Battery Recommendations for 3.0 Merc in a Chaparral 180SSi

[Denis O]

My Chaparral 180 has a 3.0 Litre Mercruiser and the battery has finally gone to the great battery graveyard in the sky, so need a replacement.

The dead battery is an 065 Numax 55amp with 540 CCA. As I'm tucked away on a Greek island battery retailers are like hens teeth but there is a Varta place. I went in and they did not recognise the 065 nomenclature so I came home and did a bit of research and found it's a Varta C11. The spec is 53 amp and 500 CCA so slightly inferior in performance to the dead 1. Not sure how much difference that would make.

My question is, would there be a better performing battery that I should use. Size isn't over critical as the battery tray has some flexibility but I wouldn't want to go way oversize. The current size is 242 x 175 x 175 mm (9.6 x 7 x 7 ins in old money)

 

[Spi D]

If for staring plus the odd minor consumer I'd get the largest one that will fit (also considering price), from a local supplier (warranty). Leisure batteries are fine as they are more forgiving to abuse.
In Varta range that could be LFS75 (75A/650 CCA) or LFS105 (105/650 CCA)

Shorepower available? For maintenanace I'd use a so called intelligent charger that will keep it at 100% and can be left on for extended periods. Else, given your location, a solar panel

 

[DougH]

Try www.barden-uk.com and look at the Odyssey range which are not only very tough and powerful but are reasonable in price and hold their charge for very, very extended periods.

Would not use any other make or type.

 

[Denis O]

Cheers chaps. Thanks for the alternatives.

Shore power is not an option but I will be looking at a solar solution for next years time in the water. Just need to get the right battery now for the next couple of weeks until the boat comes out for the winter.

Battery only used to start the engine and run the auto bilge pump; that's been needed quite a lot in Corfu this year and is probably what finally killed the current battery.

Thanks again.

 

[Spi D]

Would like to point out that what kills a battery is the number of deep discharge cycles. A starting battery lives it life close to 100% charged as the few seconds of high power output to start you engine, really doesn't take a lot of it.

Long time low consumption really can drag it down and your alternator won't be able to charge it to 100% regardless of how long you run. It will reach the voltage threshold, hence cut off the charge before reaching full capacity.

A well designed solar setup might be your best solution for supporting it.

 

[ontheplane]

Actually if you are on Corfu, there are a few retailers for Batteries.

One is if you come out from the airport, you get to the traffic lights and a car tyre place on the corner (will be on your left with airport behind you. Go straight on at the lights, rather than left or right, and a short way up on the left there is a decent motor-factors.

Also the tyre place does them. We also got a decent one at a good price from the Fiat dealer!

Where are you based?

Also, if you wanted someone based UK, I could get you a solar charger from Maplin and post it to you??

 

[Denis O]

Varta LFS60 purchased and fitted to the boat this morning. Fired up like a champion so very pleased. €115 so not too bad for rip off Corfu although it would probably have been about £50 in the UK.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and especially to ontheplane for offering to procure and post a solar jobby. That's really generous of you and just shows how there are some really top guys around on forums. I shall not need to take advantage of your kindness as I will be heading back to our UK home at some point before next season starts so will buy a panel from Maplins/Ebay and bring it down here before the boat goes back in the water next April.