When it comes to battery power, you need to make some important decisions. Batteries come in different types and chemistries, but the choice depends on what you’re using them for. For example, radio, livewell, and trolling motor batteries are significantly different that most other batteries. One is optimized for longer life, while another is designed to tolerate more frequent power draw without draining. Another is designed for intermittent deep discharges. And yet another is designed so it can be easily recharged. When it comes to batteries for boats, it’s important to understand the difference between the various types of batteries. To help you out with this, we thought it would be helpful to put together a brief article on this subject. If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, read on as we break down everything that you need to know about marine batteries.
Boat Battery Types
Basically, there are three basic types of boat batteries. These are starting batteries, dual-purpose batteries, and deep cycle batteries.
Batteries that start the motor are called starting batteries. This type of battery is responsible for delivering cranking power to the motor and helps it get started. Dual-purpose batteries, on the other hand, run everything from radios to electronics to lights. However, they can still be used to power your motor. Lastly, deep cycle marine batteries are designed to be used alongside starting batteries. Unlike dual-purpose batteries, these batteries are solely used to power the accessories on your boat. Deep cycle batteries power radios, lighting, electronics, and charging outlets found on your boat.
When you know what type of battery you need, check your battery compartment. While it may seem simple, it’s all too easy to use the wrong kind of battery. Last summer, we bought a used boat with two starting batteries powering the trolling motor, when it actually needed a deep cycle battery. Never use the wrong types of batteries as this could lead to complications down the line.
Boat Battery Chemistry
When it comes to the chemistry of the batteries, the main chemistry types that you need to know about are: flooded, AGM, Flat Plate AGM, and Lithium:
- Flooded Batteries: These batteries provide a lot of power but need to be maintained regularly. You need to constantly check on its fluid levels as they need to be refilled regularly. If you’re looking for an economical choice, this battery is right for you.
- AGM Batteries: Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are stronger types of batteries when compared to flooded batteries. These last relatively long as long as you take the time to ensure that they are properly maintained.
- Flat Plate AGM Batteries: A marine AGM battery is constructed with so many thin lead plates that it can hold more energy. This allows you to use fewer batteries to store the same amount of energy, improving battery life.
- Lithium Batteries: Lithium batteries are the latest innovations in the marine battery market. They are both high-powered and extremely lightweight, which makes them a great option for just about any boat.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you gain a better understanding of marine batteries. While they may seem complicated at first, the information that we’ve laid out here should be enough to give you good foundational knowledge on this subject. Be sure to keep everything that you’ve learned here in mind so that you can make the most informed decisions regarding your boat.
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