Hard starting?

[Fenwick]

Does anyone else with a 150 Optimax fish in this cold weather? I start my 15 h.p. first to add volts and still seem to take all the juice with the 15 running my battery has to start my 150. I show 14.2 volts or more with the kicker running. The motor is kept up to date but is stored outside year round. Once it starts and is put in fast idle for the time it takes me to square away everything it's good for the day. The battery is new and kept charged when not in use. Is this just another cold blooded motor being used in extrem conditions?
Fenwick

[T-Mac]

You may have a battery that is below recommended CCA for an Opti.
DFI engines require a stronger battery than outboards used to get by with. We used to get by fine with a 400 CCA rated battery for a starting battery, now with DFI and EFI and MPFI, we use 800 CCA rated. (Need the extra to get the compessors whirling).
Or... you may simply have a slightly dirty connection somewhere between Opti and battery.

[Fenwick]

I'll check my conections but Im sure their clean. The battery is I think the largest in cold starting amps, 750, and the largest in size I could fit in the mounting area. It's a Die Hard. Should the battery be even larger? Will look everything over tomorrow. Not doing Xmass this year due to family problems this year. This too shall pass.
Thanks for your quick reply.
Fenwick

[reedbone]

fenwick, DFI motors should have a 1000 cca battery to get the proper volts to all the electronic componets, 800 cca in my opinion is the smallest you should use, in extreme cold weather go with the battery that's as close to 100 cca as possible. the opti is not cold blooded just needs the proper battery. good luck.

bob piette

[Fenwick]

I'll look into a larger battery!
Thank you.
Fenwick

[pwrfshn]

Fenwick,

Got a 175 Opti that I use all winter long and also store outside on weekend trips (garaged the rest of the week). I will get into the single digits overnight and I have come out to a Lundsicle (SP) in the morning.

Never once has it ever hesitated.

I'm running the Optima Cranking Marine battery for my main and I am very happy with it so far. Before this I had Exide Nautilus cranking for my main and that even did the job as well for the cranker.

Good luck,

[Fenwick]

And how many CCA is your battery rated. Mine is 850cca and is having a hard time. Will look into a 1000cca tomorrow. Will also look at conections again in the daylight. Maybe use some CLR to clean things up and some battery grease to keep things clean. I was thinking of runing a line to one of the trolling motor batteries to see if that makes any difference also. My batteries are new as of Sept. I have yet to see a 1000cca battery and if I find one will it fit in the compartment, but the search is on. It never ends but that's being a boat owner and sometimes the thing that non owners don't understand! I'm a bit surprised no one has blamed Merc. or my Optimax yet! Maybe the Xmass Spirit has taken Ahold. Hope it lasts the whole winter or even the rest of the year!!!
Thanks for all you input Gentlemen. Have a Merry Xmass
Fenwick

[pwrfshn]

Fenwick,

This is the batt I have for my cranker and it also runs my fuse bus. I think it is only 800 CCAs.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/pdf/34M.pdf

Good luck,

[Fenwick]

I hate when people start a post without ending it so here is the end of the story. I will be picking up a Optima Blue, D. 31 that has a 900 c.c.a. at zero degrees, ($199), and I might as well check and maybe replace the plugs. I fish the power plant for browns to wart of the winter blues in Oak Creek Wi. They do taste good soaked in a apple cider and brown sugar salt brime for 12 hours; smoked with Mesquite wood chips and charcoal. I smoke them between 225 and 325 degrees for around 3 1/2 hours or till golden brown. Afterwards when you glow in the dark the neighborhood kids tend to stay clear of you! What's up with that?
Thanks for all the help!
Fenwick