Marine Battery or Car Battery?

Breezer · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 246 City: Austin

Can I buy a battery at Wal-Mart for my boat? Or do I have to spend big bucks for a marine battery? I have the standard 310 hp Indmar inboard engine.

Are they the same or what?

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

The main difference is marine batteries are deep cycle batteries. They are designed to be drained a lot more then car batteries, like when you park your boat and chill with the radio on. Car batteries are never meant to be drained that much, other than that it doesn't matter. A car battery will work, but if you spend a lot of time with your engine off using accessaries you should get a marine deep cycle battery.

Nick
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THINKMILL

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

if you do get a marine battery make sure it makes enough cranking amps for your motor/starter. wally mart and advance auto parts have a two year no questions asked return policy. you can't beat that.

Breezer · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 246 City: Austin

Thanks guys. Wal Mart car battery it is. It will only be a second battery anyways. Just in case my first one dies while on the water.

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

The Wally World (N)Ever Start battery will leave you stranded. They are questionable in car applications, but in a boat they are not sufficient. It may be OK for a second battery, but they can't handle the vibration of a boat, the plates break up and short. When you get ready to get a good battery, get a blue Optima deep cell. I got one from www.battermart.com for 139.00 plus 22.00 shipping. Yeah, it's a lot, but my boat is a 2000 and it's the fourth battery. I am still using the third one (NAPA) as a starting battery with a Hellroaring isolator/combiner to run the stereo and accessories.

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

I don't understand the rage about the optima batteries. They only have 55 amp hours, 650 cold cranking amps, 870 marine cranking amps. My Exide battery has 70 amp hours, 750 cold cranking amps, 1000 marine cranking amps. Most AC Delco batteries also have better ratings and the claim to last the longest by independent study. The only thing I can think of is that the optima batters don't have to be upright, but almost all boats are set up for the batteries to be mounted upright anyhow.

Nick
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KISSING ADVICE ADVICE

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

There's all kind of propaganda on their website that says why they're better than conventional batteries. My two priorities are fast charging (Optimas charge MUCH faster) and vibration, which has killed three batteries in my boat. I mount them standing up, but I don't have to, as you mentioned. Other than that, conventional batteries probably work just as well.

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

AC delco's are the worst, I used to buy them because they were cheap, but every single one I have used (4) has failed long before it's projected life expectancy. The stupid green LED was still lit on every one, but they failed a load test. IMHO, the best conventional batteries are NAPA, they hold up.

Richie Martin · Posted: Feb 24, 2003 8:45 am Post subject:

I agree with cyclone. I went through 3 (car) batteries in a year in my old boat. Sure they replace them for free, but it's not worth the hassle. By a marine battery or you'll wish you did...

Leggester · Posted: Feb 24, 2003 9:09 am Post subject:

Excuse me gents, but deep cycle marine batteries are basically for out boards.

Marine batteries are not vented, car batteries are. This keeps the acid from spilling around in the bilge/battery compartment. Sulfuric acid and fiberglass don't mix.

I forget the web site, but do a search on marine battery. You'll get ton's of info.

Leggester · Posted: Feb 24, 2003 9:10 am Post subject:

Excuse me gents, but deep cycle marine batteries are basically for out boards.

Marine batteries are not vented, car batteries are. This keeps the acid from spilling around in the bilge/battery compartment. Sulfuric acid and fiberglass don't mix.

I forget the web site, but do a search on marine battery. You'll get ton's of info.

jedsterr · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 291 City: Star Idaho

I replaced my failed deep cycle batteries at the beginning of last season with 2 of the larger Wally World batteries. They are seated in a battery tray on decking above the stringers. Any spilled battery aced that escaped the confines of the battery tray will only damage unseen carpet in the battery compartments. I have not summerized my boat yet so that I do not know how the batteries wintered. The nice thing is that even if the winter killed the batteries Wally will buy me new ones, no questions asked.

mitchell007 · Criminal Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 87

When that leaked battery acid/fumes EXPLODES and destroys your boat and friends, will Wally mart replace that? Just food for thought........ Puppy Eyes

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Spilled battery acid is also a big deal in cars as well...
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Yamaha psr-248 history

Leggester · Posted: Feb 25, 2003 9:28 am Post subject:

You haven't seen my 'burban Otto! I have one of the "Environment" 'Burbans.

Anything that spills, goes straight back to the Environment!

wakejunky · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 147 City: Cal.

People need to keep in mind one thing about the difference between a Spiral sealed battery (Optimal etc) and a regular lead acid battery. The resistance in the spiral sealed battery is lower than the resistance in a regular lead acid so, when the alternator is charging it'll charge the spiral battery much faster and subsequently destroy the battery.
This doens't happen all the time but, it has happened. I have heard of people with extra batteries in their boats complaining that their new Optimal is now dead.
Just something to consider.

Chris
For sale
http://home.surewest.net/cfoye/96SportNautique/96SportNautique.htm