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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Battery Recommendations - Deep Cycle?

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/21/2014 : 18:59:31

This will be my 5th season with Take Five. I believe that the battery was a year old when I got the boat, so that means that this will be its 6th season. I am going to try to get another season out of it, but need to be thinking ahead to what battery I would be replacing it with if I had to do it on short notice.

I believe (from memory) that the current battery is a SeaVolt dual purpose battery, Group 24. It has standard liquid acid flooded flooded cells.

I actually have two Group 24 WalMart EverStart batteries on float chargers in the basement that are nearly identical to the SeaVolt. They run my backup sump pump, and I take one out for 1-2 weeks every summer to run my Trophy motorboat while on vacation. So in theory I could use one of them if my SeaVolt battery died suddenly.

But if I decide to buy a new battery, I am debating whether to get a deep cycle battery instead. The key question is whether it has enough cranking amps to start up my 15 HP Honda outboard. Do any of you have any experience with this? Any sign that the surge of power needed for starting a small outboard could damage the cells of a deep cycle battery?

I prefer to stick with a single Group 24 battery to meet all of my needs. On the very rare occasion that I need more battery power for a long cruise, I can pull an extra one out of the basement.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2014 : 19:17:16

Rick,
I replaced my original single battery with a couple of Optimas which have never had any problem starting my Tohatsu 9.8. You can read about the install here: http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true& TOPIC_ID=20505& SearchTerms=optima

Edited by - delliottg on 03/21/2014 19:17:57

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2014 : 19:27:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Rick,
I replaced my original single battery with a couple of Optimas which have never had any problem starting my Tohatsu 9.8. You can read about the install here: http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true& TOPIC_ID=20505& SearchTerms=optima
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I recently bought an Optima for my Prius. It's a very high-end expensive AGM battery.

Is your battery a deep cycle? Or are all AGM battery deep cycle by definition? IIRC, I think AGMs are the best of both worlds - both deep cycle and high cranking amps. Right? But that comes at a cost.

I'd actually prefer standard acid flooded cells. They're inexpensive and reliable. And I'd probably have to replace my charger if I went with AGM, which increases the cost and bother even more.

So my question is basically about the suitability of the standard acid flooded deep cycle batteries, with the more durable thick plates. Does anyone here have experience using them to turn over a 10-15 HP outboard?

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2014 : 04:25:30

Is the flooded acid type an issue when heeling?

Paul

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5904 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2014 : 05:36:09

On the recommendation of my marina manager/marine mechanic, I use only deep cycle batteries on my C&C 35, and they spin the 30+ hp diesel engine at least as well as the last dual purpose battery that I used. A regular starter battery is probably good to use if your boat is a sportfisherman with twin Ford V8s, but it makes more sense to use a battery that can be deep cycled for our low powered sailboat motors.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2014 : 07:08:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 On the recommendation of my marina manager/marine mechanic, I use only deep cycle batteries on my C&C 35, and they spin the 30+ hp diesel engine at least as well as the last dual purpose battery that I used. A regular starter battery is probably good to use if your boat is a sportfisherman with twin Ford V8s, but it makes more sense to use a battery that can be deep cycled for our low powered sailboat motors.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thanks, your experience is just what I was looking for. I agree that it if will turn over your diesel, it should be plenty for my little 15 HP. Sounds like it would also be good enough for my 50 HP outboard on the Trophy boat, which is another consideration for the future. And it would definitely be bet for my backup sump pump, which fortunately has never had to run long enough to approach deep cycling its batteries.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 Is the flooded acid type an issue when heeling?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I read somewhere (can't remember where - maybe Don Casey) that they are fine. Apparently you'd have to be heeled over awfully far for it to be an issue. Cars and trucks sometimes climb some pretty good hills.

Thinking this through, I think the direction you have the battery mounted could have an effect. A single battery oriented transverse can probably take a lot more heeling without exposing the plates than a battery oriented fore-aft (as is sometimes done in banks). Something to keep in mind...

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9082 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2014 : 08:11:39

I agree--a 10 hp outboard doesn't need a "starting" battery or even a dual-purpose. Go "deep."

My current two DP batteries (Defender "Sportsman") have served seven seasons without needing a spoonful of water added. I rotate them on a trickle charger over the winter. My mechanic says I should rotate them OUT this year--I probably will, since my only alternative propulsion now is a tow.

I've never had a problem with a flooded battery in a sailboat--as long as it's tied down so it won't end up upside-down and rolling around. AGMs are nice ($$), but require precision with the charging source. One advantage is they don't need charging off-season, so they won't freeze if left on board. My current boat was delivered new with two Optimas, which the Honda promptly fried. Thus the Sportsmen.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2014 : 09:30:06

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hi Dave,

I hate to be dense, but what does that mean? Electrical systems and terms are not my forte

.

Thanks for your help!

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9082 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2014 : 11:18:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Buzz Maring
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 My mechanic says I should rotate them OUT this year--

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I hate to be dense, but what does that mean?...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">No special jargon... I just meant throw them out and "rotate in" new batteries. Sorta like when I was "rotated out" of my first career.

By "rotated them on a trickle charger", I meant that every week or two I'd switch the charger cables from one battery to the other. The charger was not meant to do more than one battery at a time.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/22/2014 11:20:27

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2014 : 11:29:23

A really good onboard charger sure removes lots of issues a person should not have to worry about.

And 24/7/365 shore power.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2014 : 03:33:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Buzz Maring
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 My mechanic says I should rotate them OUT this year--

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I hate to be dense, but what does that mean?...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">No special jargon... I just meant throw them out and "rotate in" new batteries.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">'Got it ... thanks, Dave!

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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1144 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2014 : 07:07:38

I had two group 24 deep cycle batteries on my Catalina 25, wired in parallel. They provided plenty of juice for the tiny little starter in my Tohatsu 9.8.

Two batteries was probably overkill in that boat, I could have gotten by with one.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9082 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2014 : 07:48:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by awetmore
 Two batteries was probably overkill in that boat, I could have gotten by with one.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That's totally dependent on how you use the boat. One was fine for us, too, but we mostly day-sailed, with no TV, stereo, spreader lights, pressure-water, tiller pilot, etc...

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