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Author Topic:   Battery Recommendation

PeteB88 posted 11-11-2005 08:32 PM ET (US)
The battery in the 13 is failing. I have not bought a marine battery before - what are guidelines, recommendations? I might get a trolling motor for this boat next summer. I am still running when I can on sunny days in Mich - cold weather was limiting factor for this one.
Thanks - -
jimh posted 11-12-2005 09:10 AM ET (US)
Generally a starting battery is chosen to match the requirements of the motor it will be asked to start. Check your outboard motor owner's manual to find the minimum requirements for the battery. For a motor on a 13-foot boat, the capacity needed will be modest, probably not more than 500-MCA (Marine Cranking Amps). This should be easily obtained from a Group-24 size battery.
Marine batteries are available in a wide range of designs and prices. The conventional wet-cell lead-acid battery is the most commonly used battery. You can get a fine starting battery for about $45 at WALMART or other sources. If you like, you can spend up to about $300 for a similar battery from other vendors.
I would not go overboard on the battery. You can probably pull start your motor if you have a low battery situation and it won't crank.
There is an entire website devoted to the discussion of batteries, so rather than attempt to repeat its contents here, let me refer you to it for further inquiry into this subject:
http://www.batteryfaq.org/
jimh posted 11-12-2005 04:54 PM ET (US)
This particular portion of the vast resources of the battery website should be of interest:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq7.htm#differences
13sport posted 11-13-2005 12:35 AM ET (US)
one word. Wal*mart.
PeteB88 posted 11-15-2005 10:29 AM ET (US)
Thanks everyone for the advice - - I got a good buy at Complete Battery Source in Michigan- several locations. They have their own label on Exide manufactured marine batteries that the manager said they spec higher than advertised specs. SO I had them put the meter on a half dozen of each on the shelf and he was not BSing. 800 cold cranking amps (one battery brand) tested over 1000 on their batteries. Great deal - on sale and added 10% discount on top. I got the deep cycle, trolling motor etc etc unit. SO this week it's going to SNOW!!!! I ain't winterizing yet!

thanks again
LHG posted 11-15-2005 05:37 PM ET (US)
I recently bought a new Walmart "Everstart" combination starting/deep cycle battery, (which I think is the way to go with all the elctronics being run today) and it states it is made by EXIDE. Price, $59. Interestingly, these newer style batteries are taller than previous, and do not fit in the Whaler tan battery box. They are about 1/2" taller than the box.
Backlash posted 11-17-2005 08:45 AM ET (US)
Interesting, Larry - I just bought 2 Everstart Extreme maintenance-free, deep-cycle/starting batteries this Spring at Wal-Mart ($59/each) and they are made by Delphi.

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Author	Topic: Battery Recommendation
PeteB88	posted 11-11-2005 08:32 PM ET (US) The battery in the 13 is failing. I have not bought a marine battery before - what are guidelines, recommendations? I might get a trolling motor for this boat next summer. I am still running when I can on sunny days in Mich - cold weather was limiting factor for this one. Thanks - -
jimh	posted 11-12-2005 09:10 AM ET (US) Generally a starting battery is chosen to match the requirements of the motor it will be asked to start. Check your outboard motor owner's manual to find the minimum requirements for the battery. For a motor on a 13-foot boat, the capacity needed will be modest, probably not more than 500-MCA (Marine Cranking Amps). This should be easily obtained from a Group-24 size battery. Marine batteries are available in a wide range of designs and prices. The conventional wet-cell lead-acid battery is the most commonly used battery. You can get a fine starting battery for about $45 at WALMART or other sources. If you like, you can spend up to about $300 for a similar battery from other vendors. I would not go overboard on the battery. You can probably pull start your motor if you have a low battery situation and it won't crank. There is an entire website devoted to the discussion of batteries, so rather than attempt to repeat its contents here, let me refer you to it for further inquiry into this subject: http://www.batteryfaq.org/
jimh	posted 11-12-2005 04:54 PM ET (US) This particular portion of the vast resources of the battery website should be of interest: http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq7.htm#differences
13sport	posted 11-13-2005 12:35 AM ET (US) one word. Wal*mart.
PeteB88	posted 11-15-2005 10:29 AM ET (US) Thanks everyone for the advice - - I got a good buy at Complete Battery Source in Michigan- several locations. They have their own label on Exide manufactured marine batteries that the manager said they spec higher than advertised specs. SO I had them put the meter on a half dozen of each on the shelf and he was not BSing. 800 cold cranking amps (one battery brand) tested over 1000 on their batteries. Great deal - on sale and added 10% discount on top. I got the deep cycle, trolling motor etc etc unit. SO this week it's going to SNOW!!!! I ain't winterizing yet! thanks again
LHG	posted 11-15-2005 05:37 PM ET (US) I recently bought a new Walmart "Everstart" combination starting/deep cycle battery, (which I think is the way to go with all the elctronics being run today) and it states it is made by EXIDE. Price, $59. Interestingly, these newer style batteries are taller than previous, and do not fit in the Whaler tan battery box. They are about 1/2" taller than the box.
Backlash	posted 11-17-2005 08:45 AM ET (US) Interesting, Larry - I just bought 2 Everstart Extreme maintenance-free, deep-cycle/starting batteries this Spring at Wal-Mart ($59/each) and they are made by Delphi.