Hi Kip, I was at my local marina here in Florida the other day looking at purchasing a new battery for my boat. I went to the marina because I assumed that is where you buy a boat battery. I wasn’t sure exactly what I needed, but basically needed a battery to just start my boat. I was wondering what is the difference between a marine battery and a automobile battery? The gentleman at the store told me that boats take special batteries, and that you have to buy a marine battery. What are the differences between a marine battery, and automobile battery?

Diehard Marine Starting Battery

Deka Starting/Deep Cycle Battery

BestBatteryTips.com

Brent, thanks for writing in with your question. Surprising enough Brent you are not the first one to ask us this question, however this is our first reply to this question. We would have like to known whether you have any auxiliary items hooked up to your battery on your boat, but will explain both ways.

A boat battery can be bought almost anywhere Brent, so shop around for a decent price. A lot of people don’t understand the difference between a marine starting battery vs a automobile battery. The Difference between the two is simple. A marine starting battery not only has positive and negative post on it, but it also has threaded positive and negative post on it as well. This allows boaters to wire up auxiliary items such as fish finders, and stereos. The Marine starting battery generally comes with wing nuts, or just standard hex nuts to secure wiring onto the threaded post. Don’t get confused and assume that a dual purpose Marine battery is the same as a automobile battery. A dual purpose marine battery is a starting battery and a deep cycle battery, where as a automobile battery is not a deep cycle battery. The only time they are the same battery, but with threaded posts is when its a marine starting battery only. With that said, if you are not running auxiliary items to your battery you can purchase a regular automobile battery with the proper cranking amps that your boat motor requires. A straight marine starting battery is made no different than a automobile battery other than the added threaded posts.

Deep Cycle Batteries

Deep Cycle Batteries

A deep cycle battery also referred to as a marine battery can be placed in a large amount of various applications, where long sustained power is required with the ability to discharge and recharge over and over again. Electric Wheelchairs, Floor Scrubbing machines,Trolling boats, Electric Fences, UPC Backup, Sump Pump backup, and Golf Carts are just to name a few. Because of the design of Deep Cycle batteries, they are able to be deeply discharged and then recharged again. A typical deep cycle battery has a cycle life of around of at least 200 charge, discharge cycles. A SLI (Starting, Lighting, Ignition) battery when put in applications requiring a deep cycle battery, don’t last long because they can only handle 10 or less of charge, discharge cycles. Ever notice how much heavier a deep cycle battery is over a car battery? Deep cycle batteries have much thicker plates inside of them which allows them to be cycled many times. Deep cycle batteries run in the neighborhood of 50 to 350 dollars depending on size for the application. The number one reason for premature failure of a deep cycle battery is electrolyte level. Electrolyte levels deplete with the constant charging and discharging cycles, due to heat and evaporation. This is why it is important to always check the electrolyte level, and top off with distilled water when needed.  The number two reason for short life is excessive discharging of the battery. Never let the battery die down till there is nothing left. We’ll use a example of running a trolling motor on a fishing boat. Don’t use the battery until the boat won’t move anymore. Once you notice a noticeable difference in performance charge the battery back up. Following these guide lines will extend your deep cycle battery life dramatically.

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Goggles

Rubber Gloves

Battery Fill Can

Distilled Water

Non-Sealed (with filler caps) batteries are often neglected routine maintenance, and as a result their life expectancy is often cut short. Only 15 percent of consumers perform maintenance on their batteries as they should. Batteries have a average battery life in the U.S. of 37 months Performing maintenance on batteries, is quick and easy to do. A properly maintained battery can expect a battery life of 5 to 7 years. Depleted water level is the number one issue in a batteries shorted battery life. The water level inside of battery should never be below the lead grid plates inside of the battery. Once the water level dips below the lead grid plates inside the battery, the plates are exposed to air. The lead grid plates once exposed to air begin to sulfate. Deposits build to the lead grid plates, reducing the batteries ability to move electrons as efficiently. Even after the water level inside the battery is filled above the lead grid plates, the deposits are still attached to the plates. The damage done due to lack of water level remains after the fact. Checking your water level periodically can prevent this condition, and extend your battery life dramatically. The water level in batteries should be checked monthly in the summer and every 3 months in the winter. You will want to check the batteries state of charge before adding water.Be sure the battery is fully charged and cooled down, before adding water to a battery.  When filling batteries only use distilled water, never use tap water to fill batteries. Tap water contains contaminates such as chlorine, and calcium that will over time attach themselves to the lead grid plates. Distilled water has be removed of all contaminants. Be sure not to over fill the battery with distilled water, when the battery heats up it will begin seeping electrolyte. Remember to always wear rubber gloves, and goggles when performing any maintenance on a battery.

Product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within bestbatterytips .com website are the property of their respective trademark holders.