Starting Battery for 300XDC

[YoungRE2]

I have a group 24 lead acid starting battery from Trojan (1000 CCA). It seems like the starter is running in slow motion when starting my 300XS Opti. Been working fine for the 2 3/4 years I've had the boat with no problems starting it. Do you think I need to go with a bigger capacity battery and if so will the starter spin the engine better. I never had an issue with it running down even running the electronics all day, it just seems like it's not spinning the engine over as fast as it should. What are some of you guys running in your 250 and 300 Opti's.

[21XDC]

A group 24 is too small in my opinion for any v-6 no matter the MCA... Get a 27 min with the most MCA you can find. I use a group 29.

[Largemouthlou]

Sounds like it is time to replace the battery!! I liked the Dual Pro Line but they aren't available any more,,

[RustyJ671]

I just got my first Optima about 6 months ago and I've experienced no problems with it so far. It has plenty of power even in this cool weather we're having. It has 1000 MCA and that it's physically smaller and weighs less than the one I had.

[rocketmanjp]

YoungRE2,

Go to the MERC 3 Litre High Perf Forum. There is a sticky named "Oil, Battery, Fuel Recommendations" It has a list of batteries tested by Merc for Verados and Optis. The only group 34 batteries that passed the test were Odeyssy and Sears Diehard (which is the same battery from research I did). My 300XS starter is very slow also, especially when real cold. I just changed from a perfectly good Optima group 34 (the one everyone recommends) to the Odeyssey PC1500 and I went yesterday in 39 degrees and it still sounded like it wasn't going to crank, but it did. I don't know if we have starter issues or what the deal is.

[250XDC]

I put a brand new AC Delco maine cranking batt. on my 250proxs and I find it still cranks slow,but never failed to start. It's a 24 with 1000 mca. I wasn't sure if the 27 would make a big difference, but I guess it does.

[YoungRE2]

After doing a little research I think I'm going to go with a Die-Hard Platinum group 31. I know it's heavy at 75 lbs. But it is the same battery as the Odyssey 2150 with more than enough power and a three year free replacement warranty. It will probably slow the boat down a little but I don't like taking chances with batteries since I don't get back to the launch site unless it starts the motor. I do like the speed but will give it up for peace of mind. Should not have to worry about running any accessories with this one. Kind of pricy though.

[WHITEXD]

I would first take my starter apart and replace the brushes.The if it doesnt turn over good replace the battery.

[YoungRE2]

Not saying it could be the starter but the motor only has 46 hrs on it since new. I might be wrong but in my opinion I don't think the group 24 I have is strong enough to turn it over and after running two depth finders, live wells, flasher, etc all day and being two and 3/4 years old it probably needs to be replaced anyway. I measured thirteen volts after charging on my smart craft gage. Put a tester across the terminals and it read 13.7 volts. Anyone know what it should read after a full charge. I don't know maybe the starter is supposed to be a little slow. Been doing it since new.

[21XDC]

After you take off the surface charge it should read 12.6 min... You cant test it right after a charge. Every charger kicks off at a different voltage. My dual pro kicks off at 14+V.

Clean the terminals/connections well and put dialectric grease on them. You can get it cheap at the auto stores.

[transamz9]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by YoungRE2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not saying it could be the starter but the motor only has 46 hrs on it since new. I might be wrong but in my opinion I don't think the group 24 I have is strong enough to turn it over and after running two depth finders, live wells, flasher, etc all day and being two and 3/4 years old it probably needs to be replaced anyway. I measured thirteen volts after charging on my smart craft gage. Put a tester across the terminals and it read 13.7 volts. Anyone know what it should read after a full charge. I don't know maybe the starter is supposed to be a little slow. Been doing it since new.

</TD></TR></TABLE>My 250 turns slow also,but it sounds like the batt is getting some age on it.If you have a digital multimeter then get someone to help you check the load voltage on the batt.You can also take it to just about any parts house to have it checked.Just make sure it is fully charged first.Also the optimax requires at least 1000MCA

[Basswipe]

I'm also in the market for a cranking battery. My dealer obviously used batteries from the lowest bidder. If I sit and fish for a long period of time without cranking the motor it will not start. It has left me hanging twice now. It has been in cold weather but this battery has always left me wondering. My last two Bullets had cranking batteries that lasted 5 years. This one is about to take a sh#t at 1 year. It's an Interstate.

[transamz9]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Basswipe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm also in the market for a cranking battery. My dealer obviously used batteries from the lowest bidder. If I sit and fish for a long period of time without cranking the motor it will not start. It has left me hanging twice now. It has been in cold weather but this battery has always left me wondering. My last two Bullets had cranking batteries that lasted 5 years. This one is about to take a sh#t at 1 year. It's an Interstate.</TD></TR></TABLE>How often do you get out?Does your onboard charger keep it charged while not in use?If you fish alot and run the wells alot then you need to check water level often.Check your water level make sure it's full.

[BigCranks]

I've had good luck with Deka

[Basswipe]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by transamz9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How often do you get out?Does your onboard charger keep it charged while not in use?If you fish alot and run the wells alot then you need to check water level often.Check your water level make sure it's full. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I fish every weekend and have recently checked the water level. It will charge with the onboard charger and be fine if I crank and run every one to two hours. It's basically a crappy battery from the get go. I had the motor worked on by a very knowledge person and he told me that when he saw the battery. This was before the problem occurred. He was right.

[livetofish]

My dads last 2 boat came with Interstate and they both went out after about a year

[55excl]

That is what I will go with next made in the USA. Deka Sea Mate AGM 27 group 810 MCA 65 lbs. 20 AH CAP. 198 min.

[21XDC]

Deka is a great battery, They are just a notch below trojan and they are trying all the time to beat them. Per an honest sales rep.

[55excl]

Mike are you talking AGM? I did not know Trojan made a AGM. I will check that out.