Batteries

[EASLOOP]

I need to buy a 100 AHC battery to start my BUHK 10HP DVE10. I have been told that a Varta car battery will do the job (starting only). Does anybody have a view on this. I would be really interested to know so I can make a decision.
John

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[extravert]

A 100 Ah car battery will easily start a DV10. However, they like to be fully charged all the time, so are generally not used on boats where the battery discharges while sailing.

If you want to use the battery for other uses other than just engine starting you will be better off with a leisure battery. These give out less maximum amps but cope better with being discharged.

My previous boat had a DV10, and was started easily by a single 80Ah leisure battery.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[Talbot]

I am surprised that they quoted an amp/hr rating for engine start. Normally this would be a CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) requirement. The car battery is designed to push out high CCA, but not to do deep cycle so are best at engine starts but not for running equipment. The leisure batteries are designed primarily to do the deep cycle style of discharge, and thus a high CCA will damage the plates over time, and thus reduce the life of the battery. Most people would have a car battery style for engine start and multiples of leisure batteries to run the domestics.

If you really need to combine the two, there is a type of battery that is suitable for both applications, it uses carbon fibre to reinforce the plates. They are made by <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.elecsol.com/html/products.html>Elecsol</A>

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