Marine starter batteries

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

My boat's starter battery just gave up the ghost.

Should I just replace it with the same capacity battery, or try to get something bigger?

It is rated at 675 CA; 540 CCA; 80 RA

[PerchJerker]

That really depends on your motor and what you run off the battery, ie. is it just to start your motor, or do you spend a lot of time running pumps, lights, locators etc. off the battery when the engine is not running? If your old battery was getting it done for you, you can stay with the same size, But if you have concerns or were running it down, then go bigger. And if you're not sure, maybe go bigger (there really is no such thing as too much battery power) unless you don't put a lot of use to the battery.

FWIW I have a bigger Optimax on my boat and I think that Merc requires 1,000 CA or CCA as a minimum for my motor.

[Surface Tension]

What size outboard do you have?

Any issues with your electronics shutting down when you start the outboard? If so you might want to jump up in CCA.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I have a 50hp Yamaha.

Yes, I run two locators, live well pump, lights, etc. on it.

[Surface Tension]

You'll want a deep cycle then.

[Tom7227]

Maybe you want to get a starter battery for the motor and a deep cycle for the other stuff. That way you can be sure that you are going to have enough to fire up the motor at the end of the day no matter how long you spend out on the water running the goodies.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I already have 2 deep cycles for the trolling motor.

I heard you shouldn't run a locator off the same battery as the trolling motor.

I'm not about to buy another deep cycle just for the electronics since I don't usually use all the goodies at once. I've not had an issue keeping the starter battery charged, it just got old and died.

[Surface Tension]

"Yes, I run two locators, live well pump, lights, etc. on it"

Leave the two sounders on the NEW starting battery and get the other stuff off then.

[8-Ball]

I would say use the trolling motor battery for just that, and run your other goodies off the starter battery. Has always worked that way for me w/ no issues...

[snoozebutton]

I heard you shouldn't run a locator off the same battery as the trolling motor.

Why is that? I have two batteries in the back, one for starting and the other one for all the electronics. One battery in the front for the trolling motor and front locator. Should I have a second battery in the front just for the locator?

[Surface Tension]

If your not getting interference off the trolling motor then its fine to share that battery with the sounder.

[PerchJerker]

Should I have a second battery in the front just for the locator?

A better option would be to run the wires for your front locator to your starting battery in the back. Like Frank said, the reason is only to avoid interference, and if you're not getting any then don't worry about it.

[snoozebutton]

Thanks guys and so far, no problem. It was already wired to the front battery from the factory so for now, I'll leave it the way it is.