Selecting The Right Battery For Your Boat

How you are going to use the boat batteries in your craft and where they need to fit can significantly impact what you buy. The batteries come in different sizes and shapes, but making sure that the one you choose has enough power for the boat is critical. 

Boat Batteries

Boat batteries are sold in a few different places, and if you know what you are looking for, you can pick one up at an auto parts store or big box store that sells batteries. If you are not entirely sure what you need, you may want to visit a marine battery supply or marine retailer to get some help selecting the right one. 

You need to ask yourself how you will use the battery because different boat batteries are used for very specific tasks. A battery used to start your boat is similar to the one that starts the engine in your car. The battery is used to turn the engine over, and then once the engine is running, it will charge the battery back up, so it is ready next time you need it. 

Other boat batteries common in small boats are deep cycle marine batteries used to power electric trolling motors, lights, radios, and other accessories you may have onboard. These batteries are run in series or linked together to provide more power for longer on larger boats. These marine batteries can be recharged when you come in from the water and can be used to store power repeatedly without damage to the battery. 

Battery Size

Battery size can mean the battery's physical size or the amount of power it has in it. These are both important when selecting the boat batteries for your craft. The battery needs to fit securely into the mount provided for the battery, so you need to measure the old battery before heading to the marine battery supply for a new one. 

If you are not sure what the battery's amperage should be for your boat, you may want to remove the old battery and take it with you. The associate at the marine battery supply can help you select the correct battery based on the old battery from your boat. 

If you are replacing a deep cycle battery, you can take that one with you as well. If you are using several deep cycle marine batteries in series, let the associate know.  Many boat batteries have an option for the connection posts to be laid out for connecting in series instead of the traditional layout. 

In both cases, if you do not have the old batteries for the boat, make sure you take your registration or boat information so the associate at the marine battery supply can look up the make and model to get you the correct battery. 


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