Time to replace batteries. advise needed!

[samander]

Good day,

I am looking into replacing my battery setup in my 16’ lifetimer. There is currently a Trojan 27 TMX flooded deep cycle dated from 2018 in there. Motor is a Yamaha f50. Wondering what you have all done for your battery configurations. I only have about 13”x 16” in the Center console for battery storage. I run two down riggers, radio, and a USB outlet if needed. Both kicker and main have charging capabilities.

Do you run a single deep cycle in this scenario with a stored cranking battery just in case? Or go all out with a dual battery setup. All ideas welcome! Cheers.

 

[N2013]

I fish off 1 battery in my 185 Double Eagle. 27 group Deep Cycle. Running a few more accessories mind you. At most I’m 2 wipers, 2-7” screens, radio, usb charger, couple riggers, bilge pump, lights. My back up is a portable battery pack that I can jump the battery. I’ve had to do it once after I left my interior light on during the offseason. Worked fine. I think you’d be fine with 1 battery for that size boat but it’s worth having a back up battery pack incase.

 

[samander]

Great call with the portable battery pack. They are pretty good now I hear. Any issues starting with a deep cycle vs a cranking battery?

 

[N2013]

Nope. I start a 115 Yamaha, no issue. My usual morning routine is to warm up my kicker first while I’m getting the boat ready, then do my main so if I did ever leave the battery on, I feel a kicker probably requires less juice than a 115 to turn over. Ideally, 2 batteries would be best but when I got the boat, it just had one battery, no trim tabs, and didn’t want to mess with things. Now with tabs, I do have a bit more fuel aft with up to 6 gallons in portable tanks, so another 50lbs at the stern. Perhaps one day I’ll add a house battery. I look after my stuff and just bought a new battery because I felt it was time. Figure 3-4 seasons on a battery is enough so I’m okay buying a new one every so often.

 

[Aquaholic]

AGM 31 series plus Noco GB40 battery pack as a back up. Center console with a 115 plus a 9.9 with no charging hook up. I have trolled for 8 hours including two downriggers, vhf, Garmin device, with no discharge level of concern.

 

[kaelc]

Agreed the simplest is to get a good dual purpose AGM single and a backup jump starter battery (good for the truck and car too). AGM can be drawn down more than regular and still have enough starting voltage from my understanding. If you have 800-1200$ to drop there are starting lithiums out there.

 

[Max123]

Highly recommend an AGM. I went with Costco / Energizer - good battery, great warranty.

The higher voltage from an AGM helps with starting, even if the battery is a bit more drained down. I also keep a jumper battery pack with me as my backup. I switched from a dual deep cycle to a single AGM and wouldn't go back. Dual battery setup is overkill for most small boats - just adds weight, complexity and additional maintenance/cost.

I've said it a ton of times on this forum - the jumper pack is way better piece of mind. Its an independent failsafe that's separate from your boat. Even basic jumper packs can start a V8. The biggest benefit is that they are portable, and I've often found myself in the position of helping out others who are stuck at the ramp with a dead battery.

 

[Whole in the Water]

I got tired of dead batteries and batteries prematurely dying on me so a got a NOCO 2 bank onboard charger that I plug in when stored beside my house. I also have a Blue Seas NCR switch between the two batteries and I got a NOCO GB50 1500A lithium jump starter just in case. When I replace my current batteries (Group 27 deep cycle and the other a starting battery) I will go AGM for both. So far so good!

 

[Olde School]

If your kicker is pull start capable, you can skip the 2nd battery idea.

 

[zurk]

one of these - https://ca.renogy.com/pro-12v-200ah-smart-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery-w-bluetooth-self-heating/
will start your engine and run your electronics no problem.
add an APD - https://sterling-power.com/products/alternator-open-circuit-protection-device and a fuse - https://www.bluesea.com/products/5129/ANL_Fuse_-_200_Amp for safety.

 

[kaelc]

I'm not an expert, but you should likely be looking for a battery that has the right MCA and CCA listed for your engine, which will be in your manual. I didn't think there were many starting-specific lifep04 batteries. I know Dakota, Wieze, Litime, AB Lithium, RELiON Battery, CMPower, Ionic Lithium make starting batteries that are Lifep04. Only a few are available in Canada, this is one might be ok for your boat but once again. consult an expert https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2656229&u=4055731&m=124117&urllink=&afftrack= #ad

 

[Aquaholic]

I'm not an expert, but you should likely be looking for a battery that has the right MCA and CCA listed for your engine, which will be in your manual. I didn't think there were many starting-specific lifep04 batteries. I know Dakota, Wieze, Litime, AB Lithium, RELiON Battery, CMPower, Ionic Lithium make starting batteries that are Lifep04. Only a few are available in Canada, this is one might be ok for your boat but once again. consult an expert https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2656229&u=4055731&m=124117&urllink=&afftrack= #ad

31 AGM’s seem to most often fit the required cranking amps for both if a consumer matches what the specs call for.

For marine cranking amps, multiply cca x 1.25

 

[samander]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Will be purchasing a jump starter and going with a AGM 27 (max size i can fit) that will work with MCA rating of motor.

 

[Aquaholic]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Will be purchasing a jump starter and going with a AGM 27 (max size i can fit) that will work with MCA rating of motor.

Understood. I had to re-do my battery tray to fit the 31, but the battery life when trolling makes it stress free.