Buying a boat battery is not as simple as buying a battery for your car. After all, a boat requires two batteries for starting and running the boat. Here are a few things that you need to know when purchasing a boat battery so that you get the right one.
What Size Battery Do You Get?
The way that you identify the size of the battery is by the group number, which all boat batteries will have. The group number will then have some letters next to it, which tells you the terminal post locations as well as if it's a deep cycle or starting battery. However, you just want to focus on the number, with the bigger number being a bigger battery. If you want the biggest battery you can get, see what is the biggest battery size that is compatible with your boat.
One thing to keep in mind is that you always run your accessories off your starter battery. This means that you should keep that in mind when looking at your total power needs, since those accessories do not run off the deep cycle battery. You may need to get a more powerful starter battery to run those additional accessories.
Is a Lithium-Ion Battery Worth It?
One of the latest technologies in boat batteries is lithium-ion batteries. You are going to pay more for this type of battery, but you may find that it is worth it for several reasons. Lithium-ion batteries are going to be much lighter than the other batteries available, which has a long-term effect on your fuel usage since every pound you are carrying on that boat matters. In addition, lithium-ion batteries can go through many more charge cycles before they need to be replaced, which is great for someone that is on their boat all the time and has gone through a couple of batteries before. The biggest downside is the slower charging speed, but you must determine if that disadvantage is worth it for all the advantages it provides.
What Is The Key Difference Between Lead, Gel, and AMG Batteries?
Of the other batteries available, know that a lead battery is going to be very affordable at the cost of performing more maintenance over time. Gel batteries are more durable and can withstand the impacts of rough waters, but you will need a special charger to recharge them. AGM batteries do not have problems with terminal corrosion but are known to have a shorter life expectancy.