Written By Marina Dawson 

When buying a battery it is very important to keep in mind how you are planning on using it.  Some batteries are more suited to certain tasks than others, and some are even built specifically for usage in a particular fashion.  If you are choosing a battery for your boat, you’ll need something different than what you’re putting in your RV or motorcycle.  Some of your toys might need more than one battery, so it is also important to understand how different batteries work, and how they can best provide power to your machine.

Marine batteries are designed specifically for use in boats, and thus are heavy, strong, and have thick plastic cases.  Considering that boats are subjected to constant pounding and vibrations from riding over the waves, not to mention the damaging effects of saltwater, it is no wonder that a strong battery is necessary for such use.  Automotive batteries, on the other hand, tend to be much more fragile, with thinner plates inside the battery and a more delicate case on the outside.  There are also batteries specifically made for motorcycles and even golf carts, and using a battery well suited to the task at hand will save you a lot of cash in replacements.

When starting an engine, you use what is called a cranking, or starting, battery.  This type of battery delivers a quick charge to help the engine get going.  Once this has been accomplished, it begins to recharge immediately.  Automotive batteries are an example of a typical starting battery.  This is another reason why they are not a good choice for many boats and RVs that have a cycle of deep discharge and recharge.  An automotive battery will usually only last about thirty cycles of deep discharging and recharging.  Anyone who has left their lights on knows how quickly a starting battery can die!

If you will be depleting your battery, for instance if you are taking a boat trip and need to run pumps and electronic devices, you must have a deep-cycle battery also hooked up to your engine.  These batteries are capable of being fully discharged and then recharged many times.  Although they still need proper care and attention, deep-cycle batteries are much more suited to taking a certain amount of abuse than a cranking battery.  If having two batteries in your machine doesn’t suit your needs, you might want to try a combination battery, which is a combination of the cranking and deep-cycle technologies.  Although these batteries are not as effective at either job as their pure counterparts, they are still a good choice for some users who are looking for moderate use.

Be wary of how batteries are labeled.  Just because it says it is a marine battery on the package doesn’t actually mean that it is the best choice for your boat.  Make sure you look carefully at the packaging to determine whether the battery is the correct fit for your needs.  Be prepared for your purchase with the appropriate questions to ask the dealer, and avoid discount batteries – you really do get what you pay for, and the potential inconvenience isn’t worth the risk.  With some thoughtful planning your battery purchase will be smooth and easy, your machines will run at their optimum level, and you won’t be replacing your battery every few months.

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