Hey guys, currently decided to purchase a new cranking battery to run my lowrance units and engine off of. I decided i want it to definitely be an AGM battery, and i know it needs to be high cca but i don't know which brands are good. Looking for stuff under $500. Thanks!

Sears Diehard PM-1 size 31M

Sears Diehard PM-1 size 31M

X2

X3 I have one and it is exactly what I needed to keep 2 hds units and aerator going and start my Optimax without the voltage drop.

Sears Diehard PM-1 size 31M

do you think i can run 2 lowrance units and have plenty of cca to power the engine?

Make sure you set your Lowrance units to show the battery voltage.  Note what the units show for voltage when the battery is fully charged.  Then you can easily monitor any voltage drop during the day, and run the motor to get the battery charged up.

 

Think about carrying jumper cables.  In a pinch you can use one of the tm batteries if your cranking battery is drained too low.  Be sure to charge all your batteries fully after each outing.  And, put the charger on as soon as you get home.

 

Chances are, if you do that diligently, your cranking battery will handle a days fishing.  It all depends on how much you run the outboard during the day.  If you use it very little, then it will not keep the battery fully charged.  That's why it's imperative that your batteries get fully charged when you get home.

Make sure you set your Lowrance units to show the battery voltage.  Note what the units show for voltage when the battery is fully charged.  Then you can easily monitor any voltage drop during the day, and run the motor to get the battery charged up.

 

Think about carrying jumper cables.  In a pinch you can use one of the tm batteries if your cranking battery is drained too low.  Be sure to charge all your batteries fully after each outing.  And, put the charger on as soon as you get home.

 

Chances are, if you do that diligently, your cranking battery will handle a days fishing.  It all depends on how much you run the outboard during the day.  If you use it very little, then it will not keep the battery fully charged.  That's why it's imperative that your batteries get fully charged when you get home.

Tom, i want a good enough AGM cranking battery that i don't need to worry about carrying a jumper cable or running the outboard and how it would affect startup or voltage. Thanks for the advice though!

Tom, i want a good enough AGM cranking battery that i don't need to worry about carrying a jumper cable or running the outboard and how it would affect startup or voltage. Thanks for the advice though!

You're welcome.

I really don't see what all of the fuss is about.  My cranking battery is a standard Walmart 27 series.  It powers my electronics, hatch lighting, and my alarm system.  With the one exception of when I failed to maintain the fluid level, I have never had a problem with it cranking the big motor, even after a full day of fishing with the TM.  That said, I would never leave the dock without a pair of jumper cables.

I DO NOT like or recommend using AGMs for cranking batteries.

First, they are hard on an outboard motors charging system and can cause very expensive failures because in general, they are not designed for AGMs.

Second, they do not have the reserve capacity a good, dual purpose flooded cell battery.

One other recommendation of using jumper cables and paralleling the TM battery could also be a very expensive mistake. Connecting and disconnecting them creates an arc that can blow the Rec/Reg, the power pack, and even the much more expensive SECM on the newer motors. You may do this a dozen times without a problem, but when you do and notice your tach has quit working and find the battery is no longer being charged, or go to start the motor and it will not start or the motor is running like crap, then you can say goodbye by to some major dollars.

I DO NOT like or recommend using AGMs for cranking batteries.

First, they are hard on an outboard motors charging system and can cause very expensive failures because in general, they are not designed for AGMs.

Second, they do not have the reserve capacity a good, dual purpose flooded cell battery.

One other recommendation of using jumper cables and paralleling the TM battery could also be a very expensive mistake. Connecting and disconnecting them creates an arc that can blow the Rec/Reg, the power pack, and even the much more expensive SECM on the newer motors. You may do this a dozen times without a problem, but when you do and notice your tach has quit working and find the battery is no longer being charged, or go to start the motor and it will not start or the motor is running like crap, then you can say goodbye by to some major dollars.

I believe there are specific charging systems designed for the higher cca batteries. Definitely more expensive though, and they take out the worry of jumper cables or failures for me. So I think I've decided on a group 31 agm battery.

I really don't see what all of the fuss is about.  My cranking battery is a standard Walmart 27 series.  It powers my electronics, hatch lighting, and my alarm system.  With the one exception of when I failed to maintain the fluid level, I have never had a problem with it cranking the big motor, even after a full day of fishing with the TM.  That said, I would never leave the dock without a pair of jumper cables.

The thing is I'm powering the engine along with two lowrance hds touch units, sonic hub, sonar hub, and gofree, so I want a powerful battery that I can be positive to depend on.

So go get the Sears PM-1 and be done.

So go get the Sears PM-1 and be done.

thats an extremely good price for the battery. Battery problem solved! I was looking at something earlier similar to this...http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/AutoBoat-Batteries-Chargers/Auto-Boat-Battery-Accessories|/p  would you advise using this to ensure a good connection?