Marine Batteries

Plymouth Sailor

Plymouth Sailor

.
Dec 11, 2015
311
Hunter 25 Plymouth
Excuse my simple question it’s been a while since purchasing a marine battery. I need a battery to run my lights, radio etc, don’t need a battery to start an engine, what type do I need? Also, any recommendations on a good albeit reasonably priced battery?
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,606
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Yep... a simple trolling motor battery will do but you will want a decent charger or it won't last long.
 
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Sailfanatic

Sailfanatic

.
Jul 19, 2013
388
Pearson 31-2 Boston
Not all marine batteries are equal, for wet cell I have been using Insterstate who makes a serious deep cycle

Marine Deep-Cycle Batteries | Interstate Batteries

Interstate’s SRM Deep Cycle batteries are the most popular line of marine batteries and offer strong, reliable power. This type of battery is used to start the motor power your trolling motor, and power your other accessories like fish-finders, whether your engine is running or not.
www.interstatebatteries.com www.interstatebatteries.com

Hit LOCATION and see who's near. Not as cheap as the cheap batteries from discount stores but I believe you get what you pay for...
 
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D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
13,038
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
A Group 27 battery "Marine Deep Cycle" which isn't really all that much of a deep cycle, purchased anywhere except West Marine.

Try Napa, their batteries are made by East Penn, a company with a good reputation.

@Scott T-Bird comment about charging is as important as the battery.
 
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Ken Cross

Ken Cross

.
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
When we had our Mac 26D I used a cheap float charger when on the trailer. This worked well and never overcharged the battery.
It does however take quite a while to bring the battery up if you discharge very far.

Ken
 
Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit

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Jul 27, 2011
5,134
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
dlochner said:
A Group 27 battery "Marine Deep Cycle" which isn't really all that much of a deep cycle, purchased anywhere except West Marine.

Try Napa, their batteries are made by East Penn, a company with a good reputation.

@Scott T-Bird comment about charging is as important as the battery.
Click to expand
According to Mainesail, those are not true deep-cycle batteries. Not enough lead.
 
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jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Sailfanatic said:
Not all marine batteries are equal, for wet cell I have been using Insterstate who makes a serious deep cycle

Marine Deep-Cycle Batteries | Interstate Batteries

Interstate’s SRM Deep Cycle batteries are the most popular line of marine batteries and offer strong, reliable power. This type of battery is used to start the motor power your trolling motor, and power your other accessories like fish-finders, whether your engine is running or not.
www.interstatebatteries.com www.interstatebatteries.com

Hit LOCATION and see who's near. Not as cheap as the cheap batteries from discount stores but I believe you get what you pay for...
Click to expand
I must disagree with you about Interstate. I had two of the Group 27 deep cycle batteries (SRM-27) and I ended up giving them back to the dealer. I am a big fan of Trojan. Check the weight. The Interstates are 50 lb. while the Trojans (SCS-200) are 60 lb. each. That's 20% more lead. And Interstate doesn't even specify and Ah capacity! Not a true deep cycle.
 
D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
13,038
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
If there is any kind of drain on the battery the low wattage solar panels are pretty close to worthless. Let's do the math.

A 12 watt charger puts out about 1 amp at 12v. On a good day the total amp hour output will be about 3 times the nominal wattage, or 36 watts or 3 amp hours.

A Group 27 Battery has a capacity of about 75 amp hours, of which half are useable, so there are 36 amp hours available for use (taking a little liberty with math to keep the numbers simple). So, if the batter was used to 50%, it would take 12 days of no use to recharge the battery to 100% if battery charging was 100% efficient, which it is not. Batteries do not like being in a partial state of charge (PSOC), the longer they are in a PSOC the harder it is to recharge them and the batteries age faster, it is a downward spiral to the battery recycling center.

For a FLA battery, the charge should be at least 10% of the batteries rated capacity, or for a Group 27, a panel capable of producing 7.5 amps or 90 watts with a good MMPT controller.

The alternative is frequent battery replacement or a modern multistage charger and a connection to shore power.
 
Sailfanatic

Sailfanatic

.
Jul 19, 2013
388
Pearson 31-2 Boston
jviss said:
I must disagree with you about Interstate. I had two of the Group 27 deep cycle batteries (SRM-27) and I ended up giving them back to the dealer. I am a big fan of Trojan. Check the weight. The Interstates are 50 lb. while the Trojans (SCS-200) are 60 lb. each. That's 20% more lead. And Interstate doesn't even specify and Ah capacity! Not a true deep cycle.
Click to expand
I agree with Trojan as a better marine DC battery, if you can get them.
 
jviss

jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Sailfanatic said:
I agree with Trojan as a better marine DC battery, if you can get them.
Click to expand
I am very fortunate to have a Trojan battery distributor near where I live; an industrial distributor. When I bought mine the date code was the same month I bought them!
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,333
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I too enjoy a manufacturer in proximity. Dyno Batteries in Seattle. I have been pleased with the performance.
 
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