Boat Battery Questions - Cranking

[dingbat]

Good write up on the technical and marketing aspects of batteries.

What is a Deep Cycle Battery? - Marine How To

Light Cycle vs. Deeper Cycle NOTE: This article deals with FLOODED marine batteries, not AGM or GEL batteries. The Problem: The problem, as I see it, is one of dishonest marketing where multiple battery types wear the same clothes (sticker) and will perform differently when

marinehowto.com

 

[cyclops222]

Duration is all about how much Lead is in the battery.
Maximum cranking amps is all about plate surface area.
Never changes.

 

[Lou C]

I have used GP 27 dual purpose batteries from Deka about 20 years, they last an average of about 7 seasons….

 

[airshot]

Personally, I only use Dual Purpose. It's worked for me for 50 years.

If I ONLY got 5-6 years out of a battery, I would seriously look at what I was doing.

If your getting more than 6 years out of a battery, you are a lucky man, way above average for battery life overall. According to mfgr averages...cheaper batteries avg life 2-3 years. Better quality batteries avg 3-5 years and so called premium batteries avg 4-6 year life span. At one time I had a Die Hard battery last over 7 years and still going strong, just replaced it rather than get stranded. It worked as a spare for another two years after. It was not the normal by any means, according to Sears at that time, the overall average life span was 4-6 years. Up until the LifePO4 batteries, battery life spans has not changed much in the past couple decades with lead type batteries.

 

[dingbat]

If your getting more than 6 years out of a battery, you are a lucky man, way above average for battery life overall. According to mfgr averages...cheaper batteries avg life 2-3 years. Better quality batteries avg 3-5 years and so called premium batteries avg 4-6 year life span.

For a starting battery, I would agree.

Deep cycle batteries are much more robust. Reason why I switched everything except my daily driver over to Deep Cycle years ago.

Replaced the last set of deep cycles (AC Delco RV) on the boat at 10 years of age as PM. It wasn't until I went to replace them that I found out nobody makes lead acid deep cycles batteries anymore. All I could find where Dual Purpose batteries being marketed as deep cycle batteries.

Same physical size (grp 27) though noticeably lighter. Now CCA rated but with a noticeably reduced AH rating.......88 AH verse 120 AH for the old batteries. A 25% reduction in capacity.

Going on year 4 now. Threw the charger on them the other day in preparation of Spring start-up. Almost 50% discharged after sitting 3 months. My old deep cycles would drop maybe 25-30% in the same time period. We will see

 

[cyclops222]

T he winter months create LEAD RUST in the cell plates. Why a GREAT trickle charger is a battery saver. I designed 7 small trickle chargers that are set to 13. 7 vdc. Small I C chips batteries last into 10 or more years. Just add water every 5 or so years. If needed.

 

[cyclops222]

Easy way to see if a battery is better than the rest. Compare the WEIGHT of the battery. Same size number. The heaviest has the most lead.

.

 

[JimS123]

The battery in my last boat was 8 years old when I sold the boat and it had no signs of going bad. My current 2 boat's batteries are 7 and 8 years old and based on my monthly maintenance regimen they are still good. My jetski battery is 9 years old, and still good, though it is an AGM so that may be a difference.

I have an old classic car that had a Die Hard in it. I only drive the car 100 miles or so a year on Cruise nights, and maintain the battery the same as with my boats. A few years ago I was doing the Spring charge and I had a thought....maybe she needs a new one this year, even though it shows no bad signs. I checked the car maintenance log and it was 24 years old. Wholly crap. I replaced it just because.

HOW you maintain is key. Also, maybe a Wally battery ain't the best choice.

 

[airshot]

My neighbor has a dozen or so high performance Molar classic hotrods. They only get driven on occasion and in nice weather. He keeps his batteries on a maintainer, one for each battery and he can get 8-10 years from a battery as well. On his daily drivers, no way, about 6 years tops. Same for me, my occasionally used toys give me 6 plus years on those batteries, but only 4 -5 at best on daily drivers. According to battery manufacturer stats, that is about right, lighter used batteries always last longer as they tend to get more care and maintenence....

 

[airshot]

T he winter months create LEAD RUST in the cell plates. Why a GREAT trickle charger is a battery saver. I designed 7 small trickle chargers that are set to 13. 7 vdc. Small I C chips batteries last into 10 or more years. Just add water every 5 or so years. If needed.

The battery mfgrs call that sulfation on the plates, this is the reason for using a maintainer when the battery us not in use. I bought a small deep cycle wheelchair battery for my granddaughters big wheel electric toy. About the size of an ATV battery but more power and sealed. That was over15 years back, after outgrowing the big wheel toy, I use that same battery, for my power lawn sprayer, and my trolling motor to spray my pond chemicals. Also use it for my 12v fuel pump for cleaning fuel tanks, just about anything I need a small 12v battery for. That battery sits on a maintainer whenever it is not in use. Bought off Amazon for 38 bucks shipped to my door, no loss in performance to date. Battery is just shy of 16 years, instructions say dispose of battery after 5 years of service. Why ?

 

[Pmt133]

I have a 21 year old starting battery from the boat in the skid steer. Works alright but the reserve capacity isn't what it used to be. The 33 likes to eat batteries even with the smart charger. About 5 years is all I get though... I do think a group 27 may be light for a diesel though that's how volvo rigged them. The tractor is on its 3rd battery in 25 years and that doesn't even get a trickle charger over the winter. My dailys... 5 years. I abuse them too much. The waverunner batteries never last. Maintainer charge or not its 3 years like clockwork...