New battery question

[Mirdar]

I'm going to buy a new battery this week. I'm replacing my cranking battery. I got a 75hp Optimax outboard and 2 9 inc garmin units and livewell. I wanted a 31 series but they don't have them for cranking that I can find. The guy at battery shop said I can use a deep cycle 31 size to start outboard and my 2 9 inch graphs and livewell .my lack of knowledge couldn't argue with him either way because I've always just thought of cranking as the only and proper option. My battery had died a couple times over the years from all day fishing outings since I upgraded my fish finders. So had to jump off deep cycle . It's a pain. I don't want to worry about it dieing .

So question is does anyone use deep cycle 31 instead if a cranking battery? And does your outboard charge a deep cycle like it would a cranking. I tried googling it but got mixed responses. So maybe someone with experience can chime in.

[nickfishy]

I used a deep cycle last year on my 4.3 inboard without issue...just make shure it has as much or more CCA's...got it at napa for around 250 bucks...i had the radio and finder on for half day or more and it didnt care...im putting a second battery in this year but thats just because im planning on a kicker motor as well...so the deep cycle will only be for electronics and other for starting main engine...cheers
Happy fishing.

[Fozzy47]

Two yrs ago I purchased 3 Costco Series 27 Deep Cycle batteries, currently $184 ea at Costco.
One battery is for cranking the outboard motor, the other 2 are for my 24 volt Terrova.
Even after heavy use of the trolling motor, I've gone several days without the need to recharge the 24V batteries, and the cranking battery has never needed charging.
I do have an on-board charging unit that charges these 3 batteries when the motor is running. This is something you may want to consider along with a new battery, as it keeps the batteries fully charged all the time..

Good Luck,

[Fisherman7]

There is a battery that's a combo deep cycle and cranking. Try to find that. I had mine go dead a few times and then I got this type and never had a problem again.

[longfish]

My suggestion would be to buy a deep cycle for cranking the engine and hook up the charger line if available on your motor or have a charger installed on the motor if it is without.

I would also buy a Lithium fepo4 battery for your electronics. If just for your electronics a 30AH will do you for a few days before it needs to be charged. Dont discharge or charge these fully. Best to buy a NOCO charger. PS this setup is not cheap.

If you run a electric trolling motor also use a Lithium FEPO4 battery but a 100AH and also charge it with the NOCO charger.

Lithium batteries are twice as light in weight and the charge lasts twice as long. They also charge twice as fast. The batteries themselves are good for 10 years.

A NOCO charger charges lead acid batteries, Gel Batteries and Lithium batteries. It accomplishes this with different settings. It also has a repair setting. I suggest either the 5amp or the more powerful 10 amp, 3 outlet NOCO so you can charge up to three batteries at once. These chargers are also a maintainer charger so you plug them in for thre whole off season and forget them till Spring.


In the long run this is your best avenue, although expensive.

Hope this helps.

Arnie

[sabmgb]

I agree with longfish that noco multi bank charger is the way to go, and lithium if you can afford them. I checked into them last year when I have to replace my 31 series 24V system for my electric motor, the $2200 was cost prohibitive for me, yes you can buy cheaper batteries but need to make sure the cells are in parallel so if you loss one cell it doesn't kill the battery, like the old christmas lights that 1 bulb dies and the string goes out. I also carry a NOCO buster pack with me at all times just incase my main engine battery dies, plus that way I can put in my vehicle when not boating, I also carry battery cables just incase. I have had to use the cables once, but to start another guys engine,

[salmonslayer]

one way of doing it would be to buy your cranking battery for your regular boat stuff and get a separate deep cycle , put a solenoid between the two batteries with a switch up at console to turn of and on and run all your electronics to a blue sea fuse power distribution box that way everything has its own fuse. when you run your motor flip the switch and it will charge the deep cycle battery and when you shut off your motor shut the switch off that way your starting battery will always be good for starting the boat and running your original boat items
just one way of doing it.

[Longshank]

my way


starting battery for your main engine

separate deep cycle or lipos for your bow mount and electronics

all my stuff is charged by noco


I kept it simple cause that's usually the best way