I just purchased my first boat - 2006 185 w/4.3 (200 hours). Picking it up in the next few weeks from a private seller. I am going to put in a new battery for piece of mind as the current battery is from 2014 (Group 24 deep cycle). Looking for advise on the 'best' battery to put in a 185.
2006 185 - Battery Choice?
- Thread starter pfitzsim
- Start date
Thanks. I will primarily be using the boat for doing some tubing/wake boarding with my kids and some general touring around the lake. This will entail some periods of anchoring while listening to music (engine off). I hadn't planned on a second battery but may consider doing so if my engine off time was limited. Thanks.
OK, so "ideally" we would use a marine starting battery. With limited radio time, you'd still be fine. A starting battery isn't designed to be drawn down over and over, but a deep cycle isn't really designed for the quick/powerful amperage draw of starting. So in an ideal world, you would use two batteries (a starting and a DC). But, again, if you're not using the radio all that much (and I would consider an hour or two at a time "not" all that much), go with a starting battery. The stock radio doesn't pull a huge amount of power.
A Group 24 starting battery from a quality manufacturer would most likely suit you just fine. Deka or Interstate would be my choices. We put G24 Deka's in boats like yours (and have been doing so for many, many years) and our customers do quite well with them.
There's also a DP (duel purpose) battery that is a hybrid of a starting and a DC. But, personally, I haven't found them to be as good, overall. It's sort of like "cleaner-wax"... it's OK, but it can't be great at both things.
As I mentioned in my first post, though, there is really no "one best" way to do things. I'm basing my opinion on my personal experiences and the marina's experience, but others may have different opinions.
You could always carry a jumper pack, if you're concerned about drawing the battery down too far by mistake. Those newer, LiIon battery packs are about the size of a pack of cards! Just make sure you keep it charged (although they do hold a charge for a long time). They often come with both 120v and 12V chargers. If you start to go with more radio on/engine off time, then consider a second battery (one starting, one DC). But base on what you're saying so far, I wouldn't rush to do that.
A Group 24 starting battery from a quality manufacturer would most likely suit you just fine. Deka or Interstate would be my choices. We put G24 Deka's in boats like yours (and have been doing so for many, many years) and our customers do quite well with them.
There's also a DP (duel purpose) battery that is a hybrid of a starting and a DC. But, personally, I haven't found them to be as good, overall. It's sort of like "cleaner-wax"... it's OK, but it can't be great at both things.
As I mentioned in my first post, though, there is really no "one best" way to do things. I'm basing my opinion on my personal experiences and the marina's experience, but others may have different opinions.
You could always carry a jumper pack, if you're concerned about drawing the battery down too far by mistake. Those newer, LiIon battery packs are about the size of a pack of cards! Just make sure you keep it charged (although they do hold a charge for a long time). They often come with both 120v and 12V chargers. If you start to go with more radio on/engine off time, then consider a second battery (one starting, one DC). But base on what you're saying so far, I wouldn't rush to do that.
trflgrl
Active Member
- Jun 23, 2014
- 982
- Boat Info
- 1989 Sundancer 300
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc/Alpha 1 Gen 1; Quicksilver 4.0 gen
A relatively low-cost and no-engineering solution to longer tune time while at anchor if you find you need it: a rechargeable water resistant bluetooth speaker. First Mate is totally into music and this has been a great answer to both on-water and land-based penchants. He has various sizes and battery times (yes, he likes music THAT MUCH) that he DJs from his smartphone. He uses carabiners to hang them wherever he designates tune central--cockpit, bow, etc.--and can tote it to neighboring boats when we're rafted. The smallest runs several hours at decent volume, and he uses an accessory outlet to run/recharge the phone as needed.
With a season or two under your belt you'll have a great feel for your habits and be able to decide about expanding your battery bank. (At which point you may have come down with foot-itis and have to get a bigger boat, which probably will come with more batteries anyway! :grin
With a season or two under your belt you'll have a great feel for your habits and be able to decide about expanding your battery bank. (At which point you may have come down with foot-itis and have to get a bigger boat, which probably will come with more batteries anyway! :grin
BillK2632
Well-Known Member
1. I would really give some thought to putting in a second battery, it's just a good think to have on a boat and a simple DIY upgrade. My 185 has two batteries and more than once I have had one go dead and without the other one would have been stuck.
2. I currently have 2 Group 24 marine starting batteries - on a typical day I will anchor somewhere and play the radio for several hours, charge cell phones etc, no problems. On the occasion where I run a battery down, switch to the other and off we go.
My typical routine is to alternate between battery 1/2 every day, at the end of the day I just switch it to the other battery so I am ready to go next time. Occasionally on a long run I will set the switch to both so both batteries get charged. I just have a simple stereo system, but if you get into any significant power draws with your systems etc I would consider a starting battery and a deep cycle.
2. I currently have 2 Group 24 marine starting batteries - on a typical day I will anchor somewhere and play the radio for several hours, charge cell phones etc, no problems. On the occasion where I run a battery down, switch to the other and off we go.
My typical routine is to alternate between battery 1/2 every day, at the end of the day I just switch it to the other battery so I am ready to go next time. Occasionally on a long run I will set the switch to both so both batteries get charged. I just have a simple stereo system, but if you get into any significant power draws with your systems etc I would consider a starting battery and a deep cycle.
Thanks everyone. I will more than likely go the two battery route after my first season and pick up a new Group 24 deep cycle. The owner is throwing in a marine booster so if I'm a little too heavy on engine off time (which I doubt given it's my first season and I'll want to be under power as much as possible) so I'll have an interim plan B.
- Apr 18, 2009
- 447
- Boat Info
- 2015 Sea Ray 270 SDX
- Engines
- 8.2 / Bravo 3
Just get a Honda Generator for the swim platform.
trflgrl
Active Member
- Jun 23, 2014
- 982
- Boat Info
- 1989 Sundancer 300
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc/Alpha 1 Gen 1; Quicksilver 4.0 gen
I guess it's still winter time in Oklahoma? :lol:
- Apr 18, 2009
- 447
- Boat Info
- 2015 Sea Ray 270 SDX
- Engines
- 8.2 / Bravo 3
Warming up, looking to launch next weekend.
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