What's the difference between a deep cycle battery and a marine battery?

Overview of Cranking Battery vs. Deep Cycle Marine Battery: A cranking battery ensures a boat can easily start and get out on the water. A deep-cycle (trolling) battery keeps it operating and runs electronics in any conditions.

Can a marine deep cycle battery be used as a starting battery?

Yes, a deep cycle battery can be used to start your motor in a pinch, but a two- or three-battery system is highly recommended to separate the engine battery from the accessory (house) batteries.

Is deep-cycle and marine battery the same?

It may only be designed for starting a boat engine, not running live wells, trolling motors or large stereo systems when the engine is turned off. So not all marine batteries are considered deep-cycle batteries and without threaded terminals, not all deep-cycle batteries may be considered marine batteries.

Can you use a deep cycle battery in a boat?

Can You Use a Deep Cycle Battery For Starting? The short answer is that you can probably use your deep cycle battery to start your boat engine in a pinch. You shouldn't rely on your deep cycle battery to start your boat engine all of the time because it isn't designed to do that.

Do I really need a marine battery for my boat?

Not necessarily. The variety of marine applications is about as broad as automotive applications. Some boat engines don't need much power to start, while others are fire-breathing monsters that require the cranking power of multiple batteries to turn over.

Simple Explanation of "Starting" vs. "Deep Cycle" Batteries

What kind of battery should I put in my boat?

Most boaters will use 12-volt lead-acid batteries in their boats. If your boat uses 6-volt, 8-volt or some other type of battery that isn't 12-volt, you can still read the next few paragraphs, but know that OPTIMA doesn't offer replacements in those voltages for your boats.

Can I charge a marine battery with a regular charger?

Regular chargers offer a safe amount of electricity for rapid charging. It might take these chargers several hours to complete the powering process. In contrast, trickle chargers allow a small amount of electricity to flow into the battery.

Do deep cycle batteries recharge themselves?

Batteries will self-discharge over a period of months even without a load. Many GEL, AGM and Calcium's are better than regular lead-acid batteries but even so you should charge them back up regularly, or better still use a trickle charger (or solar panel) to keep them in top condition and extend their life.

What is special about a marine battery?

Marine batteries are designed with sturdier and more elevated plates for electricity. The reasoning for this is so that the battery doesn't short circuit while bouncing around with the boat during rough waters, which is, of course, much different from being in a car on the road.

How do you charge a deep cycle marine battery?

For lithium deep cycle batteries, we suggest Ionic single chargers and Ionic bank chargers. These chargers are for LiFePO4 marine batteries. They're smart chargers. They charge at a steady rate, and they stop charging when the batteries reach their full voltage.

How many years does a deep cycle marine battery last?

A light/medium duty battery good for 200-300 cycles will last about three years. Use the boat almost every day of the year and you will accumulate about 200-250 cycles. A medium/heavy duty grade battery will provide 500-750 cycles, or about three years use.

Can I use a marine deep cycle battery in my RV?

Generally, RV batteries and marine batteries are interchangeable. Just make sure your marine battery has a larger reserve capacity and a slow discharge. Also, check that your marine battery has enough reserve to power your RV and everything you want to use inside it between charges.

Can you overcharge a deep cycle marine battery?

Yes, the deep cycle batteries can be overcharged. The amps that are used for charging these batteries decide whether the battery will be overcharged or not.

Can you jump start off a deep cycle battery?

While the car battery provides a surge to start your car, the AGM deep cycle battery is not designed to be used as a cranking battery as the draw needed to start up is too high to be sustained.

Can I use a deep cycle marine battery in my truck?

If the marine battery is a 12-volt battery, then you can use it for your car. This will enable it to be both a starter and a deep cycle battery.

Can you mix deep cycle and regular batteries?

If you want to expand a deep cycle battery bank that's already in use, act quickly – the closer in age and condition the new and used batteries are, the better. Never mix and match batteries from different manufacturers or batteries with different model numbers, amp-hour capacities, or voltages in the same bank.

What is a deep cycle battery used for?

Deep cycle batteries are batteries that are designed for discharging and recharging such as in RV application, golf cart, floor scrubber, or electric vehicle. Deep cycle batteries as a rule should not be discharged below 80% depth of discharge.

Why do boats need deep cycle batteries?

Deep cycle batteries are made to be able to frequently discharge and recharge. They're also built to give a lower amount of energy for a longer period of time. With thicker lead plates and reduced surface area, they're sturdy and made to discharge down to 20% regularly.

How do I know if my battery is deep cycle?

In lead acid batteries, the main difference between a deep cycle and a starter battery is structural. Deep cycle batteries have thicker plates with more dense active material and thicker separators. The thicker battery plates resist corrosion through extended charging cycles.

What happens if deep cycle battery dies?

If deep cycle battery is left discharged for long period of time, dendrite shorts between the plates can occur when the battery is recharged. The low resistance bridge in the shorted cell will heat up and boil the electrolyte out of the cell causing a high volumes of hydrogen and oxygen.

How long can a deep cycle battery sit without charging?

Deep cycle batteries can last for a long time without charging when not in use. It's also possible to recharge a dead deep cycle battery fully. Experts claim that depending on the size, type, and usage of the battery, it can last up to 30 days without being charged.

How often should you charge a deep cycle battery?

They should be recharged when they indicate a 50% charge, but never let them get lower than 20% to ensure a long life. Lead-acid batteries, such as deep cycle batteries, run the risk of sulfation if left uncharged for too long.

What kind of battery charger do I need for a deep cycle battery?

The voltage of the charger must match the output voltage of the battery. If your boat has a 12v battery, you'll require a 12v charger. The same applies to two 12v batteries in a parallel setup—the voltage does not double in this setup, and you'll still need a 12v battery charger.

How long does it take to trickle charge a marine battery?

In most cases, a marine battery will take around 4-6 hours to charge. This will bring your battery from 0% charged to 80% charged. In addition, it depends on the type of charger that you're using. Some chargers are more efficient than others, which means that it's important to pick out a high-quality charger.