Dedicated engine battery - what to buy?

[BlueSkyNick]

Planning to install additional battery for engine start only, instead of using leisure batteries on 1-2-Both switch.

Assuming a car battery, any suggestions or preferences?

Its going on a Beta 35.

 

[VicMallows]

I used the same type of battery as my car - so they can be swapped easily if the need arises Have found the ebay suppliers hard to beat (including carriage) with the convenience of delivery to the door.

Vic

 

[sailorman]

Planning to install additional battery for engine start only, instead of using leisure batteries on 1-2-Both switch.

Assuming a car battery, any suggestions or preferences?

Its going on a Beta 35.

i have 4 x 115 Ah leisure one for the engine 3 domestics.
37.5 hp 4 cylinder Nanni.
this has served me well for the past 14 yrs
the present bank came from Battery Megastore

 

[Pinnacle]

I would go for a 12 volt one...............

Ok, I'll get me coat....

 

[MoodySabre]

I had to buy a new starting battery - previously I had a 110AH but the new one is 76AH but with higher CCA. It kicks much better. The higher the CCA the better - 550 or more. The problem is that the CCA value is often not shown.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I would go for a 12 volt one...............

Ok, I'll get me coat....

You on acid or summat ?

 

[RichardTaylor]

Might be worth speaking to Barden Batteries?

Based near J9 on the M27 (Segensworth - Fareham)

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Might be worth speaking to Barden Batteries?

Based near J9 on the M27 (Segensworth - Fareham)

They are excellent for domestic batteries, (unlike Battery Megastore who were aweful), but their vehicle batteries are relatively expensive.

 

[VicS]

Planning to install additional battery for engine start only, instead of using leisure batteries on 1-2-Both switch.

Assuming a car battery, any suggestions or preferences?

Its going on a Beta 35.

The owners manual suggests 65 to 75 Ah capacity with a CCA rating of 450 to 540 amps

Suggested Minimum Engine Starter Battery Size

Beta 10, Beta 14, Beta 16, Beta 20: ........ 35 - 50 Ah, 350 - 400 CCA

Beta 25, Beta 28, Beta 30, Beta 35, Beta 38, Beta 43: ..... 65 - 75 Ah, 450 - 540 CCA

Beta 50, Beta 60: ............ 100 - 120 Ah, 580 - 670 CCA

Beta 75, Beta 90: ............ 150 - 180 Ah, 1050 - 1200 CCA​

A car battery of your choice that satisfies those requirements .

 

[tarik]

Battery CCA

I had to buy a new starting battery - previously I had a 110AH but the new one is 76AH but with higher CCA. It kicks much better. The higher the CCA the better - 550 or more. The problem is that the CCA value is often not shown.

I am in the market for a new battery, could you please tell me what is the CCA all about ??

many thanks

David

 

[Hoolie]

I am in the market for a new battery, could you please tell me what is the CCA all about ??

many thanks

David

Cold Cranking Amps = Oomph to kick the starter motor

 

[VicS]

I am in the market for a new battery, could you please tell me what is the CCA all about ??

many thanks

David

As said it is an indication of the current that the battery can supply. For a starter battery it is far more relevant than the Amp hours capacity.

BUT there are two systems which can get muddled up.

CCA is measured at a low temperature ( 0° F ) and is the system for automotive use.

MCA is the system which may be used for marine batteries. MCA ratings are measured at 32°F / 0°C

 

[rafiki_]

They are excellent for domestic batteries, (unlike Battery Megastore who were aweful), but their vehicle batteries are relatively expensive.

I have only good experiences with Battery Megastore, as have several others at our Marina.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I've only had one experience of BM and it was truly awful - discussed at length on here about 3 years ago so wont go into the detail - so every time somebody says how wonderful they are, I feel obliged to bring some balance to the discussion.

 

[Dipper]

I bought a Lucas 12v Sealed Heavy Duty 85AH Leisure Battery from Alpha Batteries earlier this year. It is listed as 700 CCA (cold marine engine cranking) and was (still is) £73 inc VAT and free next day delivery.

 

[VicS]

I bought a Lucas 12v Sealed Heavy Duty 85AH Leisure Battery from Alpha Batteries earlier this year. It is listed as 700 CCA (cold marine engine cranking) and was (still is) £73 inc VAT and free next day delivery.

Link does not work. I guess you mean this one .... click the picture.

​

I note that it's 700 marine cranking amps (MCA). That would be about 525 cold cranking amps (CCA).

I'll be buying a new leisure battery next year ( a bit smaller than that one) So far Tayna batteries look the most competitive for what I want.

.

 

[Pinnacle]

You on acid or summat ?

Sorry...........I just couldn't resist!

 

[Dipper]

Link does not work. I guess you mean this one .... click the picture..

Link now working. Thanks Vic.

 

[CaptainBob]

I've bought a number of batteries from Alpha Batteries and all have been great.

For engine start, as others have said, it's mostly about the CCA, not the Ah. Low Ah also means it will charge back up quicker once the engine is started - but obviously having some spare Ah for the time it doesn't want to start, or as backup leisure use, is handy.

Because it was going to get heavy current draw on it every time I used it, and therefore probably need replacing relatively regularly (or so I thought), I went for something as cheap as possible with high CCA and acceptable Ah according to my engine manual (beta marine). It has been absolutely fine. Bought it ~3 years ago. Used it a LOT (live aboard, cruising in UK, mostly without permanent berth). And it's still absolutely fine. Was not a lot more than £50 delivered IIRC.

 

[Tranona]

If you have the space, then any battery for a small diesel car will do the job. I have a Bosch starting my Volvo 2030. However, if you are short of space - for example if you want to fit as big a house bank as possible then consider a starter battery such as a Red Flash. About one third the size of a lead acid with the same cranking capacity, but can be mounted in any orientation. More expensive inevitably but potentially longer lived.