Written By Marina Dawson

For anyone who relies on battery power for their recreational pursuits it is very obvious that dealing with a dead battery drastically cuts down on the relaxation and enjoyment you get from your vehicle.  At best, turning the ignition and finding yourself without power will leave you stranded in your garage, but things can quickly turn more serious if you are out on the water in your boat or on a backcountry road on your bike.  It is always important to be thinking ahead about how you use your batteries and your vehicle to ensure that you get the maximum use from your battery and aren’t left stranded.

One of the best ways you can prevent your batteries from dying unexpectedly, or failing to hold their charge, is through proper maintenance.  Discharge and recharge them properly, routinely check the water and electrolyte levels, and if you are storing your battery ensure that it receives a trickle or float charge to prevent lead sulfation.  Keep in mind that electronic devices on your vehicle may require power from your battery even when the vehicle is turned off, and this parasitic drain will result in a dead battery.  It is also wise to test your battery periodically with a hydrometer.  In doing so, you test the level of sulfuric acid in the electrolyte solution, and a low reading will suggest that the battery is not well charged.

If you are using a vehicle that uses battery power to run a lot of electronics or appliances, it is especially important that you understand how much power you have available and how quickly you are likely to use it.  RVs and boats are common examples, and the devices on board often put a heavy strain on the onboard batteries.  In this case, try installing the biggest capacity batteries that your vehicle can hold, particularly if you do overnight camping at remote locations.  Test the batteries thoroughly before heading out, and unplug items that aren’t in use.

When deciding on a battery system for your vehicle, keep in mind that not all 12-volt batteries are the same.  There are different classes and sizes, which all add up to varying degrees of longevity.  The battery manufacturer should list the number of amp hours that you can expect from the battery.  Keep in mind that the length of time the battery can run depends on how much power is being demanded from it.  However, these figures give you an idea of what to expect.  When using more than one battery, be sure to consider the combined amp hours

What type of battery you buy and how you use it will affect how long it will last.  Most deep-cycle batteries, including golf cart batteries, will last between four and six years.  Once your battery hits the three-year mark, it is probably a good idea to treat it as a senior and be prepared to replace it.  But of course keep in mind that even new batteries can fail, and only proper testing and maintenance will keep you from being stranded by a dead battery.

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