Things You Need To Know When Buying A New Battery For Your Boat


Boats require a lot of maintenance to keep them running and dependable. Like a car, the boat batteries that start the engine and power things inside the boat need to be dependable. Buying marine batteries is very similar to buying car batteries, but there are some differences between the two that you should be aware of. 

Sealed Batteries

It is essential that boat batteries are designed to be used in a wet environment to avoid damage. Marine batteries have many features that make them a good option for boats and other wet areas, including extra case sealing to ensure the water stays out and the acid stays in. 

If the battery starts to leak inside the boat, the acid could damage the boat hull and the wiring in the battery compartment, and eventually, the battery will lose its charge. The need for extra sealing for boat batteries is critical and should be one of the features you ask about when shopping for new batteries at a marine battery supply or outdoor store. 

Vibration Resistance

Vibration is bad for any vehicle battery, but boat batteries often have to deal with a lot of it as the boat goes over waves and bounces around in the water. Because of the added stress, marine batteries often have additional support inside the battery to support the lead plates inside the case. 

If one of the plates comes loose and touches one of the other plates in the battery, a short can occur, and the battery may no longer be useable. Because of this, the plastic case is made from heavier plastic and with additional support for the parts inside. 

Some marine battery manufactures will build the grid of lead plates separately to ensure they do not break up inside the battery case while in use. The associate at a marine battery supply company can help you determine which batteries are best for your boat. If you are looking for one that is extra durable, they can show you specific batteries that meet your needs.

Battery Power

Several different marine batteries are used in boats, and getting the correct type is crucial. Batteries used for starting the boat must have enough cranking amps to turn over and start the engine. 

Like a car, these boat batteries are rated and will have a number followed by a CA marking to indicate the cranking amps that the battery supplies to the starter motor. If you are not sure how many amps you need for your engine, check the owner's manual or ask an associate at the marine supply store about it. 

Additionally, there are boat batteries that are used to store power and feed electrical items on some boats. These are referred to as deep cycle batteries, and they often do not have the power to turn over the engine unless they are fully charged. They are typically used to power radios, trolling motors, and lights on the boat, and they are not a replacement for your starting batteries.

Contact a company like Battery XChange to learn more.

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Obtaining Better Fuel Economy

A couple of months ago, the car my husband drove to work died. Despite his best efforts, my husband could not get the car to crank. After this event, my spouse began driving his truck to work each day. Unfortunately, this vehicle didn’t get the gas mileage his car did. To improve his truck’s fuel economy, my husband shopped for an engine ionizer at a local auto parts store. After installing this simple piece of equipment on his truck, my husband is happy with the results. On this blog, I hope you will discover some interesting methods to improve your vehicles’ fuel economy. Enjoy!