Help with new battery?

Mikester311 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:27 pm **Posts:** 3

I have been having a really hard time finding the correct battery for my boat. There doesn't seem to be any reference or database out there that I can find? Anyway, I have a 2003 Four Winns Horizon 180 with a VP 4.3GL I/O engine. Current I have a Everstart 24dp-4 Deep Cycle, but it's starting to die and Wal-Mart doesn't sell that battery anymore. Plus, I have been reading that a Deep Cycle is not good for starting, but more of an accessory battery? My local Wal-Mart carries a EverStart 24MS-6, but I wasn't sure if it was compatible?

I appreciate any help leading me in the right direction!

Rhryniewich · **Joined:** Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:13 pm **Posts:** 15

Personally I like interstate batteries. Go to like bass pro or a dealer have them look it up for you. Shop around

remi_357 · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 10:27 pm **Posts:** 45

the 24 is the group size. All group 24 batteries are the same in physical size. As long as there is a 24 in there some where it will fit in your battery tray and work just fine. When it comes to the deep cycle, starting battery debate, im not getting involved with that one, there is enough reading on the net to give your self a head ache real quick. Me personaly I use dual deep cycle batteries in my 2001 190 with zero problems. Funny thing they are both the EverStart 24MS-6 you are asking about. I like them.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:02 am

I know on some Volvos that have fuel injection you are not supposed to use a deep cycle because sometimes the cranking voltage may drop low enough that the EFI does not operate well enough to start it. As far as the differences, starting batts have the most cranking amps but if you discharge them too many time they won't come back. Deep cycles can be discharged multiple times and are good for running things when the engine is off, but they don't have as much cranking amps as starting batts. However, if it is big enough (like you might have to upsize from a 24 to a 27) they can be used as starting batts esp for boats that do not have EFI
Dual purpose batts are a cross between the 2, they have more cranking amps than the deep cycle and withstand discharges better than the starting batts. I have had all 3 kinds, now I have 2 dual purpose gp 27s and they have worked out the best of the 3 types as far as longevity.

Walt · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:19 am

Read this related thread.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:56 am

Anything will work, but if you listen to the radio a bunch with the engine off I'd get something at least 70 amp hour

Mikester311 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:27 pm **Posts:** 3

Thanks for all the advice/information from everyone. I ended up calling Four Winns this morning to see what they recommend and the tech told me the Horizon 180 calls for an Interstate SRM-24 Deep Cycle battery, but when I called a local Four Winns dealer, they told me they use Interstate 24m-xHd cranking batteries and not to use the deep cycle. It’s all pretty confusing…. The Wal-Mart close to me sells the Everstart MAXX-24DC Deep Cycle that looks pretty good and Advanced Auto Parts has a few compatible AutoCraft Deep Cycle or Starting batteries on sale to choose from.
Since, I get conflicting info, my question still remains, do I get a deep cycle or regular starting battery? Or should I stick with a higher end deep cycle with more Cold Cranking amps? Does anyone have any experience with any of these batteries?

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:26 pm

It really depends more on what Volvo recommends than the FW dealer because they are the one that built the power package. If you have an FI engine, then I would not use a deep cycle because Volvo has recommended that you don't in some of their past literature, for the reason I noted above. If you have a carb engine it would probably be fine. Personally I'd go for the dual purpose battery, especially if you have only one battery. It will have enough cranking amps but will tolerate discharges better than a starting battery. True deep cycles are not really intended as starting batteries but if they have enough amps (you usually have to up-size to the next group size from standard) they can work as a cranking battery.
I used all 3:
1) cranking batts, OK but one deep discharge and they are done
2) deep cycle, OK if you go up in size but they did not crank as fast at the cranking batt
3) dual purpose, cranks better than deep cycle and tolerates being discharged better.

to make it simple get a Deka Marine dual purpose battery, they are very good and not badly priced either.

and also get rid of the stupid wingnuts if you have them, use a self locking nut because the wingnuts get loose and then the batt does not charge adequately and the next thing you know you have to get a new one. I got rid of the wingnuts years ago and bolted automotive style cable clamps on my cable terminals. Much better.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:41 pm

You could use a motorcycle battery if it had enough CCA.

What are your requirements for engine off power? What aftermarket accessories and radio system do you have that are used when the engine isn't running?

That's how you choose a battery for a single battery boat. Anything you buy at walmart will start it and last 5 years, but some will go dead in 1hr of playing the radio engine off, and some will last days.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:41 pm

The dual purpose batt will help with running the radio or whatever with the engine off.
The best set up for a small boat is 2 dual purpose batts, preferably gp 27 size and a switch or the combiner. That way you'll be much less likely to get stuck one day.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:22 pm

LouC wrote:

The dual purpose batt will help with running the radio or whatever with the engine off.
The best set up for a small boat is 2 dual purpose batts, preferably gp 27 size and a switch or the combiner. That way you'll be much less likely to get stuck one day.

Plus a AGM will give you the best of both worlds!!

Borchik · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:28 am

If you want what came with the boat go with the SRM-24 interstate, ALL interstate batteries labeled as Deep Cycle are now Dual Purpose batteries even though they are labeled Deep Cycle, they decided to leave the name that way because so many people associate that with a "marine" battery. This will allow for decent starting and keeping the radio on without the battery going dead in a half hour time.

If you want what I would recommend I would go with a Deka 24M-XHD. They are awesome batteries, far better than Wal Mart batteries, hold great charge, fantastic starting capacity and as long as you do not store them dead I have seen some that last 10 years.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:16 am

Borchik wrote:

If you want what came with the boat go with the SRM-24 interstate, ALL interstate batteries labeled as Deep Cycle are now Dual Purpose batteries even though they are labeled Deep Cycle, they decided to leave the name that way because so many people associate that with a "marine" battery. This will allow for decent starting and keeping the radio on without the battery going dead in a half hour time.

If you want what I would recommend I would go with a Deka 24M-XHD. They are awesome batteries, far better than Wal Mart batteries, hold great charge, fantastic starting capacity and as long as you do not store them dead I have seen some that last 10 years.

There is a Deka distributor 30 minutes from my house. I love that place!!! Everything I own has one of their batteries and they sell rebuilds for 1/2 the price with warranty. They actually will flat out tell you that a rebuilt one is better then new because it's hand built and tested.

Mikester311 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:27 pm **Posts:** 3

Thanks for all the feedback!! I ended up picking up a Everstart 24dc from walmart for $68. I spoke with Everstart and they told me that this is the replacement battery for the 24dp-4 that I currently have and it's a dual purpose even though it's labeled as deep cycle. I guess time will tell how it works out. Thanks again for all the advise!

www.iFourWinns.com

Help with new battery?

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