Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

[Louie1956]

2001 Crestliner, 150 HPDI .

6 years ago my starting battery was replaced with a deep cycle. I do not recall why deep cycle. I think someone sold me on the fact that DC have thicker plates and are much better suited for marine use than a standard car battery.
Looks like I may be having bat problems again and am pondering shall I go with a deep cycle for that starting bat or not.

Any expert advice??

Thanks
Louie..

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

Use a marine starting battery.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

Get a nice big marine stating battery or a dual purpose marine start/deep cycle if you run lots of accessories.

BTW 6 years is pretty good lifespan for any battery. If you didn't have any issues with that one (slow cranking on the motor, hard to keep charged up etc.) then I'd be tempted to replace with the exact same model. There is no problem using a deep cycle as long as it can put out enough CCA for the motor.

Never use a car battery for a marine application.

 

[JB]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

I abandoned dual batteries for a single big dual purpose about '97. Never looked back.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

Umm, what do you think is different about them other than the cost as long as its a sealed battery?

Plate thickness and quality of construction, resistance to vibration and discharge rates greater than 10%.

There is no standard I am aware of that says a marine battery must perform to a specific set of standards. However, battery manufactures tend to produce batteries that will perform the best under the given set of circumstances with the minimum amount of production cost.

A battery with thin plates and minimal construction can last a long time in a car where it only gets discharged 5% at any given point. That same battery subjected to the shock and vibration of a marine application against pounding waves and cycling down beyond 10% DOD with not last nearly as long.

A battery labled "marine" that is built like an SLI car battery will quickly fall out of place in the market.

How many times would you buy the same battery if it failed repeatedly in a short time?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

Thicker plates tend to be used in Deep Cycle batteries, not so much in starting batteries. There is no such thing really as a "Marine" battery. My experiance, decide how much load you will be applying (cranking amps) and buy the lowest cost battery you can find meeting that requirement.

I tend to buy deep cycle batteries, but I only have a 40hp motor which has very low cranking amps requirements and the motor has no charging system.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

I have used an auto starting battery in my boat since 1980 and never had any issue.
If the batteries are going to be in the stern then I would question if it gets any more vibration than a car.

Why do I use Auto starting batteries?
1: Because they are a lot cheaper.
2: Cosco has a 3 year free replacement and a 100 month pro rated warranty.
3: Marine battery only has a 1 year free replacement and 36 month pro rated.
4: I never had any battery that did not last 6 years and most have lasted much
longer.

What kills batteries is leaving them discharged and not charging durning the offseason.

If it make you feel good to pay more then get the marine battery.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

1: Because they are a lot cheaper.

They are a lot cheaper because they are made with less material.

Cosco has a 3 year free replacement and a 100 month pro rated warranty.

This is for use in an automobile. Check your warranty and see if that same battery is covered when used in a marine application. I spose you can lie to them and say it was in a car but that's your choice.

4: I never had any battery that did not last 6 years and most have lasted much longer.

That is a good record. I've had many car batteries last 6 years, just not in a marine application.

If the batteries are going to be in the stern then I would question if it gets any more vibration than a car.

Speak for yourself, my car rides a heck of a lot smoother than my boat. If you boat on anything other than smooth as glass lake water then the boat ride it certain to provide a lot more shock and vibration to the battery. Unless you are one of the lucky few that never encounters a wave, chop or another boaters wake.

What kills batteries is leaving them discharged and not charging durning the offseason.

You are correct. Also not charging during the ON-season, discharging standard starting batteries over 10% DOD and vibration kill batteries.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

I would not put an auto starting battery in a boat. They are not at all tolerant to being discharged. If you accidentally discharge them completely 2 or 3 times they will fail completely. At least the "marine" batteries can tolerate being discharged more.

I use Costco marine batteries to start my 7.4L engine with never a problem.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

Ummmm, I can remember when there was no such thing as a recreational "marine battery". Does that mean I'm now officially old?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

Second battery has all the add on gear. VHF Radio, Loran C, GPS, Fish finder, power outlet for charger or blower to inflate raft or portable spot light.

This is your post from another thread. Are you saying you use an auto starting battery for this battery as well?

 

[Boatist]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

This is your post from another thread. Are you saying you use an auto starting battery for this battery as well?

My second battery is a Deep Cycle from Price Club when they sold Delco Voyager batteries.

My Starting battery is a group 24 starting battery.
The stern of my boat rides smother than my truck when running on dirt roads. In 4 wheel drive country my truck will make your teeth hurt some times.
In the boat we will not launch when the seas are over 8 feet and less that 8 seconds apart.
Been out in 9 foot every 6 seconds but we came in early as it was still building and not much fun.

However I not the guy you see running 40 mph is 8 foot swell and going airborn and crashing into the next swell. Instead we put the trim tabs down and run at 10 to 12 miles per hour. The bow get a lot of vibration but the stern is pretty easy riding.

Auto starting Battery has always worked good for my starting battery.

 

[Black Snow Slide]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

I just spent a bunch of time doing reaserch on batteries as I had 4 of them to replace. With about 8 hours of research hear is what I learned.

1. Acid batteries that require water are the least expensive way to go. They can last a long time if properly maintained. Drawbacks: When charging they put off a gas that can explode so well ventilation is in order. They do require distilled water in topping off cells. If you should get a leak in the battery you have acid all over the bottom of the boat or in bilge. They are most receptive to failure due to vibration.

2. Gel battery are maintenance free more suitable for the environment of marine life. They also cant be mounted sideways or in knocked over sideways no acid can spill. Drawbacks: They are touchy when it comes to chargeing them. You need a charger that has a gel setting and will turn its self to trickle when charged. Over charging can shorten the life of a gel battery. Gel Battery are usually in the middle price point area.

3. AGM battery (Absorbent Glass Material) are the best and most expensive out there. They are dry, maintenance free, mount any way you would like, Can be charged more like a acid battery, Can be discharged deeper and recover better then other styles of deep cycle batteries. Downside they are the most expensive.

I went with the AGM Diehard marine batteries. I considered Optima but the local dealer wanted close to 300 per battery. The Diehard had a 3 year garentee full replacement and for 200 dollars it seemed fair. It is a combo battery of start and deep cycle. In the continues amp draw test the Die Hard out lasted all but the Haster brand.. whoever they are.

Good luck with your decision. Hope I was a help.

 

[findinghomer]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

Never use a car battery for a marine application.

i have a dual purpose battery that works great for deep cycling, however occasionally i run it too low for starting. i was thinking of buying a cheap auto battery for backup starting only. dont see why this would cause any issues?

 

[skargo]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

i have a dual purpose battery that works great for deep cycling, however occasionally i run it too low for starting. i was thinking of buying a cheap auto battery for backup starting only. dont see why this would cause any issues?

It wouldn't! I use a standard starting battery of the correct CCA etc for my starting needs, and a "dual purpose" battery for my house battery. Works great, I always have power when I need it.

 

[findinghomer]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

It wouldn't! I use a standard starting battery of the correct CCA etc for my starting needs, and a "dual purpose" battery for my house battery. Works great, I always have power when I need it.

thats good to hear. i always carry a jump pack with me too. but figured , hey why not just get a cheap auto battery so i dont have to jump it every time i kill the battery. on a similar note, any idea how many cranking amps i would need for a 125 outboard?

 

[skargo]

Re: Deep Cycle or Starting Battery?

thats good to hear. i always carry a jump pack with me too. but figured , hey why not just get a cheap auto battery so i dont have to jump it every time i kill the battery. on a similar note, any idea how many cranking amps i would need for a 125 outboard?

I use my start battery to start, then run to where I'm going. The I switch to my house battery while anchored. The I start on the start battery, and switch to both for the ride home to top them both off. Seems to work great!

I have no idea what battery is required for your OB though.