Best battery for 90HP 4 stroke Merc?
Submitted by Guardy on Fri, 2013-06-14 08:51
I recently went to replace the existing #1 battery with a like for like as it wasn't starting my outboard. The model had changed from 460 to 530 CCA which I though was good. But it still won't start the engine. I checked my #2 battery and it is the same, a 460 CCA. I had never checked them individually before as I always started the engine with both batteries (I know, stupid of me not to check). That was how I was told to start it when I bought the boat. And, before anyone asks, yes the batteries are fully charged.
So my question is what size battery should I have?
.thumbnail.jpg "James (Crewy) with a Medium Rankin")
wangler
Posts: 607
Date Joined: 26/04/08
does it turn over
does it turn over
Want to make someone mad... tell a lie! Want to get the world upset... tell the TRUTH !
Dougie
Guardy
Posts: 381
Date Joined: 09/08/12
Yes, it turns over just on one battery but not enough
To start. When the selector switch is on both batteries it starts up no problem. I just don't want to be caught offshore with one battery down.
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
Hey mate, check out this
Hey mate, check out this link
http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/index.php/product-range/marine
basically the smallest battery they now do is a 580cca. This is recommended for 45hp max plus basic electrics only.
Their next one is the 680cca which is rated for a 115hp max plus basic electrics
From what I can gather your a little undergunned if you want the single to start your 90hp...
Guardy
Posts: 381
Date Joined: 09/08/12
That helps for sure
SStevee, that sure does help. I will be off shortly to pick up a couple of new ones. Just a shame that I had purchased the wrong one in the first place last week.
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
Sent you a pm about the
Sent you a pm about the battery mate
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Mate nothing wrong with a
Mate nothing wrong with a 500cca battery, l was using one to start my 75 Merc 4stroke, same motor as the 90 for the last 3 years. have only just replaced them with new ones, which are 530cca.
Ive got a duel battery set up but never ran them on the both switch. Dont know why the bloke told you to use both to start. If one battery is faulty it will drain the other. Go out on one come home on the other.
Could be another issue, loose wiring on the switch?
tigerfish
Posts: 88
Date Joined: 20/08/10
Hmmm, my (humble and
Hmmm, my (humble and unqualified) opinion would be that there is a problem there. Bearing in mind that a 90hp 4st outboard is basically a small car engine (my HOnda 90hp is a honda civic engine I believe) and should be able to be started with even a small battery. I have a 730cca marine battery with mine but only because I also use it for running accessories.
Think I would be getting down to a battery place and getting them to load test your batteries, if those are fine then you might need to look at your cables or possibly the battery switch.
Guardy
Posts: 381
Date Joined: 09/08/12
Yes, you and Holth could be right.
I have changed out the batteries this afternoon for a couple of Challenge MF Deep Cycle Marine 680CCA 95AH batteries. They started the engine no problem. The engine goes in for its 300 hour service next week so will get them to check what is going on.