The marine starting battery is specially designed to make boat and car owners’ life easier. Now, I’d like to find out what kind of best marine starting battery exists.
In this review, I’ll figure it out. As we all know, any device needs a steady flow of electricity to operate so at this point, the batteries are in full play.
In fact, marine starting batteries provide fast yet powerful bursts of energy for short periods of time and are specifically designed for engine starting and fast recharging from the engine’s alternator.
Unlike the best deep cycle marine battery, most marine starting batteries have thinner plates in order to provide a quick surge when starting the engine. However, there is another side of the coin. These marine batteries are often not designed to maintain high power output for long periods of time.
As you can see, there are a lot of pitfalls in the topic, so I propose to study all the written material to find the best marine starting batteries for yourself. I hope this article will help you with this difficult choice.
Marine Starting Batteries Comparison Table
Battery | Voltage | Capacity, Ah | CCA | MCA | Group size | Review |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Odyssey 31-PC2150S best overall | 12 | 100 | 1150 | 1370 | 31 | Review |
Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M | 12 | 55 | 750 | 870 | 34 | Review |
Northstar NSB-AGM31M | 12 | 100 | 1150 | 1370 | 31 | Review |
Best marine starting battery reviews
Odyssey 31-PC2150S – best marine starting battery
Choosing a starting battery for a boat is a very serious and responsible business. At first, I want to highlight the Odyssey 31-PC2150S, which has every chance of being called the greatest boat cranking battery. While featuring a CCA of 1150 and MCA of 1370, it will be your trusted companion for you and your boat. It is thanks to these characteristics that this battery remains competitive in the market for similar products for a long time.
More specifically, I would like to clarify that the product provides a strong voltage of 12 volts. It is also important to know that this device is very temperature-tolerant and can withstand changes without damaging the battery. By the way, about the battery, it features 100 Ah capacity, which is more than enough for an average boat. The reserve capacity of the Odyssey 31-PC2150S also shows very good numbers, because it is 2 whole hours or 200 minutes. The developers also took care of fast charging, so you don’t have to wait super long to fully charge your battery.
Key specs
- Nominal voltage : 12
- Capacity, Ah: 100
- CCA (Cold Cranking Amps): 1150
- MCA (Marine Cranking Amps): 1370
- BCI group size: 31
- RC (Reserve Capacity): 205 min
- Dimensions (L x W x H), cm/inch: 33 x 15.2 x 22.8 /13 x 6.8 x 9.4
- Weight, kg/lbs: 34.9/77.8
Pros
- Has a great capacity and power to last for several years without problems
- Due to the sturdy build, it prevents vibrations and is actually appliable to every weather condition
Cons
- In 2020 it is not very affordable and quite expensive in comparison with similar boat cranking batteries
Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M
The Optima 8016-103 D34M is another great product that may well claim to be the best marine cranking battery. The good thing for me is that it is super versatile. Inside, we get a unique patented ‘Spiral Cell’ Technology which provides faster recharge time, more running time, and a clean and strong power source. What’s more, for a relatively low price for 2020, the battery is completely spill-proof, extremely harmless, eco-friendly, clean, adaptable, and easy to use.
Plus, the Optima 8016-103 D34M is powerful enough to handle all possible loads thanks to its built-in 12v support. The battery, by the way, thanks to its reliable construction, prevents any outgoing vibrations. The battery comes with spill-proof construction. It is completely sealed with а container. That is why acid cannot leak or spill from it. I think that’s why it is so versatile and environmentally friendly.
This battery features 750 CCA and 870 MCA, which is also quite solid. Unfortunately, the volume of the battery itself is not very large compared to similar ones, only 55 Ah. Nevertheless, the reserve volume is still impressive – 120 extra minutes.
Key specs
- Nominal voltage : 12
- Capacity, Ah: 55
- CCA (Cold Cranking Amps): 750
- MCA (Marine Cranking Amps): 870
- BCI group size: 34
- RC (Reserve Capacity): 120 min
- Dimensions (L x W x H), cm/inch: 25.4 x 15.2 x 17.7/10 x 6.8 x 7.9
- Weight, kg/lbs: 19.5/43.5
Pros
- Quite lightweight construction with adorable design
- Specially designed to prevent vibrations thanks to a solid build
Cons
- Plastic housing not very reliable for transportation and can be easily damaged
Northstar NSB-AGM31M
Northstar NSB-AGM31M creates a high-quality AGM marine starting battery. But what is so good about them, you ask? I will answer that this particular model is a super performance solution for your boat or car. The body of this beautiful device is made of high-strength plastic that will withstand temperature surges without damaging the insides. In addition, this product has been confirmed as absolutely non-hazardous to the environment.
The thing is that AGM Technology delivers exceptional CCA ratings of 1150 and offers reserve capacity cycling built into the device. The MCA figures are also quite good and amount to 1370 A. American developers did a good job so that you definitely chose the best marine starter battery. The volume of the built-in battery has a fairly good indicator of 100 Ah and a reserve of an additional volume of 220 minutes.
Key specs
- Nominal voltage : 12
- Capacity, Ah: 100
- CCA (Cold Cranking Amps): 1150
- MCA (Marine Cranking Amps): 1370
- BCI group size: 31
- RC (Reserve Capacity): 220 min
- Dimensions (L x W x H), cm/inch: 30.4 x 15.2 x 22.8/12.9 x 6.7 x 9.7
- Weight, kg/lbs: 34/75
Pros
- Thanks to 103 amp hours it is very powerful and durable for long-term use
- Absolutely waterproof and resistible for any weather conditions
Cons
- The full charge takes quite a long time in comparison with Optima and Odyssey batteries
Buyers Guide
What to look for when choosing a marine starting battery
Difference between CCA and MCA
When choosing a suitable battery, you probably think about which indicators are better, why they are needed, etc. To understand, I propose to consider the difference between CCA and MCA in marine starting batteries.
The CCA rating represents in amps the current flow the battery can deliver for 30 seconds at 0 F. without dropping below 1.2 volts per cell (total of 7.2 volts for a 12-volt battery). The higher the number, the more amps it can deliver to crank an engine.
At the expense of the ISA indicator, the situation is slightly different. Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) batteries specially designed for marine use may be rated at MCA instead of CCA. The MCA rating method measures battery output at 32 F., instead of 0 F. A battery’s MCA rating will be one-third higher than its CCA rating would be.
Boat starting battery reserve capacity
Reserve capacity is the number of minutes a fully charged battery can withstand a specified constant load before it is completely discharged. Typically, this load is 25 amps. For example, if you are using a 12-volt battery, this means the battery voltage will drop to 10.5 volts.
In theory, a battery with a reserve capacity of 120 minutes can handle a typical load for two hours. But here, another important factor comes into play – never discharge the battery below 40%. It is similar to working with a phone unless with 1% of the charge you let your smartphone run down quietly? I think no. Here the situation is the same, just with the battery, it can also have negative consequences.
FAQ
How many cranking amps do I need for my boat?
Is higher cranking amps better?
How do you charge a marine starting battery?
Can a dead marine battery be recharged?
How long will a marine battery last?
Should you charge a new marine starting battery?
Why is my marine battery not holding a charge?
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