2gm20f cca minimum needed?

[Dan Hill]

Searched many forums and sites but would like your experienced opinion MS.

Due to space limitations I am considering a bci group u1 (garden tractor battery) as a emergency start power source. Would only be used in emergencies as I have converted and to your "camp" in the 1/2/both switch configuration debates, works great as a use switch with the house bank btw.

General consensus around seems to be 200 cca minimum to crank this 1k starter on this motor. I also understand yanmar specs requirements in AH, which is strange.

Have found a manufacturer that specs one at 300 cca in a flooded battery.

So..... The question is.

Given the proper cable size/length and charge level!

Would this battery start my well behaved 2gm20f Yanmar?

 

[Warren Milberg]

Yes (if all else is well with your engine, starter, solenoid, fuel system, wiring harness, etc.). I've experimented with starting my 2GM20f with a small emergency "battery pack" and it worked well. But as you know, these 25+ yr old engines can often fail to start due to impedence in the multi-connection harness.... a whole other problem.

 

[Dan Hill]

Thanks Warren. I actually did the relay install very similar to your article on the 28.5 site. I went a step further and added a remote start switch that triggers the relay, very handy and no more cranking issues!

I think I will give this project the green light.

I currently have 2 group 27s in use and will combine these to one house "use" bank. Future inverter project is driving this thinking.

Another item for the punch list

 

[Maine Sail]

Thanks Warren. I actually did the relay install very similar to your article on the 28.5 site. I went a step further and added a remote start switch that triggers the relay, very handy and no more cranking issues!

I think I will give this project the green light.

I currently have 2 group 27s in use and will combine these to one house "use" bank. Future inverter project is driving this thinking.

Another item for the punch list

Look into some of the larger motorcycle batteries or PWC batteries as they often have a little more CCA than a lawn mower battery. The U1's are all over the place CCA wise. Some are as low as 120CCA and others as high as 400CCA. Go for the most CCA you can get in a small package..

 

[Dan Hill]

Look into some of the larger motorcycle batteries or PWC batteries as they often have a little more CCA than a lawn mower battery. The U1's are all over the place CCA wise. Some are as low as 120CCA and others as high as 400CCA. Go for the most CCA you can get in a small package..

I found some even offer a gel version of the U1 used in wheel chairs and electric scooters. I hadn't thought of the motorcycle groups, I know my old harley required a massive amount of cca's to crank. Time for some more research!

 

[Brian S]

I picked up a U1 flooded lead acid tractor battery at Tractor Supply for something like $37.00. Mine was rated at 360CCA, and they had another one that was 420CCA, but was sold out. (I think they were having a sale. I would have got the bigger one, why not?)

I only use it for my LED nav lights and one interior LED light, so I'll likely never have issues... It's light weight and small enough that I can pick up up out of the boat with one hand and carry home for charging every so often. And at $37 bucks, if it goes kaput in 3 years 'cos it's not deep cycle, I figure I still got my money's worth. I found a plastic battery box for U1 batteries at West Marine, so it's even better, with more space in my lazarette than with the bigger battery box.

Brian

 

[Dan Hill]

Update.......

I ended up using a u1 due to cost factors. It's rated for 330 cca and tested new to 416.

Although it does crank slower than my use bank of 200ah, it does start the yanmar fine.

Charging is handled through a 7610 Blue Sea acr which works great. No more switching banks for charging!

Last item to this mod was a 1000 pure sine wave inverter installed last weekend. Powers microwave, hot water kettle, and ceramic heater (on low setting) just fine. No....not all at once!

I'm very happy how my project turned out. Simpler to operate and less worries about being dead in the water.

Thanks for the help!