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Is it normal for the cranking battery to be a deep cycle.

I'm new to this whole boat ownership thing, at least in terms of having one big enough to have batteries.

I noticed that both my trolling and canking batteries are deep cycle.

I have a Lund 1650 Rebel with a 50hp Honda 4stroke.

Its my understanding that the motor keeps the cranking battery charged and that I shouldn't have to charge it manually like I do with my trolling motor battery. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance.

Joey Rat wrote:Is it normal for the cranking battery to be a deep cycle.

I'm new to this whole boat ownership thing, at least in terms of having one big enough to have batteries.

I noticed that both my trolling and canking batteries are deep cycle.

I have a Lund 1650 Rebel with a 50hp Honda 4stroke.

Its my understanding that the motor keeps the cranking battery charged and that I shouldn't have to charge it manually like I do with my trolling motor battery. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance.

You are correct that your engine charges your cranking battery.
Your cranking battery should not be a deep cycle.

Thanks Spinner, hopefully no damage has been done to the battery.

I'm obviously going to have to double check but I'm amost positive the two batteries are the same.

On the down side it looks like I may have to buy a new battery but on the bright side I have a back up trolling motor battery.

I know there is a way to wire the trolling motor batteries in line but I'll worry about that later.

BTW, where in Orleans, I'm in the Belcourt/Sunview area.

Joey Rat wrote:I know there is a way to wire the trolling motor batteries in line but I'll worry about that later.

Not sure what you mean here.

A deep cycle can be used as a cranker but is not the usual choice. Deep cycle batteries are designed to deliver constant current for protracted periods and do not suffer like a cranker when flattened. The Cranker is designed to deliver high current for short periods. You should not connect the 2 together in parallel for charging purposes. The internal resistance for the each type of battery is different and you could end up damaging one of them or even your alternator is the current demand is too high. For batteries to be connected in parallel or series they must be of the same type and preferably the same make and model - this applies to using and charging. Leave the cranker alone and let then motor charge it. Recharge the deep cycle with an appropriate charger soonest after each trip. Winterizing them has already been covered recently and no doubt will be covered again in a couple of months so I won't go there. Hope this helps.

Have fun.

No I wasn't suggesting that I would wire the cranking to the trolling battery, just that if I need to change the cranking battery I would have a spare trolling battery.

I need to double check my cranking battery then if necessary I will ask for advice about changing it.

There are marine batteries and deep cycle batteries. A typical marine cranking battery should be your choice for the cranker, they are mid-way between a standard cranking battery (car) and a deep cycle, this gives a slightly more robust battery that can take some pounding on rough water. They have thicker plates inside. Stay away from CT

Plan on hooking your extra battery up to the trolling motor leaving sit will not extend its life, it starts dieing from the day it was made, might as well use it. or sell it.