Look Up The Best Marine Battery Reviews For Expert Advise
Marine batteries are used in boats. They are needed to start a boat and power up the electronics onboard. Marine batteries are critical for the proper functioning of your boat. It is always tricky to select a marine battery because of hundreds of options and a lack of knowledge of users.
In this review, we are going to highlight the best marine batteries and also present you with an informative buying guide, which will help you to make a better decision.
Best Starting Batteries
1. Optima Batteries 8006-006 34M BlueTop Marine Starting Battery
The 12-volt battery provides a cold-cranking power of 800 Amps, which is enough to start your boat in any season and under severe weather conditions. It also offers a reserve capacity of 100 minutes for consistent performance. It means that you can also run your appliances on it for some time, but it may damage your devices due to high bursts of current. The total capacity is 50 Ah. The dimensions are 10 x 7 x 7.9 inches and weigh 38.4 pounds. It is built using AGM technology, and you can use most of the AGM chargers with this battery. The battery has been designed to give it more durability than other batteries and can withstand a lot of vibrations and shocks. You get a 2-year warranty on material and workmanship on this battery.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It will last for 6-8 years with you if taken care of properly. We recommend you buy this battery and never worry about starting your boat again.
2. Odyssey 31-PC2150S Heavy Duty Commercial Battery
If you have a bigger boat that needs more power for starting, then you need Odyssey, which delivers 1150 CCA. The total capacity is 100Ah. The incredible feature of this battery is its recovering power. It can recover fully even after 80% discharge. It is a heavyweight model and has almost double weight than the model reviewed above. It has been made to withstand extreme and harsh weather conditions, strong vibrations, high loads, and long idle times. The battery will not freeze even at a low temperature of -40°F. It has been made with a sealed design to prevent any spills and increases its usability. The dimensions are 13 by 6.8 by 9.41 inches, and it weighs 78 pounds. You get a 3-year limited warranty and a 4-year replacement warranty with this battery.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is a sturdy and solid battery with the expected life span of 8-12 models. It is a costly battery, but its performance and lifespan justify the high price.
Best Deep Cycle Batteries
3. Mighty Max Battery ML35-12 – 12V 35AH U1 Deep Cycle AGM Solar Battery Replaces 33Ah, 34Ah, 36Ah Brand Product
Mighty Max brings a 12V battery, which can last for 35 hours. It is a rechargeable AGM battery with sealed lead acid technology. The calcium-alloy used in the design gives it strength to store more energy and enhances its performance for a longer time. The dimensions are 7.68 x 5.16 x 7.13 inches; it can fit in easily and will not occupy much space. The spill-proof battery can be used in various temperature conditions and a long service life of 8-10 years with a slow discharging rate. You can mount this battery in any position you want; its seal is of high-quality, and you won’t face any problems in this regard. It comes with 30-days money-back guarantee and 1-year warranty, which covers labor and defaults. The weight is only 23.5 pounds and carrying it around as is very easy as it comes with a carry handle.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is an ideal battery for small boats due to its compact and sleek design. The amp rate is low, so it will only run applications with less voltage.
4. Vmaxtanks VMAXSLR125 AGM 12V 125Ah SLA Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery for Use with Pv Solar Panels Smart chargers
If you want to run big appliances for a longer time, then it is a perfect option for you. It provides 12V power for 125 hours. It can be used with solar inverters or PV panels. It comes with a military-grade custom made durable plates, and this battery can last for 8 to 10 years without any issues. The AGM seal ensures that you can install this battery in any position without the worry of leakage. The battery can withstand shocks and vibrations. The dimensions are 12.9 by 6.8 by 8.7 inches and weigh 75 pounds. You get a 1-year warranty on this battery.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is a quick recharging battery and will supply a lot of power for your boats. The only issue is its weight: it is quite heavy, and carrying it will be an issue for you.
Best Hybrid Batteries
5. Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M TROLLING Thunder Marine Dual Purpose Battery
If you are looking for a battery that can serve both as a powerful starting battery and can deliver constant power for running the applications on your boat, then Odyssey is the best option for you. It provides a CCA power of 1150. It comes with a reserve capacity of 200 minutes and 100Ah deep cycle power capacity. You can use 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge. The battery comes with a high recharging rate and can be recharged fully in 4-6 hours. The dimensions are 16.8 x 11.1 x 11.9 inches, and it weighs 78 pounds. You get an extended warranty cover of 4-years full warranty, and this battery lasts for more than 15 years with excellent performance.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is one of the best dual-purpose batteries for your boat. You will not feel the need to have separate batteries for your boat. It is an expensive option, but its exceptional features justify the price hike.
6. Optima Batteries 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
Another dual-purpose battery with less starting power and low deep cycle power, it is ideal for smaller boats and people who do not run many appliances on their boats. It provides you with 750 CCA and 120 minutes of constant power. It is built using spiral –wound AGM technology, which makes it a spill-proof battery and gives you the option to mount it in any position you like. The product dimensions are 10 x 6.9 x 7.8 inches, and it weighs 43.5 pounds. It comes with a warranty period of 36-months for labor and materials. The most amazing thing about its warranty is that it can be replaced within 3-years from the date of purchase.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is ideal for people who own small boats and run limited appliances on board.
Buying Guide
Type of Battery and Usage
We are not here to make some technical notes, so we will keep things simple for you. Marine batteries are lead-acid batteries that use absorbed glass mat (AGM) construction. Based on the usage marine batteries are divided into the following three categories
Starting Batteries
Starting batteries are used to provide a short burst of powerful current to start your boat. They are also known as cranking batteries. Starting batteries have thinner lead plates as compared to deep cycle batteries.
Deep Cycle Batteries
Deep cycle batteries are used to power up electric devices on your boat. The primary purpose is steady and sower discharge. Deep cycle batteries can discharge in depth without getting damaged. You can use a deep cycle battery to start your boat, but it may cause some damage to the ignition system of your boat as they can’t deliver high bursts of power needed for starting the boat.
Hybrid Batteries
Also known as dual-purpose batteries, they can be used for starting and running other devices on your boat. They come in handy when you have space issues. These batteries do serve a dual purpose but may not perform as well as starting and deep cycle batteries in their respective functions. Hybrid batteries are costly as compared to single function batteries.
Cold Cranking Amps
Another feature to look for in the marine batteries is the cold cranking amps rating. Deep cycle batteries have a low CCA rating; starting batteries have a much higher CCA rating. Hybrid batteries have moderate CCA and power capacity for fulfilling both needs.
Capacity
Battery capacity means that for how long you can run various appliances on it. Capacity is measured in Ampere Hours or Ah. A 100Ah battery can provide you with this power for an hour or 10A for 10 hours. We suggest that you do not fully discharge your battery; around 60% of discharge is recommended by experts. So, if you are planning to use your appliances for a longer time, plan your running time and battery usage accordingly. Reserve capacity means the time your battery takes to discharge at a fixed rate. It depends upon the amperage of your battery in drawing under different conditions.
Size and Weight
Look for a battery that occupies less space on your boat and is not very heavy. You may have to move your battery in the winter season so lightweight batteries come in handy. You have to make a tradeoff between a bigger battery with high power or smaller batteries with less power wired together to give more power.
Vmaxtanks VMAXSLR125 AGM 12V 125Ah SLA Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery for Use with Pv Solar Panels Smart chargers
Conclusion
You must select a battery that serves your purpose well. We suggest that you take care of the batteries by keeping them dust-free, avoid extreme temperatures with your battery, and use Vaseline to protect the terminals from corrosion. Keep in mind that keeping your battery on a trickle charger as often as possible helps in increasing the performance and lifespan of the battery. Another way to keep your battery safe is to keep it in a dedicated battery box as it helps in keeping out rainwater and water splashes.
