Interstate Cranking Batteries??

[desperado]

I had my dealer replace by batteries in my 280DA. I noticed where they put it three marine Interstate Cranking Batteries. I do have a generator. All three say "marine interstate cranking battery". I am guessing one is just for the generator?

Does this sound like they installed the correct batteries. I hear a lot of talk about "deep cycle" and just getting some expert advice from the forum. I have twin engines with a generator, so does this sound right? I know the engines need cranking batteries, but just checking.

How would this combo work for overnight stays where I am just using the batteries and not the generator? Obviously I am speaking where I am just running anchor lights and light accessories, not AC/heat or Microwave/fridge, etc... I know I would fire up my generator for that.

Thanks!!

JL

 

[dpvandy01]

I'll be watching this thread since I was going to post soon on very close to the same topic. My 280 has 2 cranking, no deep cycle, no gen, 1 engine. My plan is to remove one of the cranking and replace it with two deep cycles (27's) run in series back to the isolator switch so I have the cranking on the A bank (for starting) and the deep cycles on the B...(for afternoons on the hook with the tunes and such)

 

[Nehalennia]

I have 2 deep cycle Intersate 27 Deep Cycle Marine batts. I'd like to add one, if not two for the house side. I have a new charger ProNautic 1240 to install and do not have a generator. The other option is to get 1 starting batt, then keep the current 27's on the house side. I am also considering adding the Blue Sea Automatic Charging Relay

 

[gerryb]

desperado, your dealer basically gave you the stock OEM battery package. They are relatively low cost batteries and don't last too much longer than 3 years. (Why did you have to replace batteries on an '06 boat btw?) I am replacing the original battery set on my '04 next month and will most likely go with dual purpose marine batteries for a bit more bias toward dc accessory usage. Lots of people on this board like the higher-end AGM or OPTIMA series... I am leaning against those as the cost is at least 2x that of a good quality 'normal' marine battery.

To your question.. Your new batteries will be fine for basic power on overnight stays for years 1 and maybe year 2, assuming minimal discharge and a good recharge shortly thereafter, but anything after that is a bonus.

 

[desperado]

desperado, your dealer basically gave you the stock OEM battery package. They are relatively low cost batteries and don't last too much longer than 3 years. (Why did you have to replace batteries on an '06 boat btw?) .

original quote snipped for brevity


Thanks for your answer. The boat was well cared for and I bought it a few months ago from an owner in MD. I know you are up north, but I am in GA. The boat was exposed to more drastic temp changes. Matter of fact, it was 0 degrees when my transporter picked it up in MD early feb. The owner did a full charge on the batteries before it left MD and turned the battery switches off for delivery. When I took delivery two of the batteries had discharged fully. This was only a time period of around 36 hrs.

I could have invested more time and tried a recharge, but I was leaving on a vacation the next day and the batteries were dated 2005. I'm not one to throw money away (well I'm back into boating so that could be debated , but the boat is in pristine condition except for this one aspect. Could the batteries have been fine, possibly, but I opted to replace all three for my peace of mind and to get on with my vacation in which I had a flight early the next morning. The boat had only 58 hrs on it, so good chance I could have done more investigating on the batteries, but time was closing in. I decided to just start my boating experience on this boat with a fresh set of batteries.

Thanks for your input on what I can expect out of the batteries for weekend trips etc.

JL

 

[ditto]

I just had the same cranking batteries installed in my 08 290. I had reqeusted a 4th battery for overnights.. (we use a lot of juice!!) i asked for all dual purpose batteries but my dealer pointed out that merc requries 1000 MCA/800 CCA for my 5.0s.( he is right i checked the OM) I have not been able find dual purpose with that cranking power..

 

[Nehalennia]

yes the cranking ones, can't really be pulled down too far and then recover with a good charge, hence the reason for the deep cylces on the house side

 

[garryowen]

I just had the same cranking batteries installed in my 08 290. I had reqeusted a 4th battery for overnights.. (we use a lot of juice!!) i asked for all dual purpose batteries but my dealer pointed out that merc requries 1000 MCA/800 CCA for my 5.0s.( he is right i checked the OM) I have not been able find dual purpose with that cranking power..

i wouldnt think your going to use it below 32 degrees so i wonder if the d31m would work?

http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/

 

[J Levine]

My boat has 4 batteries, two for the Port motor and the house, one for only the starboard and one for the generator. I had 4 deep cycles group 27's but found two of them dead this spring. I am going to put the two remainind deep cycles on the port side and use starting batteries on the stbd motor and the generator. I just picked up two Exide 1000 MCA's Group 24's at boaters world for about $50 each after a $10 mail in rebate on each and a $25 mail in Boaters world gift card on each. Batteries have a 1 year full warranty, 2 years prorated. For $50 each you cant go wrong even if you only get 2 seasons out of them.

 

[desperado]

For $50 each you cant go wrong even if you only get 2 seasons out of them.

Anything marine that costs $50 and would last two season, I would probably buy. Even if it was something I couldn't even figure out what it was:smt001

 

[J Levine]

I know others here will beg to differ but after 15 years and 3 boats and a lot of batteries I have come to the conclusion that you can buy expensive batteries, try to really take care of them and water them with distilled water ect and you get about 4 or 5 seasons. Or you can buy the cheapest batteries you can find, totally ignore them, maybe water them with a garden hose if you feel like it and get about 3 or 4 seasons. For my .02, I go cheap. I must say though this deal at Boatersworld right now is hard to beat. All kidding aside, you do need deep cycles for your house power if you intend to get much time on the hook at all, especially if you are running a fridge or in my case two of them, one in the galley and one in the cockpit.