Marine Battery Recommendation/Suggestions?
Hi Guy's,
Did some searching but can't get a clear idea, don't wana be BS'd by a salesman.
New (2nd hand) tub has an old car battery in it (no isolator etc), ran it flat last night then later caused me a few issues, luckily someone close by had jumpers, need to replace.
Cranking a yammy 55, finder, gps, lights, radio etc, basic stuff
Was gunna get a Marine Pro 720 for $183 from bcf, however lots of online mixed comments re life span, warranty, gel, deep cycle/agm etc etc...
However, after last night I'm thinking it maybe safer to have 2 batteries rather than just relying on the one, one for crank only, other for accessories.
Was also concidering perhaps a small solar panel mounted to the top of the outboard cover (not sure if vibration would effect it?)
Opinions/suggestions re suitable setup/expenditure appreciated
Young bloke just showed me the following pic 
Terry
Posts: 458
Date Joined: 04/12/05
Sea Master
I had Sea Master batteries in my boat and had a fantastic run out of them, like 8 years. I put new ones in for the new owner when I sold it last month. The battery dealer also had very good opinion of them too. Not the cheapest and not the dearest but well worth looking at IMO.
A solar panel would be good for when you are parked up too.
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
sort of depends on your setup
sort of depends on your setup etc. what you have sounds pretty normal......extended stays?
if you have the time and money go two batteries with isolator, 1/other/ both. (only ever run on one at a time, one on the way out change to other on the way in and only if absolutely needed both to start in emergency then immediately switch to one to charge)
two marine batts suitable for your HP crank..(720 sounds over the top for a 55) ...two smaller 600 CCA ish may be better.
IMO if you aren't doing extended stays etc then the solar charger is a waste of time.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
I have always run Optima
I have always run Optima blues, they are proven. I now however am trying the ssb 130a/1000cca Agm they seem to be the goods. Will let you know if 2 years time!
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Hey Vinnie Would that be the
Hey Vinnie
Would that be the hybrid starting/deep cycle or just the starting battery ?
cheers
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Yeh mate the hybrid 130a and
Yeh mate the hybrid 130a and 1000cca. Will be a standalone to run fridges and as a backup to start!
Taffy
Posts: 184
Date Joined: 04/11/10
+1 for Optima Blue
+1 for Optima Blue, got one 6 years old and still tests like new
Jason P
Posts: 521
Date Joined: 16/02/13
+2 for Optima blue, lot
+2 for Optima blue, lot lighter than the 720.
DM306
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
I have a 4.75 ally with only
I have a 4.75 ally with only a 40hp on the back (hopefully a 60 4 stroke one day) and here is what i have done and think its defnintely the way to go (may be biased as i did it all myself).
I run 2 batteries, both are marine pros and I think my cranking one is a 720. The two batteries are controlled by a Blue sea mini 'add-a-battery' isolator and voltage sensitive relay. Basically all I do when I get on the boat is flick the isolator to 'on'. The VSR does the rest, When stopped it isolates the two batteries so I could theoretically run the accesory battery flat and still have a fully charged cranking battery. When the outboard is running it charges the crank battery first, then combines the two so that they both charge.
I think i probably spent a couple hundred on the blue sea kit plus suitable wiring, which is also something to check, wiring was about $10 per metre for tinned 2B&S.
If you want any more info let me know.
Steve
Ashen
Posts: 1042
Date Joined: 22/03/13
Same
I do the same as you Steve. Works very well. Although, I have 2 crank batteries and an agm house battery for the electronics.
A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!
epic restos and...
Posts: 226
Date Joined: 22/06/15
Gee that'll suck lol but
Gee that'll suck lol but seriously heres a question 2hd still working everything out did you or had you tested the battery before going out maybe down charged to start next thing is maybe was my motor charging my battery I have seen simple systems like yours work a treat its the set up that matters,solor panel waste of time unless you are prepared to spend big
linoc
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 21/11/15
Hey Guy's, thanks for the responses
Havn't been getting email alerts for thread subscriptions, just checked Spam folder & there they all are....
Ended up getting a Century Marine Pro 730 for now ($183).
Atleast for now have some mental comfort with a new marine battery rather than an old car one, will try and get it into Brett in Pinjarra in new year, get him to go right through it.
Ashen
Posts: 1042
Date Joined: 22/03/13
My old Voyager had a pair of
My old Voyager had a pair of Marine Pro 720 which were about 3 years old when I bought the boat. When I sold the boat 18 months later, the batteries were still going strong. Your new 730 should provide a few years of good service. Just remember that its basically a normal battery with thicker plates (hybrid) and not a proper deep cycle. So, don't drain it often!
A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!
joe amato
Posts: 731
Date Joined: 21/12/08
calcium batteries what are they like
im also thinking about replacing my rac marine batteries after 5 yrs,what are the calcium batteries like?
out wide
Posts: 1535
Date Joined: 30/12/08
Gday Joe
I know the farmers like the calcium batteries because they can leave the machines parked up all year and they will always start. I have run them in vehicles and they will out last standard batteries with ease.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Have a look at the new Lead Crystal batteries, no messing around with them
http://www.alphaenergy.com.au/Lead-Crystal-Batteries"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf