Boat Batteries; Deep cycle OR Starting or Neither.!!!!

[PeggyLee]

Ok men here we go.This might help many. Its time to start thinking of  replacing the batteries.Presently have two on the boat which I will check the specs. and the manual.

Do you have  Deep Cycle or Starting,or one of each or neither and why??

Imput and thoughts on the subject ? 

[kezsr]

AJ,I run two starting batteries that cover starting, all lights  and bilge pump,run a 3rd battery that is deep cycle that covers my electronics,fish finder,gps and vhf.probably over kill for what I have,but have never had any problems,this was the setup already on the boat,replaced all 3 this past season,which was kind of exspensive,will alternate replacement from now on. Kez

[Pops Soul]

AJ, My Seaswirl came from the factory with 2 Starting/Cranking batteries. Mine are Interstate Marine Cranking Batteries, Part # 24M-RD, 500 cranking amps. My last set I ran for 6 years. taking them out in the winter and putting them on trickle once over the winter. 

[Tacklebox Joe]

1 deep cycle 1 starting

[Tacklebox Joe]

oh yeah replacing the starting this season.

[Reckless]

 I was told not to mix them. Both starting or both deep cycle. What is correct?

[CapBob]

Each Battery has a differant purpose

Starting Battery is meant to give a large surge of Voltage quickly and the battery recharges rather quickly. This type battery has thinner and more lead plates inside, thus the more surface area gives you the greater surge.

The Deep cycle is meant to give a lower amount of voltage over a long period of time. The plates inside are fewer but thinker. This battery takes a longer time to recharge.

Two answer your question I run one of each. start the day with the Starting battery then when I get to were I am anchored or drifting switch over.

Many times i will also run both as to charge them on way to fishing grounds and then switch over to the single.

You will get many varying opinions here, but when you consider what the batteries are meant for, and the fact that each one has a specific purpose you should make the proper decision.

Everytime a battery is recharged some flakage occurs on the lead plates causing it to be less officiant.

Which ever you choose DO NOT SWITCH BATTERIES WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING> this will damage your electrical system.

Hope this helps

[Reckless]

 It makes more sense to have one of each. I though it might harm the system if I used 2 different one.

[PeggyLee]

Kez,PopsSoul,Reckless,Capt Bob.Tackle Box Joe. Jaws. Thank you for your informative replies.
Very usefull information which will help many of us in our purcahse.    Stay well.      

[IrishAyes]

I agree with everything Jawz said except for the bilge pump statement. That is only true if the pumps are wired correctly, that being connected directly to the batteries.

If they are wired to a switch, breaker, etc with the battery off/1/all/2 switch between the pump connection and the batteries the pumps will not work with the on/off switch turned off.

Again, this will be because they are not wired in correctly, which happens alot from the DIY crowd.

[PeggyLee]

Good Point about the pump Joe.

[IrishAyes]

Jawz are you running the wire to the battery side of the ignition switch? Or are you referring to a connecting block that would be between the batteries and the battery switch? 

Wired to the ignition switch, if you turn the battery switch off doesn't this kill the power to everything including the bilge pump auto switch? Seems to me that is should.

If not, why not?

Where will the power be coming from if the battery switch is interupting the circuit? If wired to a block, that would make sense to me. (I am not an electrician, I just know enough to get me in trouble  )


Oh, and I do believe most, if not all, manufactures do wire their boats correctly. It's when the DIYers (like me ) put their work into the equation that things go bad. 

[IrishAyes]

I think I got it now Jawz. Thanks.

My confusion came from thinking of this the same way I think of a car. You turn the ignition key 'backwards' to go into the accessories mode. I realize now that the boat 'ignition' switch is very different than that. (I guess I showed my stupidity there  ).

BTW, my boat is wired in the manner you say. Only because I did not Do It Myself. 

[Hotrod]

I run mine. On the Parker on All..  all the time...

I guess if I was sitting for a while running the radio and electronics. I'd want to switch to #1 or #2 right.....  to save one for starting?

[IrishAyes]

Jawz, if you can do that in a new post we can sticky it for future reference. That would be great. 

[Hotrod]

 

[Luna Sea 5]

the boat I am buying has 3 batteries.  1 for the electronics and 1 for each of the two batteries.  Each battery has a 1,2,and all switch to it. 

[Treebeard]

AJ, As capt Bob and others point out, each type does a bit different job..  our Scout has 3 batteries as well.. 1 Cranking battery ( for the diesel I found I need lots of cranking amps so upgraded what it came with.) ,  and 2  Deep Cycle house batteries hooked in parallel to run electronics, lights, pumps, etc.. Each battery has its own 2-positon On/OFF switches.. To  handle all the charging, the boat is equipped with this:



The VSR sends charge to the cranking battery first, and when it senses that it is fully charged, it then relays to the house batteries.. So I never have to worry about flipping switches and everything stays charged..Being we keep it in a slip, another nice accessory for us is the onboard charging system.. We just plug into shore power, flip it on , and always have fresh batteries when we get to the boat. Good Luck AJ!   C'mon Spring   

[Luna Sea 5]

the boat I am buying has 3 batteries.  1 for the electronics and 1 for each of the two batteries.  Each battery has a 1,2,and all switch to it. 

how is the "third" battery charged ?? those engines,2996,do not have an "aux" charge wire ?? what's it got ?? what were you told as far as the electrical system being set up ??

i will find out next Saturday when I get my survey.  I do have a battery charger down there also that is hooked up to my shore power.  From what I was told by the broker, if I put all switches on all, it will charge all the batteries  , but I will find out for sure next weekend..

[Luna Sea 5]

i will see the survey next weekend to get the exact function of these batteries.  I can assume they are set up like the above mentioned since I am not sure the knowledge of the broker is accurate.