There’s More To Choosing The Right Battery For Your Boat Than You May Think Making A Smart Decision Now Could Save You Big In The Long Run
So, the batteries on your boat have come to end of their life, and you need to buy new ones. But what should you choose? You would think that you could just walk into your local marine store and buy any battery that fits in the boat, right? Wrong. There’s more to equipping your boat with batteries than you might think. Batteries fall into one of two categories, deep cycle or starting. A cycle is the term given to a battery that discharges through use and is then bought back up to full charge again. As a rough guide, a light to medium duty battery will be good for about 200 to 300 cycles, while a heavy duty battery should easily be able double that amount of useful cycles with no ill effects.
A starting battery is the type you have on your car. The battery is there simply to crank the engine, then as soon the as the motor is running, all the electrical demands are satisfied by the alternator on the engine, which also recharges current drawn from the battery. The starting battery only has to give a big jolt of electrical power for a very short time.
Batteries come in range of sizes. Terms that you will often hear are group 24, 27, 31, 4D, and 8D. The group has nothing to do with the actual capacity of the battery, but merely relates to the physical size.
What Size Charger Do I Need
If youre cruising or anchored out, and arent plugged in except intermittently, you will want enough capacity to recharge in the time you have available, if possible. You need enough juice to replace the power consumed by all the DC loads, as above, plus an average charge rate equaling the amp hours required divided by the hours available. Maximum amperage that batteries can accept during the Bulk Phase of the charging cycle vary depending on battery chemistry: flooded batteries can accept a charge rate of up to 25 percent of C gel batteries have a higher acceptance rate of as much as 30 percent AGM batteries accept the highest charging amps, as much as 40 percent of C.
Electric Outboard Motor Battery Charging
The good news is that most electric outboard motors can be fully charged overnight. So its convenient and wont impede your schedule.
Some reputable electric outboard motor manufacturers like ePropulsion also feature quick charging that can cut down the charging time in half.
Solar charging is also possible, you can discharge and charge the battery at the same time meaning you can extend the range of your boat on sunny days
Extra tip: If you are a sailing enthusiast, be sure to check out the electric outboard motors that come with hydrogeneration, like the ePropulsion Evo Series. It takes advantage of the wind energy to charge its batteries while sailing, so you can have extra power for an extended range of sailing or charging other facilities on board.
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Electric Outboard Motor Price
Electric outboards are interesting but I dont understand why they cost more than a petrol outboard.
Think about the challenges of battery size vs range in electric outboard motors:
The electric outboard boat motor needs a large battery capacity especially if you are planning for a long trip.
Given that the batteries have lower energy density compared to petrol and a boat is around 5 to 10 times less efficient in energy economy compared to a similar weight car, youll need a lot of energy stored on the electric outboard motor to push the boat along.
And the batteries are expensive.
Another reason is that the economies of scale have not kicked in yet within the industry although the electric outboard motors are getting more and more popular these days.
An exception:
Actually the 3 hp electric outboard motor outperforms the petrol outboard on price if you take the maintenance fee and fuel/electricity cost into account.
Take ePropulsion Spirit Plus, the 3 hp electric outboard motor with a built-in battery, for example:
Thats to say, with electric outboard motor Spirit 1.0 Plus, its only 3 years before the saving start. And as the service time increases, you could even save more.
So actually the electric outboard motors are a cost-effective option within a few years of use.
What Do Batteries Want
If you dont happen to have an abundance of smarts when it comes to understanding your boat’s batteries in terms of their chemistry and charging needs, it helps to have a system with the smarts built-in. Fortunately, modern smart charging options are available to make proper care of batteries almost goof-proof.
We have onboard battery chargers, portable battery chargers and combination inverter/battery chargers for any size or style of boat. To find out more about chargers that are combined with a power inverter, see our West Advisor, Do-it-Yourself: Selecting an Inverter or Inverter/Charger.
This makes it difficult to recommend precise charging voltages, since they vary according to the temperature of the battery. Most of us generally operate our boats in temperatures between 50°F and 90°F, and the values used in our West Advisors reflect that. Higher temperatures require lower voltages, and lower temperatures require higher voltages. Note: In the following section, we define the capacity of the battery bank as C.
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Be Ready For The Season With Interstate Marine Batteries
High quality and unparalleled service make Interstate the preferred brand of marine batteries. Whether you need a battery for deep-cycling, starting or a combination of the two, Interstate has you covered. Get the durability and longevity youre looking for when the water is calling.
Browse our marine batteries or use the battery wizard above to find the best battery for your application.
Whether youre sailing the ocean or ripping it up in a motorboat, Interstate has a wide selection of marine starting batteries in various sizes. Theyre built to withstand the most rugged marine conditions. You can spend more time having fun and less time worrying about your battery.
Interstates marine deep-cycle batteries are the most popular line of marine batteries and offer strong, reliable power. This type of battery is used to start the motor power your trolling motor and power your other accessories like fish-finders whether your engine is running or not.
Originally developed for military tanks and submarines, Interstate’s marine AGM line packs the staying power of our best deep-cycle battery with the high-cranking performance your boat needs.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT BATTERIES
Get ready to rip it up with our top quality batteries built to withstand the most rugged conditions on the water.
M LINE MARINE BATTERIES
Electric Outboard Motor For Boat: Final Thoughts
With the unbeatable advantages like quietness, clean, exhaust-free, and the lower overall cost with a few years of use, electric outboard motors are gaining more popularity over time.
You will see more and more electric outboard motors for sailboats, kayak, canoe, and dinghy boats on sale and in use for the upcoming years, especially with the push of the government.
If youre interested but not sure what type and size of electric outboard motor suits you best, leave us a message on the comments and well try our best to help you find the best pick.
If you are looking for an electric outboard motor in the UK, US, NZ, Canada, Australia, or any other regions worldwide, and want a quick delivery, you may check out the local dealers and order directly from them with solid support if there is an issue coming up.
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Battery Trays For Rvs
So youre not facing any unpredictable waters but instead taking your trusty RV out for a drive or weekend away. Youve got an Ionic Lithium RV Battery on hand so youre not worried about leaky battery acid. That means you dont need a battery tray, right? Wrong!
Regardless of what kind of battery you have, you dont want it shifting around. A battery that moves around when its not supposed to can face all sorts of potential damage. This can significantly lower its life span.
With a mounting dock, an RV battery tray allows a battery to stay in place and stay connected at all times. This means no unexpected interruptions in power and no system failures.
What Is A Battery Tray And Why Do You Need One
A battery tray is exactly what it sounds like a tray to hold your battery setup secure. Its like a case for your camera or a cover for your cell phone. A battery tray is the bodyguard to your battery. It keeps it safe, secure, and grounded in one place.
If youre thinking its a gimmick, its not.
So you invested in a Lithium LiFePO4 battery for your RV. Or youve got batteries connected in series to power up your bass boat. Why not protect those batteries from unnecessary wear and tear? If you havent made the switch to lithium from lead acid, youll be worrying about toxic battery acid leaking on surfaces. Not to mention corrosion. Yet another reason to switch to lithium! But even with top notch LiFePO4 batteries, youll still want to keep them protected and in good condition. Its an investment worth protecting.
Heres what a battery tray can do:
- Help prevent damage to your batteries
- Keep your battery in place and from sliding around
- Serve as a secure place to put several batteries
And did we mention that our Ionic Battery Trays arecustom-built? Theyre available in seven sizes and come with a one year warranty.
Other Ionic Battery Tray features:
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Think About The Warranties Included
You also have to think about the included warranties when purchasing the power cell. Aside from it can keep you from buying incompetent batteries that wont be able to keep up with your needs. It will also help you save a lot of money in the future because it can reduce the maintenance cost and then it can provide a lot of benefits like manufacturers support, free repairs, and even replacements.
Following this guide will help you come up with a smart decision and pick an excellent investment for your boating needs. It will make sure the battery you are going to purchase can keep up with the demands of your boat as well as its applications. It will also make sure that you are going to get the best suitable power cell for your boat which you can consider as an excellent investment. So keep these significant aspects in mind because it will help you a lot if you are going to look for a new power cell for your boat or fishing vessel.
Battery Trays For Boats
Do I need a battery tray for my boat?
Yes! A marine battery tray is an essential component of a smooth-sailing boating adventure. Not only will a battery tray keep your battery in place under rough conditions and amidst roaring waves, itll also give you a sense of security. When a battery moves out of position, it could stop functioning. Nobody wants to lose power on the water. Or lose sleep over the regret of not investing in a marine battery tray sooner.
Not securing your battery properly could also land you in rough waters. Or out of them. If your battery isnt correctly secured, you could be sent home by the Coast Guard,
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Four Disadvantages Of An Agm Battery:
Higher cost than flooded batteries Like Gel cells, AGM batteries have a high initial cost. However, the longevity of the battery tends to outweigh this cost for most boaters.
Overcharging Sensitivity AGM batteries are even more sensitive to overcharging than Gel cells. A lot of damage occurs when overcharging a battery. This damage can fry the battery to a point of uselessness.
Capacity Decline While an AGM has a reliable lifecycle, it will lose capacity over time. Capacity is the batteries ability to hold a charge. Therefore, as an AGM discharges and recharges, its ability to hold future charges lessens. Gel cells are better at holding capacity over time.
Poor Heat Threshold AGM batteries hate the heat, so dont store or use this type of boat battery near engine bays.
Choosing The Best Battery Tray For Your Boat Or Rv
I A scenic path, forested trails, and miles of adventure in your trusty RVsounds pretty epic, huh? Thankfully your vessels powered by long-lasting and durable lithium so youre not worried about your power source as you galavant across the country. But with those sharp turns, mountain-like hills, and narrow roads, the drive can get a little wild.
While you probably have most everything strapped in and secure, you may not have given second thought to your batteries. Are they secure? Just as your RV shifts gears and goes up and down that hill, there goes your battery jostling about in the back.
Battery security is a thing. Whether youre driving between canyons or boating on your favorite lake, your battery needs to be safely secured. Battery trays are the solution. Keep reading to learn more about how a RV battery tray can help you and why a battery tray for your boat is necessary.
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The Ideal Charge Curve
Bulk phase: This is where the heavy lifting takes place. Charge at a rate up to 20 percent to 40 percent of the batteries capacity in amp hours to a voltage of about 14.6 volts . For example, a 200 amp-hour battery would be charged at 4080 amperes. This will bring the battery to about 75 percent of full charge, and is efficient since the battery accepts more current when it is discharged. AGMs require slightly different voltages, and unless there is an AGM setting, should be charged using lead-acid settings.
Acceptance phase: Maintains battery at 14.6 volts while the amperage is steadily reduced. This will restores the next 25 percent of capacity at a declining rate. Your battery can be considered fully charged if it will accept current equal to 2 percent of C at 14.6 volts .
Battery Tips For Best Performance
No matter what kind of battery chemistry you choose, follow these recommendations to get the best performance:
- Stay with one battery chemistry . Each battery type requires specific charging voltages. Mixing battery types can result in under- or over-charging. This may mean replacing all batteries on board at the same time.
- Never mix old batteries with new ones in the same bank. While it seems like this would increase your overall capacity, old batteries tend to pull down the new ones to their deteriorated level.
- Regulate charge voltages based on battery temperature and acceptance to maximize battery life and reduce charge time. Ensure that your charging system is capable of delivering sufficient amperage to charge battery banks efficiently. This generally means an alternator with an output that is 25% to 40% the capacity of your entire battery bank.
- Keep batteries clean, cool and dry.
- Check terminal connectors regularly to avoid loss of conductivity.
- Add distilled water to flooded lead acid batteries when needed. Keep them charged. Leaving them in a discharged state for any length of time will damage them and lower their capacity.
- Clean corrosion with a paste of baking soda and water.
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What Size Battery Is Best For My Boat
Ok, its time to get a bit more technical. Lets dive deeper into some of the questions we mentioned above.
What Types Of Batteries Do You Need?
Your boat will need a cranking or starting battery to start its main engine. Youll also need a deep cycle battery to power your trolling motor and electronic accessories. Add another deep cycle battery if you have dual engines.
Theres one more type of battery that can do both jobs: the dual purpose battery. But most experts agree this kind of battery doesnt do either job well. You should only choose dual purpose if your boat doesnt have enough space for more than one battery.
How Much Amperage Do You Need?
Its time to crunch the numbers! You might not enjoy mathematical equations, but trust usyoull enjoy your fishing trips much more if you calculate the AH you need to operate your vessel.
Batteries have an Ah rating. This relates to the actual battery capacity. For example, a battery rated 100Ah delivers 5 amps for 20 hours, or 100 amps for one hour. But that may not always be true, since you shouldnt discharge batteries past 50 percent of their capacity .
Carry out an Energy Audit and see what battery size will meet the energy demands of all your equipment.
Heres a simplified energy audit method:
The 8 Best Marine Batteries Of 2021
Power your boat with these top picks
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Tripsavvy / Chloe Jeong
Best Cranking :
“Delivers more power in a single burst than conventional flat-plate batteries.”
Best Cranking : Bass Pro Shops X-900 AGM Battery at Cabelas
“Stands out for its high CCA rating of 1150 amps.”
Choosing the right marine battery is a difficult task and one that takes into account several factors. The first step is to decide whether you need a cranking battery or a deep cycle battery. The formers sole job is to provide the short, sharp burst of power needed to start your inboard or outboard engine. A deep cycle battery is made to deliver a smaller amount of energy over a long period of time and is used to power your trolling motor and/or onboard electronics . Alternatively, there are some marine batteries that fulfill both purposes.
Key features to look out for include the batterys cold cranking amps or CCA , its reserve capacity , and its amp hours . There are different types of marine batteries, but the best are generally AGM or absorbed glass mat batteries.
Read on to learn more about the best marine batteries for different boating requirements.
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