It’s nice to go fishing or sailing on a warm sunny day but make sure that your boat has the right battery to power it. A good boat runs on a good marine battery. There are two basic types of marine batteries: deep-cycle and cranking batteries.
Deep-cycle batteries are specifically designed to power trolling motors. They can also power your VHF radio, DC lights, instruments and the like. Thick plates provide deep-cycle batteries with greater power output for longer periods of time. The plates can withstand the high temperatures created by the current when the battery operates for a long time. On the other hand, a cranking battery can deliver short bursts of energy to start your engine because it has thinner lead plates. The boat’s alternator almost immediately recharges a cranking battery. Do not use a cranking battery for deep-cycle purposes because it might overheat.
All marine batteries are lead-acid types. They use lead plates that are immersed in an electrolyte solution. Most lead-acid mixtures are made of 65 percent distilled water and 35 percent sulfuric acid. Voltage is generated when the positive and negative plates are immersed in the electrolyte. A typical lead-acid battery has 12 volts. When a load, such as a wire, is connected between the positive and negative terminals, electricity flows. The battery constantly discharges and charges itself until it eventually loses its power when the acid weakens and the plates become more chemically alike.
However, you can always recharge a marine battery, so that your boat keeps on running. Recharging involves reversing the flow of electrons, so that electricity is fed back to the battery. When the battery has been fully charged, the chemical differences between the plates are restored. This rechargeable quality of lead-acid batteries is called cycling ability.
So go ahead and get the right marine battery for your boat. Remember to purchase the right type of battery for specific applications and never switch a deep-cycle with a cranking battery. The proper battery use will ensure a day of smooth sailing.