Battery Question - MCA, Ahr, RC...

[Biffitis]

It's time to put a new battery in my '97 Challenger single 787. I looked, but can't find any spec's for the battery I should be buying. Anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of spec's I should be looking for in a Marine battery? How many Marine Crank amps, how much Reserve Capacity etc...
The boat never spends any more than a weekend in the water unattended so I don't need something with a really high r/c rating for the bilge pump. I'm sure just the factory specs would work fine.

 

[Guest_User]

I`m sure this will be subjective to opinion:
here is mine.
as with any watercraft I really don`t care for any liquid type regular battery that`s vented. That being said, I would run a sealed or an AGM type battery...
Following your thoughts on factory spec, Batteries have come a long way...
Interstate has decent Marine batteries, I`m pretty sure ours had a group 24 550CCA when we bought the boat last year. I soon replaced that with a AGM battery, a Sears Diehard Platinum PM2. I did not want any liquid vented battery in the closed quarters of the engine bay.
I also run the PM1 in the Truck... They are made by Odyssey.

I suggest you find what group size came with or fits dimensionally and go from there. In your case I wouldn`t go any lower than 550CCA. and be sure of the correct Post/studs configuration.

The main reason I convey all this is bc you get what you pay for, and being on the water you really need a quality battery for those just in case moments, cranking, bilge pump, no starts, radio`s etc, etc

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_estore/content/product_info/marine_f.asp

http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinum-marine-battery-group-size-34m-price/p-02850134000P

 

[Bill B]

Hi
I have shop manual for 1996 specs are in section 12 in technical data. Exide RV24-130. 12v 25 A.H or RV 24 -160 size 11 1/4 by long 7 1/4 wide 9 3/8 high

 

[Dr Honda]

It's a give and take on "Wet" and "AGM" batteries.

I use AGM batteries on my motorcycles, and off road stuff. BUT... I have to admit... I have "Wet" batteries in all my water toys... OTHER than my stand-up ski.

The nice thing with a wet battery is that they are cheap. I catch the Die-Hard 16CLB on sale for normally less than $50. (for the skis) I can get 3 years off of them without an issue. And... as long as you hook up the vent hose... acid isnt' a prob. With that said... if I was riding my XP more agressivaly... I would put in an AGM.


In your Challenger... it should use an Group 24MS battery. The MS is "Marine Starting" battery. You don't want a deepcycle for starting, since they won't give you the "Umph" needed during start up. They do make a "Combo" battery now... and they are good. It's basically a starting battery that can take a deep discharge once in a while. But... if you only have one battery... it's a moot point, since a deep discharge means you will be dead in the water.


For the other guys reading this... the larger boats need a Group 27ms.


FYI... the last 24MS I bought was $59, and the 27MS was $90 on sale. I normally only run Die-hard batteries, and the powersports batteries always go on sale in the spring.



With the above said... I love AGM batteries... but they are generally 2X the price. (and i'm cheap. lol)

 

[Biffitis]

This is the feedback I was looking for. I am familiar with the different types of battery construction, but needed to know where to start. And now, I know.

Thanks guys!

 

[Guest_User]

It's a give and take on "Wet" and "AGM" batteries.

I use AGM batteries on my motorcycles, and off road stuff. BUT... I have to admit... I have "Wet" batteries in all my water toys... OTHER than my stand-up ski.

The nice thing with a wet battery is that they are cheap. I catch the Die-Hard 16CLB on sale for normally less than $50. (for the skis) I can get 3 years off of them without an issue. And... as long as you hook up the vent hose... acid isnt' a prob. With that said... if I was riding my XP more agressivaly... I would put in an AGM.


In your Challenger... it should use an Group 24MS battery. The MS is "Marine Starting" battery. You don't want a deepcycle for starting, since they won't give you the "Umph" needed during start up. They do make a "Combo" battery now... and they are good. It's basically a starting battery that can take a deep discharge once in a while. But... if you only have one battery... it's a moot point, since a deep discharge means you will be dead in the water.


For the other guys reading this... the larger boats need a Group 27ms.


FYI... the last 24MS I bought was $59, and the 27MS was $90 on sale. I normally only run Die-hard batteries, and the powersports batteries always go on sale in the spring.



With the above said... I love AGM batteries... but they are generally 2X the price.

agreed!:cheers:

I love AGM batteries! The price can be a lot lower when you get them on sale, just have to watch.
Another forum (FJ) I`m on, reports the sale then many storm Sears for the battery!:lol:
personally I ran Deka AGM in the ski`s, and Oddy in the seapoo ski, and DieHard Platinum PM2 in the boat, it is 880 and has plenty of umpfff to spin over both 787`s way better than the 550 Interstate...
so for me the peace of mind out weighs the cost, even tho I saved a bunch buying on sale...

 

[psuter77]

I have 1999 Seadoo Challenger with twin 787's what battery would you recommend for that? I'm asking because it was a winter purchase and it doesn't have a battery in it now. I need to get one to find out what is going on with it prior to the start of nice weather.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Patrick.