Bad battery?

krc · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:32 pm Post subject: Bad battery?

Twin hp90 (bf90a, carb) on c-dory 25. Starboard started right up. Port - "click click click" very rapid and loud. I figure solenoid or starter. Switch the emergency "parallel" on and started right up,. Battery is old - no punch out on the battery (new to me boat), but highest year was 2014 so at least 6 years. I assume, like a car battery, 6 years is plenty long so will do that replacement first before checking if there might be a lose connection, etc...

What is a good marine battery for these engines?

thataway · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 8:54 pm Post subject:

I use Sam's club Duracell "marine" batteries. It is best practice if you replace all batteries at the same time. If they are 6 years old, and one fails, fairly likely one of the others will also.

Interstate are often seen on factory boats.

Lifeline are in the more expensive side, but long lasting

Trojan is highly respected.

On the other hand, one of the longest lived batteries I have owned came from a small battery shop in Mexico--it looked as if they 'recycled' batteries, remelted the old plates and cast new ones...so you never know.

hardee · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 10:40 pm Post subject:

What ever you use, if it is a flooded Lead acid, use a "BatteryMinder" (specific brand), charger and conditioner. I had FLA batteries for 7 years, and though still good, replaced them even though they were still at 90-95%. When the boat is stored, they go on, and do a desulfation cycle every so often to keep the life in the battery. JMNTO.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

ssobol · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 12:52 am Post subject:

Might check the water level too. I once found the water in my batteries to be unexpectedly low.

thataway · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:11 pm Post subject:

There are a number of good marine battery chargers which will prevent sulfation of battery plates by applying a high frequency pulsed DC current. There are pulse desulfators. which can be attached to the battery with a good charger in place: Example of this is PulseTech PowerPulse. (amazon has a cheaper version--I don't know if it works or not).

Noco Genius also has desulfation, Pulse Tech also has a battery charger / desulfator,