Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

[s2gots]

So, as the title says, is it necessary? I have a brand new regualar 12 volt battery in the garage. Will be much more useful in my boat than in the garage!

88 4winns horizon 200

 

[Shife]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

What is the application? Different tools for different jobs.

Call me psychic, but I get the feeling that all you need is a basic marine starting battery. To understand why, read this:

http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/assets/base/0149.pdf

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

No not necessarily. Do you have one battery or two? Do you have fish finders, mega stereo gear, etc. on board? A standard batt will work but is usually not as durable as a marine starting battery. Deep cycles fare better with electronics and refrigerators and such. If you've got this kind of stuff, I'd recommend installing an additional battery (which safety-wise I'd recommend anyway) and a battery switch.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

A deep cycle battery is made specifically to be discharged and recharged many times where a normal battery isn't.

But since you have one is your garage you are right, it is silly to go buy another one, it will be fine, you just won't get as many cycles out of it as you would a deep cycle.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

As long as you aren't running electric motors (livewells, trolling,fans, ect) all the time you'll be fine. With electronics you usually know when the battery is dead because they quit working. And normally people shut the electronics offf when this happens so a real deep discharge doesn't occur and they can be charged back up without problem for a lot of cycles. Motors on the other hand don't quit, they just run slower so a deep discharge occurs if not shut off. A starting battery will not handle this well for very long. But if the options are let a new battery sit and go bad in the garage or use it for the wrong application and ruin it by using it for the summer, I'd get some use out of it.

On a safety note consider the repercussions if the battery goes bad on the water. For most it would be nothing more than an inconvienence, but for some it could mean a serious situation.

 

[rndn]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

You really need to tell us what you are going to operate with the battery. If you're going to run an electric trolling motor then you will need a deep cycle battery. If you're going to use it as a starting battery then you're better off using a regular(not deep cycle) battery.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

Sorry to derail this a bit, but it seems like it has been answered.

Are all "marine batteries" deep cycle batteries? I just bought a everstart battery that only says "Everstar Marine".... just curious if it is a deep cycle or not. I will only be running fish finder and radio.

 

[rndn]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

Sorry to derail this a bit, but it seems like it has been answered.

Are all "marine batteries" deep cycle batteries? I just bought a everstart battery that only says "Everstar Marine".... just curious if it is a deep cycle or not. I will only be running fish finder and radio.

2 things, first the original question is
"So, as the title says, is it necessary? I have a brand new regualar 12 volt battery in the garage. Will be much more useful in my boat than in the garage!"
The queston is whether or not the OP needs a deep cycle battery, not a marine battery.
Second, please don't hijack threads, if you have a question, start your own post.

 

[s2gots]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

I have two batteries on the boat with a switch. They are both deep cycle. One is for cranking the engine, and the other to run stereo,(which isnt anything monsterous) & fish finder. When I run the boat, I usually leave the battery switch "on" for both batteries. I usually only turn the switch on the cranking battery "Off" if im going to anchor the boat to fish for a while, or just hang out on the water and have the stereo on. Both batteries are still good, just a bit old. My only reason for wanting to swap one of the batteries on the boat with the new one is because its a new battery!
From what I understand, its better to install the regualr 12 volt on the engine side, and leave the deep cycle for my stereo and fish finder?

Thanks for all the replys!!!

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

Your setup now is right. Someone will chime in as I don't know about I/O's but on outboards I would put the switch so that when on the water the only battery charging would be the starting battery, just because of the low charging rate of outboards but I/O are probably better. And also when you use equipment on the water you will still be able to start the boat if the deep cycle goes bad. I'd just make sure you stick a charger on the one in the garage once a month and it should stay good until you need it. Keep it off the concrete, the cold is really hard on them.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

It has been my experience that so called "marine" batteries are a waste of money. I have been getting 4 years out of standard off the shelf Autozone car batteries with post adapters. Prior to that the marine batteries were costing double and last half as long. I have a basic SeaRay runabout outboard. No trolling.

 

[Captain Ben]

Re: Do I have to use Deep Cycle battery?

If you replace one battery, you may want to replace them both. If you are running them in parallel, as is the case in most 1/2/both/off switch's (in both pos), having different batteries (older with newer or different models) may cause reverse current in to a battery and cause an unsafe or battery degrading condition.