Need battery advice

**LA CrappieMaster** · 10-23-2013, 05:39 PM

My cranking battery would turnover engine after running the anchor light for about 30 minutes. It started the engine fine the three times prior to running the light, the engine was also ran for atleast 10 minutes after each start.

When I got home I put plugged in the onboard charger. After charging for about 12 hours, I unplugged the charger and checked the voltage. The trolling battery had around 13.4, while the cranking had about 12.6

I proceeded to do a few tests scenarios:
Turned on Running lights only (anchor light unplugged) battery voltage 12.4
12.3 volts at 11:34
12.24 volts at 12:39
Cutoff running lights at 12:40 voltage 12.45 at 12:45

Turn on anchor light only, voltage 12.32 at 12:46
12.27 volts at 1:06
11.23 volts at 3:36

Cut lights off , tried to crank. Turned over very slow but wouldn't start. Voltage at 10.4 after attempt.

I'm guessing I can run it to an autozone type store and have it checked? Thanks in advance for any advice.

**Rees Guide** · 10-23-2013, 05:49 PM

Gone, time for a new one. I run stuff all day long, like 7 or 8 hours and then fire up a 200hp and head in. 2 depth finders, aerator constant and a cd player most of the time.

**Redge** · 10-23-2013, 07:39 PM

Rees what group size battery do run ?

**LA CrappieMaster** · 10-23-2013, 07:52 PM

Thanks guys. Guess it's time to sort through the brands. Lol

**Rees Guide** · 10-23-2013, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Redge

Rees what group size battery do run ?

I run group 31s cranking and 12V golf cart batts for the troller.

**Rees Guide** · 10-23-2013, 08:14 PM

Batts are just as important if not more important as any tackle you have in your rig.

**Redge** · 10-24-2013, 06:00 AM

Rees I am running a group 27 for cranking, will a group 31 give me ?% more power for the day? ie any way to know how much longer a group 31 would last over a group 27, just looking for a SWAG. Thanks for your time.
Don't mean to hijack the thread, do think it is pertinent.

**CatFan** · 10-24-2013, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Redge

Rees I am running a group 27 for cranking, will a group 31 give me ?% more power for the day? ie any way to know how much longer a group 31 would last over a group 27, just looking for a SWAG. Thanks for your time.
Don't mean to hijack the thread, do think it is pertinent.

You can't know for sure without comparing RC ratings. Some 27s are as small as 160 minute RC and some 29/31 are as big as 225 minute RC. Typical 29/31 are 205 minutes RC. Battery weight is a good indicator of capacity. You can't ignore CCA though, because some newer outboards have significant cranking amp requirements.

Watch out for the Deka 31s. They rate their RC at 23A which inflates the numbers.

**Barnacle Bill** · 10-24-2013, 12:09 PM

If the battery checks good do a voltage drop test on the battery cables. What happens some times is they get corroded inside the lugs where you can't see it and will cause problems identical to what you are having. Sometimes you can see just a little corrosion at the base of them which can indicate possible problems. The voltage drop test is the Cadillac of tests for wiring.

**RCC** · 10-24-2013, 03:22 PM

The above is true. Another quick check is to try cranking then grab the cable near the lugs with your hand. If it is warm/hot. Change or make sure no loose connection.

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