deep cycle or starting battery?

[simple]

I'm thinking about getting a new battery this summer for the Bayliner. I'm thinking I should get a marine starting battery, as I don't run many accessories other than the radio and maybe the lights. Even when I run these items it's not for very long. Any thoughts?

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: deep cycle or starting battery?

What kind of battery is in the boat now? Did it work ok? If it worked ok the same type of battery should be fine. Most marine starting batteries have some deep cycle traits as a compromise knowing most boats have some accessories to run. Only when you get into fridges, vhf's, chart plotters, radars, microwaves, tv's and spend long times anchoring or drifting with the engine off will your power demands go up enough to warrant a true deep cycle house bank.

 

[OBJ]

Re: deep cycle or starting battery?

I'd say get as good a marine starting battery as the pocket book will allow. Knotty is right...if you got a lot of accessories you use a lot, a bank of deep cycles would be needed. <br /><br />But if your a weekend boater and don't run a bunch of Accessories, a good starting battery would do you just fine. Trojan makes several real good starting batteries. Take a look around. There's plenty out there.

 

[MRS]

Re: deep cycle or starting battery?

simple get the biggest starting battery in your price range. I run a fish finder all day and the lights at night about maybe two hours max it works great. But you have to take care of your battery and it will take care of you I pull mine every 3 or 4 months of the year and give it a charge and only add distilled water if it needs water.

 

[simple]

Re: deep cycle or starting battery?

Originally posted by KnottyBuoyz:<br /> What kind of battery is in the boat now? Did it work ok? If it worked ok the same type of battery should be fine.

Thanks for the replies so far. I have an Exide starting battery currently.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: deep cycle or starting battery?

If the starting battery is the ONLY battery, I'd suggest you buy a jump-start pack just in case you do run the battery down.

 

[dingbat]

Re: deep cycle or starting battery?

I would go with a Dual Pupose battery and get the biggest one that will fit in the compartment.