What are marine batteries?
Marine batteries are specialty starter and deep-cycle batteries designed for use in boats and other water-based recreational equipment. They are used in place of traditional lead-acid automotive batteries and utilize features that maintain the specific requirements of your boat's engine and operating systems. Some marine batteries protect against harsh operating conditions, including vibration and high temperatures, and feature maintenance-free plate configurations that limit battery corrosion and fluid depletion.
What are the different types of marine batteries?
There are three basic types: starter, deep cycle and dual purpose. Each has a specific job to do.
1) Starter battery. This type of marine battery starts your boat's engine. It's also known as a cranking battery. Starter batteries "generate" a significant amount of power in a short period of time. However, it won't keep your engine running. That's a job for the next battery on this list.
2) Deep-cycle battery. These batteries have thicker plates than starter batteries. These plates allow them to provide stable and consistent power. You can charge and discharge them for many cycles. They are ideal for keeping your trolling motor running and powering your lights, GPS, fish finder, etc.
3) Dual Purpose Marine Battery. As its name suggests, this battery can perform the functions of both a starter battery and a deep-cycle battery. But like certain "generalists," dual-purpose batteries have a reputation for being "good at nothing." Some won't provide enough power to start certain engines. Others will last far fewer cycles than typical deep-cycle batteries. The one exception is lithium batteries. Both our 12V 100Ah and 12V 125Ah batteries are dual purpose!
Marine Battery Chemistry: Flooded, AGM, Gel and Lithium
Before discussing how long you can expect your deep-cycle batteries to last, we need to discuss the different battery chemistries currently available.
1) Flooded
The oldest and most widely used battery in the marine and automotive industries is the wet cell. Wet cell batteries are commonly referred to as flooded batteries. These batteries use lead plates, a sulfuric acid electrolyte, and plate separators to store energy. They are the least expensive type of battery on the market and are not susceptible to overcharging. Wet-cell batteries also have certain disadvantages. They are heavy batteries, with some weighing well over 50 pounds.
They are also quite bulky, requiring dedicated storage space to accommodate them. Some wet-cell batteries also require maintenance, requiring additional fluid to be added to maintain levels. They can also leak fluids and are sensitive to vibration. Although wet-cell batteries have their drawbacks, they have provided millions of wonderful days on the water at an affordable price.
2) AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
The Absorbed Glass Mat battery, commonly referred to as AGM, is a type of battery that has a fiberglass mat separating the lead plates inside.
These glass mats hold an electrolyte solution between the lead plates. Unlike the wet cell battery, which can leak and spill, the AGM is completely sealed and requires no maintenance. It's also designed to withstand vibration better than a wet cell. It does have two disadvantages. It is heavier than a wet-cell battery, and it is much more susceptible to damage from overcharging.
3) Gel
The gel cell battery uses a thick paste to separate its battery plates. It's similar to the AGM in many ways, such as being maintenance-free, spill-proof, and leak-proof. It also has drawbacks. It's expensive, prone to damage from overcharging, and doesn't have the same capacity as AGM batteries of similar size.
4) Lithium Ion
The lithium ion battery is the newest type of battery to enter the boat market. They're amassing a great deal of popularity and for good reasons. They offer remarkable size, capacity, and durability. They're approximately 60 percent lighter than comparable capacity conventional batteries. They also occupy much less space, leaving more room for storage. Lithium ion batteries can also be discharged completely without any loss of performance.
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