Marine Battery?

[robertwhite]

Need to replace the original battery (group 24) in my Bobcat CT335. Had to actually charge it last night before it would start (30*) Battery is about 3.5 yrs old. Tiny bit of corrosion on the post.

When I look at Advance Auto site they show a "marine" battery, which supposedly is vibration resistant and sealed. It sells for $80 and is 700CCA.

Anyone use this type before? (I don't want to spend $160 for an Optima)

(cross posted on Bobcat forum as need to get this in a hurry)

 

[mguitas]

Sounds like your talking about a a deep cycle battery. don't think you should be using a deep cycle, should use a starting battery. There is a difference.

 

[robertwhite]

Sounds like your talking about a a deep cycle battery. don't think you should be using a deep cycle, should use a starting battery. There is a difference.

Nope, not a deep cycle. It is marine rated as it is supposed to protect from the boat constantly bouncing around.

M24-3 Autocraft Marine 12V Marine/RV Starting Maintenance-Free Battery

 

[ultrarunner]

Nope, not a deep cycle. It is marine rated as it is supposed to protect from the boat constantly bouncing around.

M24-3 Autocraft Marine 12V Marine/RV Starting Maintenance-Free Battery

Some boats take an incredible pounding and the internal structure of marine batteries takes this into account.

I couldn't hurt to go Marine Starting.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Group 24 seems awful small. My Jinma 284 has a group 31 in it.

In the marine industry we only use group 24 batteries for small outboards and onboard generators.

All inboard engines get group 27 or 29 batteries.

Seems small to me.

Chris

 

[doxford jim]

Go with the group 31 batteries. These are truck batteries and usually are paired for reserve capacity for the large diesel engines. I put two new group 31 batteries in my F250 (with some small modifications) and have never looked back. Check with some of the truck dealers (International etc) as they often on sale for around $85 or so and have I believe, 1100 CCA.

Jim

 

[robertwhite]

Group 24 seems awful small.

Go with the group 31 batteries. These are truck batteries and usually are paired for reserve capacity for the large diesel engines.

I have to check the sizes. The Group 24 is what came OEM. If there is no battery tray/box, I will go bigger.

Thanks

ETA: Nope, the Group 31 won't fit. The battery sits in a box right under the air filter. I did however misquote the specs on the Group 24 Maine/RV. It has 800CCA and 1000CA. I would bet the OEM has only 600-650CCA, so this one should be a lot better. Plus it is 4 years old according to the date tag.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have to check the sizes. The Group 24 is what came OEM. If there is no battery tray/box, I will go bigger.

Thanks

ETA: Nope, the Group 31 won't fit. The battery sits in a box right under the air filter. I did however misquote the specs on the Group 24 Maine/RV. It has 800CCA and 1000CA. I would bet the OEM has only 600-650CCA, so this one should be a lot better. Plus it is 4 years old according to the date tag.

Robert,

If the marine battery does not have a cranking amps rating close to or equal to a automotive type it will not last long in a tractor where the primary use is starting. Most marine batteries are made for long draw down capablity not for high amp starting loads.

Ron

 

[jenkinsph]

Nothing wrong with using a marine starting battery, just make sure you have a high enough cold cranking amp rating. I say this because some are rated in marine cranking amps (MCA) which is their rating at 32F while CCA is rated at 0 F.

I use two types of starting batteries for most of my vehicles, the important stuff gets DieHard Platinum and the rest get WalMart Everstart Maxx 72 month.

 

[MagicRat]

As I understand it, a marine starter battery is a hybrid of the starting capacity of a typical starter battery and the long-life and durability of a true deep-cycle battery.

I have one in my tractor - its about 13 years old now and has been very reliable. It's a group 31, and does not have quite the CCA of a starter battery of the same size, but its more than enough for my 4 cyl gasser. It's lasted twice as long as a starter battery, imo due to the robust construction of the plates.

I think a marine battery is an excellent choice so long as the CCA is sufficient.

 

[robertwhite]

The Group 24 (only one that fits) battery is 800CCA & 1000CA, which I am quite sure is way more than the OEM (Ingersall Rand) one.

From all the reading I did, there are 2 types of "marine" batteries. Deep cycle and "hard use starting". The starting versions are labeled Marine/RV starting and are built to absorb the punishment a boat gives when bouncing over waves, etc., which is basically what a tractor is doing, except in a field.

I installed it and the tractor started up in 20* WAY faster than the OEM one ever did. In any event, with a 2yr warranty, if it doesn't work out, I bring it back and get a different one.

 

[Coyote machine]

Marine batteries are either starting batteries with high cranking amps or deep cycle which as the name implies, allow the battery to go from fully charged to nearly empty and then back to fully charged many times during their life.
Deep cycles are used for tasks like live-wells and trolling motors, which need high amps and are heavy loads on the battery(s) being used.
My Mako used to have 2 of each and I eliminated the two deep cycle because I no longer have the trolling motor, and I rarely use the live-well for long periods of time.
I now use two marine starting batteries made by Interstate, and they do the job of supplying the massive amount of cranking amps necessary to start my 200HP DI (direct injection) Mercury outboard. Less than 11.8 volts, ( as I recall), and the engine computer rejects attempts to start, to protect itself.

One other note: unless the buyer or seller punches out the date code on the battery label, which shows date purchased, NOT date manufactured, it is not possible to know when the battery was actually manufactured UNLESS one has the 'code breaker' to read the stamped into the case code put there by mfg. at time of build.

 

[Airedale]

I have a deep cycle marine battery I use in my dump trailer for running the lift motor, I will put the charger on it a couple of times during the summer. In the winter I put it in a 90 Chevy Suburban that for many years I used for snow plowing. It will start the Chevy in below zero weather easily.

Al

 

[Mark Page]

I used to have to replace the batteries in my go-fast boat almost every year. The pounding and vibration causes the surface of the plates to sluff off, fall to the bottom and short the battery out.
Back in those days there weren't Optimas or marine starting batteries.

 

[xtn]

Understand you don't want to pay double for an Optima. But I've found the yellow tops to be worth it. They are a frigging great unit, with deep cycle and starting capability, as well as vibration and temperature tolerance. If you did decide to spend the money you wouldn't go wrong with one.

 

[robertwhite]

Understand you don't want to pay double for an Optima. But I've found the yellow tops to be worth it. They are a frigging great unit, with deep cycle and starting capability, as well as vibration and temperature tolerance. If you did decide to spend the money you wouldn't go wrong with one.

I understand the Optima Yellow top is "The" battery to have, but I look at it like this. The battery is in my tractor which gets used 2-4 times a week. I have no doubt it will last 4-5 yrs. At that time, I will chuck it and buy a new one. The Optima may last 5-7 years, but at the back end of that time, it will in no way be like a new battery.

"6 of one, half a dozen of the other"

 

[xtn]

Knowledge is knowing that tomatoes are a fruit. Wisdom is knowing you don't put them in a fruit salad. Your assessment is a wise one.

 

[rsewill]

Some of us have had acid spilling from our batteries which was rotting our radiators so we went yellow top.

 

[milkman636]

Just bumping this thread to see how the marine battery is holding out. My CT335 battery died today, and I am thinking about follwing the OP down the marine starting battery route. Any feedback out there?

 

[jenkinsph]

I prefer the Odyssey or Die Hard platimum they build for Sears, use to use the Optimas' in my boat but too many failures with them. Since changing over to the Odysseys' the reserve capacity is much better than the OPtimas. For vehicles which are started and used frequently I get a full six years out of the Walmart Everstart Maxx for a lot less cost. The tractors all get the agm batteries DieHard because of vibration. I am getting ready to replace the Deere battery in my 4520 next week and hope I can find a DieHard or Odyssey that fits.