Deep Cell Starting

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Jun 9, 2004
12
- - Bohemia River, Maryland
I have two deep cell gell's on a 336. I am having some problems with getting the engine to turn over sometimes even after a long run. Do I need to change out one of the deep cells for a high cranking battery? I though the deep cell could handle starting. I have a new starter and starter switch. Please advise.
 
S

Steve

The deep cell batteries are designed as house batteries - slow charging and discharging. An engine starter is just the opposite. Sorry.
 
Jun 4, 2004
834
Hunter 340 Forked River, NJ
Other possibilities

Your 336 likely has a diesel in the 27-30 hp range and most group 24 or 27 deep cycle batteries should have enough cranking amps to turn your engine over. That said, are you sure that your batteries are fully charged? You may have one or two old batteries that have lost their capacity, you may have one or more bad cells or many other battery related problems. Take them out and have them checked. Secondly, are your battery cables tight and both ends clean and bright, especially where grounded to the engine block? You could also have bad contacts in your battery switch. Those are the more common problems but the list goes on and on. Good Luck
 
Jul 1, 2004
567
Hunter 40 St. Petersburg
Deep cycle batteries

should start your diesel just fine, they're just not optimized for that. I'd need many more details to hazard a guess. Do you have a monitor? How are you monitoring charging levels? What's the state of charge when you start? Voltage? Voltage drop when you turn the key?
 
Jun 7, 2004
944
Birch Bay Washington
You can do the compression release trick

if you have trouble starting. You just release the compression, crank the engine a little until it gets turning and then let go of the compression release lever. It is a good idea to do this anyway because it circulates the oil before the engine starts. Check connections too. Be carefull about mixing battery types. Gel cells do not play well with others.
 
Feb 15, 2004
735
Hunter 37.5 Balt/Annapolis/New Bern
Deep cell works fine

How old are the batteries? When they begin to die, they discharge more quickly and won't turn the motor over. May be a sign yours are dying. Add a standard starting battery and strap your 2 deep cycles together for the house bank. Then you can work with each of them and determine if/when they are dying. And, you'll always have the starting battery as a backup.
 
A

Andy

Hot switch

Make sure you batteries are fully charged, and like others have said, most deep cycles have the cold crank amps needed to turn the Yanmar. Another thread you may check in the forums is about the starter switch and the wires from the switch to the starter. Some advocate putting larger wires between the push button switch and the starter solenoid due to amp loss. Also, the push button switches can get corroded and worn to the point that they are not making a strong connection.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
You probably need a new battery.

James: I would say you proabably need a new battery. Do both batteries crank the engine over slowly? If so, you may need two new batteries. Try borrowing a battery (or use your car battery) and see what happens. We have only used Deep Cycle batteries to start our engine and have never had a problem.
 
P

Pete

starting problems

check the batteries with a volt meter and then a "load tester". if they check out ok then check the starting wires.quick check is to simply bypass the soliniod at the starter if it still is slow or won't crank it is most likely a battery problem. Let us know what was wrong, Good Luck
 
Jun 9, 2004
12
- - Bohemia River, Maryland
Bad ground was the problem.

Thanks to all who responded. I cleaned off all battery and engine ground connections and now is turns over and starts with no problem. Thanks again.
 
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