Deep cycle battery have thicker plates and can be discharged down to 80 percents (deep cycle) time after time without causing damage.By comparison, starting battery deliver short, high-current bursts to crank an engine, meaning they frequently discharge only a small part of their capacity. The main difference between deep cycle battery and other types is that deep cycle battery have solid – not sponge – lead plates. They are most usually used in industrial applications for backup and in solar power plants.

Marine Battery

Marine battery may be starting batteries, dual-purpose battery or deep cycle battery. They are common a hybrid of starting and deep cycle battery, with lead sponge plates that are coarser and heavier than starting battery plates but not as thicker as deep cycle battery plates.

It’s difficult to tell how do you get in a marine battery, and the only way to know for sure is to cut one open. The terms “marine” and “deep cycle” are usually used interchangeably or together, which adds to the confusion.Such as, a battery marked “deep cycle marine battery” may be constructed the same as RV batteries marked “deep cycle.”

A starting battery is fine for an inboard or outboard marine engine, but if you need to power a trolling motor, please choose a deep cycle battery.

1.Battery Life

The life of a deep cycle battery depends on if it used properly, maintained and charged, as well as external factors such as temperature. How frequency and how deep you deep cycle a battery also affects life. While the variables make it almost impossible to provide a definite life, typically a marine battery lasts for one to five years. An AGM (absorbed glass mat) deep cycle battery usually lasts for three to six years, a gel deep cycle battery for two to four years, and an industrial deep cycle battery for 8 to 20 years.

2.Maintenance

With some basic maintenance, your battery will run longer and more efficiently.

• Remove the vent cap and check the electrolyte levels of your battery each month.

• When storing your battery for the winter, fill it with distilled water, fully recharge it, and keep it in a safe, dry places.

• When using your battery for the first time after winter, make sure it’s 100% charged.

3.Replacing Your Battery

Even with proper maintenance, your battery won’t last forever. You’ll know it’s time for a replacement when you see the following signs:

• You need to jumpstart your battery.

• The battery can barely turn the starter over.

• The lighting and electronics dim or go out while starting.

• The battery will not hold a charge.

• The battery is submerged.

• The battery discharges frequently between uses.

Always replace the battery when purchasing a used boat.

4.The marine environmental technical conditions that must be met by marine batteries include the following:

(1)Adapt to vibration and shock.

(2)Adapt to tilt and swing.

(3)Adapt to the ambient temperature.

(4)Adapt to the environment of humidity, salt spray, oil mist and mold.

(5)Adapt to the changes of ship power grid voltage and frequency.

(6) Protection requirements. In order to prevent electrical equipment from malfunctioning or being damaged by the intrusion of external solid and liquid foreign objects, which may cause fire hazards, general electrical equipment should have a protective shell.