Spring is a good time to make certain your engine has an appropriate staring battery both in size and in condition.

Starting batteries are special purpose batteries. They are made to provide a lot of power quickly. The figures are in the 100’s of
amps for a period like 5 seconds. These batteries are not made to be deeply discharged as are house batteries.

A key # for starting batteries is cold cranking amps. This figure will show how many amps a battery can deliver for 30 seconds
at a temperature of 0 degrees F, until the voltage frops from 12 to 7.2 volts.

Requirements for starting batteries range from 70 amp hours/400 Cold Cranking amps for 1-3 cylinders to 120 amp hours and 660 cold cranking amps
for larger 3 and 4 cylinder engines. Since cranking an engine for 30 seconds is extremely abnormal, you really get more amps for a marine engine in good order.

If you need a new battery for your boat visit Torresen Marine’s Spring Thaw Open house on Friday March 12th. That day only all batteries will be 35% off.

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