Best Battery Type

[Bloodreddeuce]

I run a 2001 Sea Fox 230 Walkaround with Twin 115's Johnson's. I run GPS, VHF and radio and running lights during the evening. My question is...what is the best type of batteries I should use. A Deep Cycle Marine or just a regular battery. I am currenly running twin regular batteries and they do not seem to keep a charge for a long period of time. Nothing wrong with charging system. So before I go out and buy new would like some opinions please.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[cuzner]

Re: Best Battery Type

Actualy you should have both.... one for starting only, the other for elctronics, of course you will need a swich to keep them seperate.I,ve been doing alot of research on this question, I'm getting tired of replacing batteries. The easiest explanation is the way they are built. Starting batteries have thinner plates to give give you high cranking amps you need to start your engine. They discharge quiker than deep cycle, and don't like to discharged more than 80% full.A "dead" starting battery will only come back to life a few times.Deep cycle can be drained 300 times or more and still take a full charge. As far as type of battery, I've decide to pay the extra money and get agm batteries. I,m sure there are others here who have more experience, but I just spent the afternoon pricing agm s.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[JB]

Re: Best Battery Type

Get dual purpose batteries for both.

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: Best Battery Type

get a starting battery ,,,and a pair of 6 volt golf cart batterys .....the golf cart batterys have lots of juice/ amp hours in them...

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Best Battery Type

What JB said. But you're only running electronics and nav lights. They don't draw much. Pumps do. You shouldn't be having a problem, even with Regular Duty starting batteries.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: Best Battery Type

I keep two dual purpose (cranking and deep cycle) on a selector switch. Start the engine with both on, run with both on, and upon arrival, switch to one for my deep cycle use; this keeps one fully charged just in case. Just have to remember to switch to both. At one time I did keep a starting battery and a deep cycle, but that only leaves you with one cranking battery. But heck, I am an overdoer, I also carry a portable rechargable jump starter "just in case". As far as the type goes, go with the best you can afford. I have always had good luck with Stowaway (sp?); they are readily available and in my experience will last for a couple of years of routine use.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Best Battery Type

With your set up I think you can use either a dual purpose or a group 27 deep cycle. Your motors do not require a starting current that a group 27 deep cycle could not supply. I would get what ever is cheaper.<br /><br />One thing that I would do is make sure each motor starts off it own battery. This way you have total back up. I would also install a battery switch between batteries just in case one battery get run down. This way should one be too run down to start motor you can charge the battery from the other motor. I would leave switch in the off position all the time unless I had a dead battery.