A marine battery is a special kind of battery that is specifically made to meet the demands of the sea. As you sail, your boat moves and rocks, especially when the waves are high and continuous. A typical battery being used on land vehicles may not be able to withstand such movement and possible leakage of lead and other components could occur.
Marine Battery Application
Manufacturers make their marine batteries based on a particular use: Deep Cycle and Starting.
A Deep Cycle Battery is used to provide power to the electrical loads such as engine alternator, shore power charger, wind generator and so on. This type of battery also has thicker plates with high level of antimony, which makes them capable of large discharge over long periods of time.
A Starting Battery “kicks in” immediate power to the engine by delivering as much as 75 to 400 amperes for 5 to 15 seconds. It is made of thinner and numerous plates.
Some batteries are made both Starting and Deep Cycle as there are boat owners who prefer having a single battery installed. However, West Marine does not advise the usage of this type of battery.
Marine Battery Chemistry
Marine Battery is categorized as Flooded, Gel, TTPL and Lithium, and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM).
A Flooded Battery uses a reservoir of liquid sulfuric acid. When charging, it produces hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen may explode which is why its storage needs to have holes or any form of ventilation so that the element may be emitted safely. This type of battery can also overcome overcharging better compared to other types.
A Gel Battery is maintenance- and leakage-free, submersible, and spill proof. It has also the longest charging cycles. Manufacturers of gel batteries have completely eliminated the gassing; therefore it can be safely used next to sensitive electronics and in public areas.
A Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) and Lithium Manganese Battery is among the newest innovation batteries have gone through. It uses 99% lead that is rolled, not cast, into thin plates. Because of the structure, it can accept higher charging amperage. This battery also charges quickly and has 400 charge and discharge cycles.
Lastly, the AGM Battery is made with fine, highly-porous microfiber glass separators tightly compressed in between its positive and negative plates, making it have good starting power and deep-cycling capability.
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