Battery Advice for 20hp OB

[Dougcole]

Thanks for all of the great advice everyone.


@Carl (Cigatoo). Yes, we had a pull start Suzuki 20hp before, ran it for almost ten years and loved it. It is a great motor that was running perfectly when we traded it in last week. I actually had another 'zuke 20hp, but this time electric start, on order but decided to switch to the Merc. My same dealer, who is a very trustworthy honest guy (I've bought 4 motors and a flats boat from him) sells both Merc and Suzuki. He told me that from a reliability standpoint the merc and the 'zuke are identical, both excellent. I like the features on the Merc a little better (center mounted tiller, shifter on the tiller, placement of the flush port, spin on oil filter) and it was $300 cheaper than the 'zuke, so I went with it.

[Dougcole]

I reached out to Noco a couple of days ago about their Lifpo4 battery for a small OB and below is my chat transcript with them. Pushed them pretty hard on if it would work, I think I eventually got a yes, albeit wrapped in corporate cya.



Doug Cole
Apr 3, 2023, 14:49 MST
Chat started: 2023-04-03 09:12 PM UTC
(09:12:20 PM) Doug Cole: Hi, I am considering a NLP9 as a starting battery for the 20hp outboard in our tender. But I have a couple of questions.
1. How waterproof is it? This is an open boat, so it will get wet. What happens if the boat fills partway with rainwater and the battery is submerged?
2. Do you make a waterproof box that will work with the NLP9?
3. Will the 12/145 alternator on my outboard charge it safely?
Thanks.
(09:14:11 PM) *** Sierra joined the chat ***
(09:14:42 PM) Sierra: Hello Doug, thank you for contacting NOCO support! Unfortuantely the NLP9 is not a starter battery so it will not work for this application.
(09:15:25 PM) Doug Cole: do you have a battery that will work? I need 300 cca
(09:17:44 PM) Doug Cole: Are you sure they aren't a start battery? Your website says the following:
(09:17:48 PM) Doug Cole: They are designed to withstand 50,000 start cycles and 2,000 charge cycles, making them the highest performing and longest-lasting batteries for any motorcycle, ATV, UTV, PWC, scooter, or snowmobile.
(09:18:22 PM) Sierra: The NOCO NLP Batteries do not have CCA ratings. Cranking amp ratings were created for lead-acid batteries. Since Lithium batteries have different characteristics, this test does not apply to them. To determine which NLP model may be a suitable replacement for your battery, check if the model of your current battery is on the list of lead-acid battery models each NLP can replace, found on each NLP model's product page.
(09:19:15 PM) Doug Cole: Thanks, but that doesn't help me. I am starting from scratch with a new motor. There is no existing battery.
(09:19:53 PM) Doug Cole: is it a deep cycle battery? Why would a motorcycle or PWC need a deep cycle battery?
(09:20:41 PM) Sierra: No it is not a deep cycle battery. This is a battery for very small applications.
(09:21:05 PM) Doug Cole: Like starting a small outboard motor?
(09:22:23 PM) Sierra: No it would be more for ATVs, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and motorcycles.
(09:23:14 PM) Doug Cole: But all of those have motors about 20hp. What is the difference?
(09:25:24 PM) Sierra: We cannot guarentee that it will work for this set-up as it hasn't been tested but if you would like, you can purchase the battery and test it, then return it within the 30-day return period if it does not work.
(09:25:48 PM) Doug Cole: OK thanks. That is very fair and I appreciate the offer.
(09:26:22 PM) Doug Cole: Can you speak a little bit as to it's water resistance? will it hurt it to get rained on?
(09:27:19 PM) Sierra: It can get rained on but you don't want to submerge it under warranty.
(09:28:38 PM) Doug Cole: OK, got it. Thanks for your help!
(09:28:52 PM) Doug Cole: do you make any sort of battery box for it?
(09:30:23 PM) Sierra: We may have a battery box that it can fit in.
(09:36:43 PM) Sierra: Unfortuantely we do not have a battery box for this battery.
(09:41:48 PM) Sierra: I haven't seen any activity for several minutes now, are there any other items I can assist you with today?
(09:49:54 PM) Sierra: I haven't heard from you for a while now, I do apologize, but I will need to close our chat to assist other customers in the queue. Please chat back with us once you are available, your chat history will be saved and viewable by any Support Agent. Thank you for contacting NOCO Support. Have a great day!
(09:49:56 PM) *** Sierra left the chat ***

[IRENE]

Hi Doug,

We have been using an EarthX battery on a 20hp Tohatsu for about 2 years. Weight and size was our priority. Our tender can sit unused for some months and we have been pleased with its performance. The battery has been maintenance free. A link to our model is below.

https://earthxbatteries.com/product/etx680c/

Good Luck

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by NWboater2

Huh. Did you tell them it’s a small outboard with less power and displacement than most motorcycles atvs snowmobiles and jet skis? Still think it would work.

If your asking me? Yes I did. I mentioned a 20hp motor.

[Jc180]

Believe the issue with electric start outboards 20 hp and under is that alternator output voltage is not well regulated such that lithium batteries may be over charged. For this reason have opted for a lawn and garden wet acid battery even though heavier for my 20hp Suzuki efi.

[Dougcole]

Originally Posted by Jc180

Believe the issue with electric start outboards 20 hp and under is that alternator output voltage is not well regulated such that lithium batteries may be over charged. For this reason have opted for a lawn and garden wet acid battery even though heavier for my 20hp Suzuki efi.

This is one of my biggest concerns as well. But the Noco battery is marketed as a start battery for motorcycles, jet skis, lawn tractors etc. None of those have a more sophisticated charging system than an outboard do they?

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Dougcole

This is one of my biggest concerns as well. But the Noco battery is marketed as a start battery for motorcycles, jet skis, lawn tractors etc. None of those have a more sophisticated charging system than an outboard do they?

I am thinking, that it would be under charged.

[Jc180]

Originally Posted by Dougcole

This is one of my biggest concerns as well. But the Noco battery is marketed as a start battery for motorcycles, jet skis, lawn tractors etc. None of those have a more sophisticated charging system than an outboard do they?

I actually have a LI-ion Noco starting battery for my Honda ATV, but it has a separate regulator and Noco is marketed for this application. However, my Suzuki Shop Manual (page 0A-6) recommends a lead acid starting battery going on to say “ The use of Maintenance -Free, sealed, or gel-cell batteries is not recommended because they may not be compatible with Suzuki’s charging system.” No mention of Li-ion, but I assume they be an issue as well. Interestingly, this same caution is not published in the Suzuki Owner’s Manual.