Suzuki publishes a minimum starting-battery specification for every electric-start outboard, and the right answer is on this one page. This chart was compiled by the Boat Max Online service team from Suzuki's own maintenance and owner's manuals. The DF2.5, DF4A, DF5A and DF6A are manual start only and need no battery.
Suzuki's wording is the same in every owner's manual: a 12-volt starting-type lead-acid battery that meets at least one of the listed values, marine cranking amps (MCA), cold cranking amps (CCA) or reserve capacity (RC) minutes. The amp-hour figure is the equivalent capacity at the 20-hour rate.
Suzuki outboard battery requirements by model
| Models | Years | Minimum battery (MCA / CCA / RC / Ah) |
|---|---|---|
| DF8A, DF9.9A | 2010+ | 450 MCA / 330 CCA / 70 RC min / 35 AH |
| DF9.9B, DF15A, DF20A | 2013+ | 450 MCA / 330 CCA / 70 RC min / 35 AH |
| DF25A, DF30A | 2015+ | 650 MCA / 512 CCA / 160 RC min / 70 AH |
| DF40A, DF50A, DF60A, DF50AV, DF60AV | 2010+ | 650 MCA / 512 CCA / 160 RC min / 80 AH |
| DF70A, DF75A, DF80A, DF90A, DF100B | 2009+ | 650 MCA / 512 CCA / 160 RC min / 100 AH |
| DF100A, DF115A, DF140A | 2013+ | 650 MCA / 512 CCA / 160 RC min / 100 AH |
| DF100C, DF115B, DF140B, DF115BG, DF140BG | BG 2021+, B 2022+ | 650 MCA / 512 CCA / 160 RC min / 100 AH (DF100C/115B/140B); 850 MCA / 670 CCA / 180 RC / 100 AH (DF115BG/140BG) |
| DF150A, DF175A, DF200A, DF150AP, DF175AP, DF200AP | A 2019+ (DF200A 2015+), AP 2015+ | 850 MCA / 670 CCA / 180 RC min / 100 AH |
| DF150, DF175, DF150TG, DF175TG | 2006–2018 | 850 MCA / 670 CCA / 180 RC min / 100 AH |
| DF200, DF225, DF250 | 2004+ | 1000 MCA / 800 CCA / 180 RC min / 130 AH |
| DF250AP, DF300AP, DF250S, DF300 | DF300 2007–2011; DF300AP 2012+; DF250AP 2013+ | 1000 MCA / 800 CCA / 180 RC min / 130 AH |
| DF300B, DF325A, DF350A, DF300BMD, DF350AMD | 2018+ | 1000 MCA / 800 CCA / 180 RC min / 130 AH |
What Suzuki says about battery type
- Do not use a deep-cycle battery as the cranking battery. Dual-purpose (cranking/deep-cycle) batteries are acceptable if they meet the minimums above.
- Suzuki's 2019-and-newer manuals accept maintenance-free (sealed) starting batteries and exclude only deep-cycle and gel-cell types. Some older manuals (for example the 2014 DF9.9B/15A/20A and 2017 DF115A/140A) also advise against maintenance-free batteries because of charging-system compatibility; if you have an older motor, follow the manual that came with it.
- These are minimums for starting. A boat running electronics, a livewell or lights from the same battery needs more capacity, or a separate house battery.
- The DF115BG/140BG and the DF150A–DF200A need the larger 850 MCA battery; the V6 DF200–DF350A need 1,000 MCA.
Reading the label
MCA is measured at 32 °F and CCA at 0 °F under BCI test conditions, so the MCA number on a label is always the higher of the two. A battery marked 500 MCA / 400 CCA satisfies the DF9.9B–20A spec (450 MCA or 330 CCA) twice over and falls short of the DF25A/30A spec (650 MCA or 512 CCA) on both counts.
Related reading: battery guide for the DF9.9B, DF15A and DF20A and battery guide for the DF25A and DF30A.
Sources: Suzuki 4-Stroke Outboard Maintenance Manual (Feb 2025); Suzuki owner's manuals for each model family (in our service library); Suzuki 4-Stroke Outboard Maintenance Manual, Battery p.45. Figures are Suzuki's published values; always confirm against the owner's manual for your model and year.