what batteries to get and where

[gride300]

i'm replacing both of the batteries on a buddy's 210 today for him. it's a 2005. any tips on what to get? if it was mine i'd get optima blue top dual purpose but it's not so i'm looking for a decent battery that fits.

[kevfran99]

RE: what batteries to get and where

anything that doesn't have interstate written on it!!! Those things are crap!

[gride300]

RE: what batteries to get and where

i have installed batteries but never in the boat. just any decent marine battery will fit in the box right:

[WakeSlayer]

RE: what batteries to get and where

I never use deep cycle batteries in boats. They are meant for trolling motors and to be run down and recharged. People do use them for stereos on separate circuits. You need a regular cranking car battery if it is for general purpose.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

RE: what batteries to get and where

I agree, you need a standard cranking battery. Pull the current one and then get a new one the same size/configuration with equal or greater cranking amps. What brand you get mainly depends on what kind of warrenty you want. I've never had a problem with the "premium" 5yr warrenty batteries from walmart or advance auto.

If you hae a stereo that uses a seperate battery I'd look int oa deep cycle for it if you want, but a standard battery will work as well.

[gride300]

RE: what batteries to get and where

oh ya i know that. he doesnt have a crazy system so there's no need.

[WakeSlayer]

fyi marine = deep cycle

[gride300]

it's got a 2 battery set up w/ a perko switch. should i get 1 cranking and 1 deep cycle? my buddy does run the stereo w/o the boat running for long periods of time or will two cranking be fine?

[8122pbrainard]

fyi marine = deep cycle

Wrong! Marine batteries have the additional stud terminals and usually have handles. The basic lead acid is available as a "cranking", "starting" or some manufacturers do make a combination.

[gride300]

so if you wanted to replace the oem batteries on your 2 battery 2005 210...

[Chris4x4Gill2]

i would use one cranking and one deep cycle, but thats me i'm sure others have different opinions.

but cant you pull the batteries and then just get replacements with the same ratings? you should be able to tell whats in it now

[jaybird]

On any 2 battery setup you should use the exact battery of the same age, never use an old and new battery in the same system, and wakeslayer is correct, marine is deep cycle. In a 2 battery setup you should use 2 deep cycle batterys. Optima are your best bet for long term use but they are costly, forget Walmart everlast marine, they are a joke. If you keep you batterys connected to a trickle charger some call a battery maintainer, they will last longer. What kills a battery is allowing it to remain drained for long peroids of time, keep it charged in the off season or it could failed in a single year or two.

[jaybird]

grid300, with most 2 battery systems, the pair is connected by a charging relay when a charge is avaliable but when a load is present like a audio amp, only 1 battery is used so the starter battery is always avaliable even if you kill the other. If you have 2 batterys connected in series without a charging relay and 1 battery goes bad the other will quickly follow if they remain connected to each other.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I disagree on the optimas. Pricey battery for no benefit excpt the gel cell wich allows you to mount them in any position. I've used the store brand batteries in just abot everything i own from 4x4's and hot rods to bass boats and my daily driver. I've never had one go bad on me sooner than the "warrentied" time.

[WakeSlayer]

I am going to go with Jaybird on this one. I am no 12V electrical expert, but that makes the most sense.

Pete, in general, marine/deep cycle batteries are designed for guys that use trolling motors and livewells, and are intended to be run mostly down and charged up, not used lightly, and kept on a perpetual charge. Isn't that what Rangers and the like have shore power charging plugs on them for? I am not sure I get what side terminals and handles have to do with the performance of one. Other than convenience, and dinging people extra money for them.
I have seen those "dual purpose" batteries and that would be my dead last choice for a battery.