Starting battery

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NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,181
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Hello all.....

Just a simple question for some of you smart guys out there. I have a Yanmar 3HM35F engine and want to have a dedicated starter battery. What is the smallest that I can consider. Currently I have a group 31 AGM, however would rather add this to my house bank (3 Group 31's after addition) and get another AGM for starting only. Batteries are about 8 feet away from switch (1 / 2 / both / off) then another 3 feet to starter
Thanks!

Greg
s/v Four the Soul
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,695
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Not so smart but my opinion is that your 31 is overkill for that purpose. A group 24 or 27 will suffice. Had a dedicated 27 starting my Yanmar 4JH for a decade.
 

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,181
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
That's why I am changing things.... too much power just sitting around doing nothing. This originally was just a second bank so the 31 was ok as it did other duties. And now that I can put the battery on its side (AGM), I can easily add it to the "house bank" that will have 3 group 31's.

Thanks
 
Jan 22, 2008
169
Beneteau 343 Saint Helens, Oregon OR
My 3YM30 came with a Group 24, which has plenty of power for starting. I found a diagram for the starter in my 3YM30 that shows the starter tops about 250 amps when cranking. 24s usually have 500-600 CCA rating.
 
Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
I like Group 24's for starting: plenty of cranking amps, light and easy to move around, and relatively cheap. I typically get 5-7 yrs out of them.
 

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,181
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
After reading Maine Sail's battery wiring page I will call the battery in question a "reserve" battery as this is the capacity I will be using it. I am going to keep the current configuration and work solely on the House Bank and leave the reserve bank for emergency starts only. I am leaning towards a Group 24 AGM for this based on everything I have read and the advise from experienced sailors (you guys) so far.

Thanks as always! Wonderful resource this site is.
 
May 1, 2011
5,475
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
I have a dedicated Group 24 wet battery for starting. Two house banks of 2 group 27s each. And I have the ability to parallel the house bank with the starter for emergency starts.
 
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