Marine battery ?

[fishdaddy]

I usually buy the F Farm batteries for my boat. I will be replacing my starting battery which also runs lights and finder. Got about 5 years out of it which seems longer than normal. I'm wondering if the more expensive ones like optima are that much better? The way I see it, it would have to last 3 times as long to make it worth the price.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[BartmanMN]

I just replaced mine as well after 5 years. Previous battery was a size 24 Napa Marine starting battery. Now that my new graph has GPS, which I assume pulls more juice off the battery, I decided to go with a Dual Purpose size 27 Marine battery from Napa.

The dual purpose has the Cold Cranking Amps that my Optimax recommends, but it has better capacity for running the radio, Graphs, livewell pump, when the motor is not on.

This new battery was $114 and they had a 10% discount if you ordered online for pickup at the store.

I did find that the old battery that was in my boat was well below the recommended CCA that the Optimax recommends, however it never gave me any troubles.

[delcecchi]

I think there is some other rating for cranking amps for boat batteries. CCA or Cold Cranking Amps is at a temperature that few use their outboards at. (0 degrees)

[CaptainMusky]

Marine Cranking Apps I believe it is called. Amp Hours or Reserve capacity is also important

[BobT]

Cold cranking amps has little to do with operating peripheral devices such as sonar, lights, bilge, etc. Where CCA is important is in the battery's ability to deliver the current necessary to start your outboard. As already pointed out, this rating is at 0 degrees F. and at warmer temperatures the CCA rating of the battery can be higher.

Reserve capacity is what will relate to the peripheral devices. Higher reserve capacity means the battery will handle these types of loads better.

From DC Battery FAQ

Quote:

Reserve capacity is the number of minutes a battery can maintain a useful voltage under a 25 ampere discharge. The higher the minute rating, the greater the battery's ability to run lights, pumps, inverters, and electronics for a longer period before recharging is necessary.

This is why a dual-purpose marine battery is the battery of choice for the starting battery in the boat. These peripheral devices are typically powered by that same battery used to start your outboard and a dual-purpose battery contains characteristics of both starting and deep cycle batteries.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

I just replaced my starting battery with a FF battery. 800-850 CCA (I think) Batteries are like girl friends-they come and go but I have to confess that I've had the same wife for 45 years!!! It will be just fine with your boat and when it's not replace it!!

[BobT]

I just replaced my starting battery with a FF battery. 800-850 CCA (I think) Batteries are like girl friends-they come and go but I have to confess that I've had the same wife for 45 years!!! It will be just fine with your boat and when it's not replace it!!

With any luck Capt., your battery will last half as long. Congratulations!

[Northlander]

I run nothing but Interstates because they just plain old work and the service I get is unbeatable.

[highlife4me]

I run nothing but Interstates because they just plain old work and the service I get is unbeatable.

+1

[bak2MN]

+2

[NEANGLER]

I had a Optima and it lasted about 2 years, was not too impressed based on the price. I have 2 deep cycle Diehards on the trolling motors and still kicking and the current battery I have for starting is a Interstate - its on year 4 and just now starting to go. So I will go w interstate again.

[dobiel]

Fleet Farm(as well as Napa) batteries are all made by East Penn and are very good batteries for a great price.