Never heard about a argument about using commercial batteries, I use this one and have had no problems...

    https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBE7236

    For an even bigger one, check out the napa 7234. Weights about 5-6lbs more, still 3 year warranty. I don’t see how you can beat it? Anyone think of any downfalls to it?

    https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP7234

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    #17
    Quote Originally Posted by grout-scout View Post
    For an even bigger one, check out the napa 7234. Weights about 5-6lbs more, still 3 year warranty. I don’t see how you can beat it? Anyone think of any downfalls to it?

    https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP7234
    Got four years out of that one. Pull the labels off to expose the caps so you can check water levels periodically. It's a Deka, and only takes water once in a while. Don't use it as a "maintenance free" battery.
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  18. Scraps
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    #18
    Sam's running a sale on Duracell AGM's right now.
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  19. Member
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    #19
    Quote Originally Posted by catdude28 View Post
    Pull the labels off to expose the caps so you can check water levels periodically. It's a Deka, and only takes water once in a while. Don't use it as a "maintenance free" battery.
    Calcium batteries (whether being marketed as maint. free or not) by their chemistry use almost no water. Additionally their physical construction allows sufficient electrolyte to prevent the plates from becoming exposed.

    At the point water is needed in a calcium battery (and it will then use significant volumes of water) the battery is chemically changed being below the amperage capacity threshold which the industry considers 'end of life and no longer usable'. The performance falls quickly as compared to a antimony plated battery whose capacity falls off slowly.
    Last edited by Lou r Pitcher; 02-28-2019 at 10:44 AM.

  20. HYDRA SPORT LS205 225HO JER-1 BIG BASS's Avatar
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    #20
    What you guys think bout this as trolling motor batteries 2 of them for 24 volt, trying keep little weight down.
    my starting house battery 31 weighs about 75 lbs. don’t want 2 more heavy batts .
    https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP7234

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