Battery...Marine Starting or Deep Cycle?

[Oshkosh1]

In my previous thread it was discovered that my battery is more useful as a doorstop...so it's off to find a new one.

What do I need?

What are the differences(other than price)between the "Marine Starting", and the "Marine Deep Cell"?

Mine is used primarily for starting...however I do run a stereo/700W amp while at anchor at the local sandbar, but not usually for more than an hour, (*I'm NOT pushing 700watts out the speakers either!*) before I'm pulling a tube.

It seems the Deep Cell is more useful to a fishing boat to run high-draw trolling motors...
A Starting may not have the reserve...
So is there a hybrid of the two somewhere?

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Battery...Marine Starting or Deep Cycle?

The Marine Starting/Deep Cycle is a compromise that gives you a higher CCA rating while still maintaining some of the usefull characteristics of a deep cycle.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Battery...Marine Starting or Deep Cycle?

Go with the largest marine STARTING battery that you can fit. I changed mine from a group 24 to a group 27 and just put in a new battery tray to hold it. My other suggestion is to get a good battery maintainer and keep it plugged in 24/7/365 if you can.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Battery...Marine Starting or Deep Cycle?

Go with the largest marine STARTING battery that you can fit. I changed mine from a group 24 to a group 27 and just put in a new battery tray to hold it. My other suggestion is to get a good battery maintainer and keep it plugged in 24/7/365 if you can.

Good ideas...I've got a float charger but usally only use it when out of the boat and stored in the basement for the extended winter puratory here in NE Wi.!

 

[IanFS]

Re: Battery...Marine Starting or Deep Cycle?

I'm in the UK.....we are usually seperated by the same language used in a different way but I may be able to help, we'll see, here goes.

In the UK we have Car Batteries/Cranking Batteries they are the same thing. As you may be aware a Cranking battery is what it says on the can, it's a battery which will deliver an exceptional amount of current (amps) very quickly in order to turn an engine over. These batteries have thin lead plates immersed in an acid (electrolyte) and will only discharge down by approx 15%, to 85% of its capacity and then they go flat. If this happens too many times the plates often buckle and the battery is U/S (unservicable).

A Deep Cycle battery historically is a battery with very thick plates immersed in an electrolyte which will delivery a good current for a long period of time and is capable of discharging down to about 25% of it's capacity before going flat. It is then capable of a recharge (this is a cycle) and this can happen many times more than a cranking battery. Original Deep Cycle batteries were not good when it came to Cold Cranking.

In the last 30yrs battery manufacturers have recognised the Leisure Industry requirements for a combination of the two types and in the UK we have what are called Leisure Batteries which are used for both boats and caravans. They have thicker plates than Cranking Batteries but are thinner than Deep Cycle batteries. They are more expensive than Cranking batteries because of their build but they will discharge down to approx 50% before they are flat and they will crank out a high output of current (amps) to start an engine.

Depending on battery you already have for cranking... i.e 90 amp/hr or similar this will give you 90amps for an hour before going flat. If you were to run your Stereo at full capacity for 2 hours it might draw 116 amps at 12 volts but a lot depends on your speakers and amp, but for arguements sake it would drain your battery. However I suspect you only ever have it to about 1/3rd capacity, consequently you would have at least 6hrs use if not more, before draining the battery.

I would say therefore that you do not have a problem. However if you want to play safe, why not fit a second battery to run accessories from, it's a simple solution. Oh and thats a great idea...the one about having an Intelligent Charger, lead acid batteries self discharge when not in use, an Intelligent Charger will keep your battery in tip top condition.