Battery for Boats: the Starting, Deep Cycle, and Marine Battery

By Scott Immers

For boating buffs, they'd know that one integral part of their boats is the batteries. For someone new in the business, this article will provide basic information on batteries for your money's worth.

Batteries for boats actually look like car batteries. However, these are sturdier than regular car batteries because they need to be able to endure the boat's swaying movements as well as jolts.

One type of boat battery is the lead acid type battery. This battery is the most common, because it is more affordable than most, and needs minimal maintenance. Unfortunately, it is heavier than the other types. In addition, the lifespan of the lead acid type is short, the lead content in the battery has toxic effects, and it is highly combustible because it can form hydrogen gas when its components are mixed with air.

There are two main types of these lead acid batteries: starting batteries and deep cycle batteries. Starting batteries are, well, used to start your boat's engines. Some car batteries can be used to do this. These batteries deliver short explosions of energy and are quickly recharged by your alternator (a generator that recharges your batteries). In contrast, deep cycle batteries provide consistent electrical energy to power your boat's accessories including your trolling motor (used as secondary propulsion to silently maneuver boats), lights, instruments, radio, etc.

On the other hand, deep cycle batteries are made up of thicker plates of solid lead. It provides steady surges of electrical energy for the boat's accessories which also includes the trolling motor (a secondary propulsion or force to quietly maneuver boats), radio, lights, instruments, and the like.

There are two kinds of lead acid batteries: the starting battery and deep cycle battery. The former is used to start the engines of the boat. It has spongy plates to maximize its surface area and deliver big bursts of energy. After starting the engine, this battery is almost immediately recharged by the alternator or the recharging equipment of the boat. The latter, on the other hand, uses solid lead as plates and delivers consistent power. It is a good source of energy for the lights, instruments, radio, and the trolling motor (which is used to maneuver the boat silently). If a starting battery is used to power the equipment above, its plates will disintegrate in just a short time.

Now we come to the marine battery. This is also called the hybrid battery because it can be used as a starting battery and as a deep cycle battery. This is made possible by its plate that is made of a coarse sponge that is stronger than that of a starting battery, though not as strong as that of the deep cycle battery.

So now you know the most common batteries for boats. Having the right battery for your needs is important. Having a battery that can be used as a starting and deep cycle battery is a big plus. - 31512

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