I have been hesitant to post my bad experience with a gel cell starting battery because I thought my ignorance of this subject was my own fault. But; I have not read any posts concerning this subject and decided to relate my experiences for what it is worth.

In 2003, I purchased a used rig with a 1993 200hp Johnson motor. It came equipped with an Optima, red top, automotive-type starting battery. I thought that was a good thing as I had no problems with the battery for about 2 & 1/2 years.

Then; after over a year of sitting idle, I charged the batteries and took it to the ramp. That was a far as I got that day. I could not start the motor, and took to the mechanic I had been using. He discovered that ALL of the electronics were toast! He stated that the motor being idle for so long was not the best thing and could cause some electronic problems; but, he was thinking that the gel cell starting battery had something to do with all of the electronics going bad. He was not sure about this opinion and said he would try to find the time to research.
This malfunction resulted in approximately a $1,300 repair.

Sometime later I decided to do some research. I contacted Optima by telephone, and they assured me that the battery was OK for my marine needs. I didn't expect anything less; but, decided to check further.

Through the Bombardier web site, I was directed to a free tech. customer service telephone number. The telephone number connected me with a Bombardier sponsored mechanic at a major Marina/Boat sales/Service on the east coast. I have forgotton the name of the Marina and have lost my notes; but, the service is easy to locate on the Bombardier web site.

The Bombardier mechanic was very busy, on a mobile phone and took the time to answer my questions about a gel cell starting battery. In a word, he said NEVER use a gel cell for starting a marine motor with a STATOR because the stator is constantly calling for more amps. (I think I got that right) and the stator will be overworked, causing damage to other electronic parts. He said the gel cell is a good choice for a system with an alternator only.

If this is common knowledge, I apologise for the long post. If it is not, I hope this helps others who may be considering a gel cell starting battery with avoiding an expensive mistake.

most outboards on bass boats today have alternators. 40-60 amp.
have run gelcel / AGM batteries for years and never had that problem.
main issue with the Optimax engines is to be sure you have a minimum 1000 cranking amp battery!

As a follow-up to my original post, I can only state my bad experience and the information I received. I am positive that with the amount of experience Snakebit-201 has, his information is equally good.

The only recommendation I would have is that if there is any doubt about the compatability between your motor and a gel cell starting battery, you should probably check with a trusted mechanic or the motor mfg. for a determination.

Thanks Snakebit for the input.

I have Optimas for my trolling motor but use an Everstart from WalMart for my cranking battery. IMO the cranking battery is not near as important than the TM batteries simply because I use the TM a lot more than the big engine.

wasn't trying to sound negative,but was trying to understand the mechanics theory on the alternator thing!!
the battery justs does the starting,then the engine(stator etc) is running off the alternator.the voltage regulator tells the alternator how much juice the engine needs,not the battery.
have had some wierd things happen because of a bad battery though!!!
the AGM/ GELCELL batteries do require a little different means of charging over standard lead acid.they can not be subjected to high voltages,something like 14 volts.some chargers will ruin them because of the higher voltage. most on board chargers these days are set to run both kinds of batteries.

Snakebit-201,

I didn't understand the mechanics of what I was told either. Of course, there are probably a couple of things in this world that I don't understand. He-He, and written in jest............

The only thing that I remember from the Bombardier sponsored tech, who seemed very knowledgeable, is that you never use a gel cell in conjunction with a stator. Also, my Johnson mechanic's opinion about the gel cell was based on his customers who were using a gel cell starting battery having a lot - more than normal - electronics failures. He mentioned that he thought the gel cell would provide too much electricity to the stator; but, hadn't been schooled, or read anything to that effect. In the case of my '93 Johnson 200, the Bombardier tech. confirmed his suspicions. I don't know; but, maybe my motor does not have a regulator? I can't even spell mechannic!!

Maybe we could put out a plea for Tommy Yetts, Rockwall Marine, for clarification.

All the battery does is power up the starter motor. The stator and flywheel generate the 300V AC or so needed to power up the ignition coils. The alternator is a separate set of coils & magnets in the stator & flywheel plus a rectifier and possibly a voltage regulator. Your 1993 V6 would most likely have a regulated 35-amp alternator. But smaller than 4-cylinder motors, and some V-4's & V-6's through the 80's have 6- or 9-amp unregulated alternators. Of course a voltage regulator doesn't regulate current. You should have fuses to protect your electronics from too much current, and most of 'em have internal protection from over/under-voltage. What kind of electronics?

I think the main thing is, to keep the smoke inside your electical devices - I've noticed that once you let the smoke out, they don't work anymore.........

If your going to use Optima Batteries, trolling or cranking, they need to be the Blue tops. The red top are for automotive requirements. When I switched to Optimas almost 3 years ago, I called Optima directly and had them help me out.

I have heard of this too so I sent Mercury an E-mail this week asking if it was OK to use an AGM or Gell battery for my starting battery in a Merc 2001 2001 EFI. They told they only reccommend lead acid batteries for the starting battery becasue the other type can damage my motor. Don't know why but that was straight from Mercury.

Jtexas,

Thanks for the information; but, I still do not understand all that I know about that. Not your fault - mine.

As far as the smoke, when the dadgone Motor doesn't work right, I do get a little uptight and tend to smoke more. I would have thought that when I found out I couldn't start the motor at the ramp, that I would have created enough smoke to replace any leakage. Guess not........................................

Cajun, I've never heard of the gel cell problem. Optima batteries are absorbed glass mat (AGM), not gel. Your 200 Johnson has a stator charging system. If AGM bqatteries are a problem for stators, that info would probably out there on the web. I haven't looked, but there are several sites that have technical forums where you can inquire.

I have Optima batteries for my TM, and they do have slightly different charging requirements.

Mercury switched to alternators on their EFI engines in the late 90's, and all Optimax engines have alternators because of their high power requirements. But my 93 200 EFI has a stator, and my friends 98 200 EFI has a stator. You didn't say what specifically was damaged. $1300 to replace a stator ain't reasonable....

Artie

Bass Art,

That is my error, referring to the red top Optima as a gel cell. But; I did describe that battery to the Bombardier tech and he said never use this battery with a stator.

AS far as the parts, I have not been able to find the work order for that repair. What I remember is that the mechanic stated that all of the motor electronics were bad. He replaced the stator, put the flywheel back, and the rest of the electronic parts were still bad. So; he replaced those also. He referred to one part as the 'trigger'. I know there is a more correct name for this part; but, I can't remember what it is. I think there was at least one other part, and maybe two other parts replaced. This mechanic is very fair minded, honest and only replaces needed parts. I do have total confidence in him. As I recall, the prices of the parts were quite expensive and the labor was reasonable. The total was slightly over #1,300.

I will contact the mechanic and he can straighten me out on what was done, and explain the mechanics of why these types of batteries are not compatable with a stator.

Also, a previous post reported that Mercury only recommends a lead, acid battery only for the starter. Again, I apologise for not being alble to fully explain the reasons for lead, acid batteries.

The only thing I know for sure is that I will not use an AGM or gel cell starting batttery on the motor I have now.