Battery replacement?

[Dark Age 53]

My son has put up boat for the winter and will be replacing the three batteries in the spring, what brand of battery would you guys suggest and do you using a cranking battery for the accessories or a deep cycle battery? Thanks

 

[Ms. Mymoney]

Depends, what are the batteries used for? If they are just used to start engines and a genset then normal starting batteries can be used.

If you don't run a generator and these batteries are used as a house power supply you do not want to run them down and then charge them up. That is hard on starting batteries.

A deep cycle battery however is suited for just this. If you want it to do both then they make dual purpose batteries however you will have best results keeping the batteries and their responsibilities separated.

 

[northern]

There are a lot of theads on this
Tell us how many batteries in the boat, size, type, how you use them. IE do they run inverter (make 120 volt power on hook) do they run 12 volt refigerator and for how may days.

 

[Dark Age 53]

There are a lot of theads on this
Tell us how many batteries in the boat, size, type, how you use them. IE do they run inverter (make 120 volt power on hook) do they run 12 volt refigerator and for how may days.

Thanks for the replies guys,

I can tell you there's three batteries, one for each engine and the other I believe is used for accessories....other then that info I given you I'm clueless about boats.

 

[Hampton]

I would run 3 Optima Blue Top Deep Cycle Batteries and be done with it (or equivalent AGM battery). They are completely maintenance free, and are lead acid batteries like the originals, so you will not need to change out your battery charger(s). They have plenty of cranking amps, yet can stand to be run down from use on the house accessories. They cost double the amount of the originals, but there is a reason for it.

 

[270win]

Other than Optima, which is a top notch battery, I would recommend Interstate Marine batteries, two for cranking and one deep cycle for the house accessories.

 

[MonacoMike]

I would run 3 Optima Blue Top Deep Cycle Batteries and be done with it (or equivalent AGM battery). They are completely maintenance free, and are lead acid batteries like the originals, so you will not need to change out your battery charger(s). They have plenty of cranking amps, yet can stand to be run down from use on the house accessories. They cost double the amount of the originals, but there is a reason for it.

That's the ticket to easy... I love mine...

MM

 

[northern]

I use two group 27 lead acid deep cycle batteries as start batteries per engine. On set runs all the 12 volt system the other is 100% for starting one engine. When using batteries on the hook it is wise to not use one of them so you can always start an engine if you run down the batteries used to run the 12 volt systems.
Does the boat have an inverter that puts out 120 volts when the generatoris not running?

 

[Phlorida]

After I replaced my batteries with Optima Blue Tops I never thought about batteries again. I run two group 31's that I bought at a local auto parts store that was having a 25% off sale. I've heard good things about other brands such as Sears Diehard.

 

[moparlvr4406]

being a guy that tows still...
I do ONLY Interstate ...not that the others are bad in any way
but seems every marina on earth carries the Interstate brand and can honor thier warranty
if they have a problem

 

[270win]

being a guy that tows still...
I do ONLY Interstate ...not that the others are bad in any way
but seems every marina on earth carries the Interstate brand and can honor thier warranty
if they have a problem

I was wondering if that was the case everywhere else or just here in Jawga...

 

[tcason]

I installed two DieHard Platinum Automotive Battery Group Size 34 in March 2011 - they have 4 year warranty and 100 month pro-rated warranty.

Doing a comparison of amps etc I could not determine a difference between Sears marine and auto battery except color of case and warranty.

No issues on batteries after two seasons (150 hours).

 

[Paladin]

I have two Interstate Marines which still seem perfect after at least four years, maybe even much older. I've had the boat for about three years..
My promariner charger still loves them.

 

[JVM225]

I have 3 Interstate Deep Cycle/Starting batteries.
Min is still set up the same way Sea Ray did it back in 87. Two batteries hooked up to Stbd motor that run everything and start that motor. Either one or both do the same job.
One battery for the port motor that does nothing other than start that motor.

 

[carterchapman]

My 410 has Optima Blue Tops that Dom installed last year. I put Sears Platinum Marine AGM Deep Cycles in the 340 last year and they have worked great as well. Twice the cost, but they will last twice the time and no maintenance.

 

[Hampton]

I installed two DieHard Platinum Automotive Battery Group Size 34 in March 2011 - they have 4 year warranty and 100 month pro-rated warranty.

Doing a comparison of amps etc I could not determine a difference between Sears marine and auto battery except color of case and warranty.

No issues on batteries after two seasons (150 hours).

I believe the difference is that the marine have marine-style fittings for cable attachment, and cost about double (exaggeration).

 

[Nehalennia]

I have 1 Grp 27 Interstate deep cycle for the starting #1 batt and 2 Costco 6V golf cart batts for the house #2 side. It's been a great set-up.

 

[thompsdw]

Second on the Sears Platinum batteries. They are made by Odyssey. The batteries they put in military vehicles. Not cheap, but I have used them in jet skis for years and you just can't kill em.

 

[AKBASSKING]

I have the same set up with 3 batteries. Two start and one house. I bought Wal-Mart batteries. 2 marine start and one deep cycle marine. The start batteries are almost 4 years old, I think I paid $38 each at the time and i will be replacing my house battery this week which is about 3 years old ($84). I considered two 6vdc golf cart batteries for house batteries, but they are about $110 each and I am not sure I have the room for them.

I do recommend you put any lead acid battery in a battery box.

 

[rcknecht]

I had an OPTIMA blue go bad on me after one season on my Sundeck, so I can't recommend them. I use Diehard Marine group 27s batteries.. They are good and not too expensive. I expect to get 5 years out them. The group 31s are better, but more expensive. I hear interstates are good and their company is very good. I basically went for low price...