For example, a properly charged and maintained, premium wet-cell battery is capable of as many as 1,000 discharge/recharge cycles. This is the most popular battery type, primarily because the price is generally less than other types, but also because these batteries have a number of inherent advantages. ![]() Each wet-cell battery contains a liquid mixture of sulfuric acid and distilled water (usually referred to as "battery acid"). Each type has pros and cons you should know before making a purchase.Ībout Wet-Cell Boat Batteries: The traditional lead-acid batteries we all are familiar with are wet-cell or "flooded-cell" batteries. Wet Cell, Gel or AGM Boat Battery?īatteries can be further categorized as wet cell, gel or AGM (absorbed glass mat), depending on the configuration of the electrolyte, or conducting medium, inside the battery. Bear in mind, however, most dual-purpose batteries won't start an engine quite as well as a true cranking battery and won't endure as many deep discharge/recharge cycles as a dedicated deep-cycle model. If your boat is small, however, and there's only room for one battery due to space or weight restrictions, consider buying a dual-purpose marine battery that handles starting and cycling. It's usually best to install separate cranking and deep-cycle batteries. Dual-Purpose Batteriesīass Pro Shops® XPS® Pro Qualifier® AGM Dual-Purpose 120 Marine Battery delivers up to 775 cold cranking amps for engine starting, plus full deep-cycle performance for running a trolling motor and accessories. The inherent design strengths of each battery type also are their weaknesses in opposite applications.Įxtra Tip: About Marine & Boat Battery Maintenance 3. You could get stranded with an engine that won't run. A deep-cycle battery substituted for a cranking battery, on the other hand, may not provide the power needed to start your outboard. If you use a cranking battery to power your trolling motor, for instance, the battery will soon overheat and fail, leaving you without power and requiring you to buy a new battery. No Substitutions: The key thing to remember when purchasing cranking and deep-cycle battery types is not to substitute one for the other. A deep-cycle battery also can withstand several hundred discharge/recharge cycles, while a cranking battery is not designed to be totally discharged. Typically, a deep-cycle battery will have two or three times the RC of a cranking battery. The higher the RC number, the longer the battery will power your accessories. These deep discharges are hard on battery plates, so a deep-cycle battery like the Bass Pro Shops XPS 12-Volt Deep Cycle Marine Battery have fewer yet thicker lead plates than cranking batteries and are built to withstand deep cycling.Ī deep-cycle battery's reserve capacity (RC) rating indicates how long it can carry a specific load before falling into the dead zone. Batteries that power them usually aren't recharged until the end of the day. Trolling motors and other accessories sip power at a slower rate for extended periods. Check your engine's manual for its recommended MCA/CA rating before shopping for a battery, and always choose a battery with a rating equal to or greater than the recommended value. And if you're using a newer model outboard with sophisticated computers, pumps and sensors that don't take kindly to being underpowered, you certainly don't want to scrimp on starting power. The marine cranking amp (MCA), or just cranking amp (CA), rating found on a battery's label measures a battery's starting power. When the engine is running, the battery is quickly replenished by the alternator. For this reason, cranking batteries are made with thinner, more numerous lead plates. A battery with more surface area on the lead plates inside it delivers more fast power than one with less plate surface. Cranking Boat BatteriesĮngine cranking requires lots of power in a short burst. ![]() Dual-purpose batteries that can perform both these functions to some extent also are available. There are two basic types of 12-volt batteries: 1) cranking, or starting, batteries, which are designed to start your main engine, and 2) deep-cycle batteries, which are used to power electrical accessories such as trolling motors, fish-finders and radios. Understanding the different types of marine boat batteries available and their applications will help you select the right one to power your rig. With this handy buyer's guide, however, you'll have easily understandable information at your fingertips so you can choose a battery ideal for the tasks at hand. Many types are available, each with a different purpose, and each with various advantages and disadvantages. ![]() You may be asking questions like "What type of battery is used for a trolling motor"? or, What is a deep cycle battery"?. Selecting a new 12-volt marine battery for your boat can be a daunting task for first-time buyers.
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