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Understanding the differences between marine battery vs car battery as well as their uses is important. Not only does it help you select the ideal battery that'll power your devices efficiently, but also helps you understand how best to maintain your ideal battery.
This article is designed to help you understand the following:
are
car batteries as well as howthey
function.Let's dig right in!
First things first - it would be best if you'd first understand what a marine battery is and how it functions. A marine battery is used to crank your boat's engine as well as power other auxiliary devices. In addition, marine batteries can also be used for energy storage. Marine energy storage systems can significantly improve the operating efficiency of ships, and have many advantages such as high capacity, high reliability, high flexibility, and strong environmental adaptability.
Lithium-ion batteries are often used in the field of marine energy storage due to their high specific energy, good charge-discharge characteristics, long cycle life, and maintenance-free. There are three types of marine batteries - each type is classified according to its purpose. Check them out:
So you might be thinking to yourself, 'What makes marine batteries special?' Here's what: Unlike regular car batteries, marine batteries are special because they are designed to withstand a lot of vibration as well as wave pounding while powering your boat. If the same environmental conditions are to be subjected to a regular car battery, then its internal components would crack due to the vibrations and wave pounding, causing permanent damage to that battery. A common question that most people ask is whether a marine battery is the same as a deep cycle battery.
No - not all marine batteries are deep cycle and not all deep cycle batteries are marine batteries. As mentioned above, marine batteries can be roughly divided into three categories, and deep cycle marine batteries are just one type of marine batteries.
Car batteries can also be divided into starting batteries and deep cycle (ie power batteries). A starting battery, as the name suggests, is a rechargeable type of battery that is used to start your car's engine. The power battery is the power source that provides the power source for the tool, and mostly refers to the battery that provides power for electric vehicles, electric trains, electric bicycles, and golf carts.
No - marine and car batteries are not the same. Here's why: While both batteries are designed to power your boat or car, their internal structure is not the same. Marine batteries have a stronger internal structure designed to withstand vibration and wave hits.
It depends on the specific car battery. Marine batteries cannot be used as electric vehicle batteries because the voltage and capacity of electric vehicle batteries are generally larger than marine batteries. If you want to replace golf carts, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles and other batteries with marine batteries, as long as the voltage and capacity are equal and the size can be adapted, they can be interchanged.
Check out the differences between a marine battery vs. car battery in tabular form:
Attribute
Marine battery
Car battery
Classification
Starter, deep cycle, dual-purpose
Starting and power batteries
Internal structure
Thicker plates than car battery
Thinner plates than marine battery
Application
Primarily used to power boats and can also be used in cars
Primarily used to start car engines or power source for tools
Voltage
14.2V - 14.4V
12.8V
Deep-cycle batteries are also capable of delivering inrush current, but not as powerful as those provided by car batteries. In the car battery, the power battery is also a deep cycle battery, although it cannot start the engine, it can provide power for driving.
Yes, marine batteries are rechargeable, similar to car batteries. It is important to know the type of marine battery you have as well as its chemical composition. If you have a lithium marine battery, recharging it should not be a complicated process compared to a lead-acid marine battery. Lithium marine batteries cannot overcharge as they have a cut-off circuit board that prevents overcharging and over-discharging.
However, lead-acid marine batteries need a smart charger that will detect when the battery is fully charged and discontinue charging. If you do not have a smart charger, a traditional one will still work. You'll, however, need to ensure that the battery does not overcharge as it could easily get damaged.
It depends on the chemical composition of your marine battery. If you have a lithium marine battery, it would be best if you'd charge them after every use. Lithium marine batteries have a longer lifespan. However, if you have a lead-acid marine battery, it would be best if you'd recharge them after every 30 days. In addition to that, consider acquiring a smart charger that will help you charge your lead-acid marine batteries without the fear of overcharging batteries.
This depends on the situation, 12V marine batteries can be used as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles and golf cart batteries and cannot be used in electric vehicles, but they also need to be suitable when the voltage and capacity are equal and the size is suitable.
Marine batteries have thicker packaging panels than regular car batteries. Thicker plates translate to more power coming from the batteries as they discharge. It, therefore, means that marine batteries are stronger (both in current delivery and in structure) than car batteries. Remember, marine batteries can withstand a lot of vibration and wave pounds, unlike car batteries which are designed to be used on smooth and slightly rough roads.
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In summary, marine batteries and car batteries are quite different from each other. Marine batteries are stronger - they can deliver more power as well as withstand rough environments (vibrations and wave pounds) - and that is what makes a marine battery special. It is important to note that there are three types of marine batteries - starter, deep cycle, and dual-purpose, and they also can be used as golf cart batteries. Car batteries also have two types: power batteries and starting batteries, and power batteries are also deep cycle batteries.
Taking care of your batteries is important. One of the key activities involved in taking care of your batteries is charging them. Both marine and car batteries are rechargeable. If you own a lead-acid marine or car battery, you'll need to ensure that the battery does not overcharge and over-discharge. Lead-acid marine batteries should be charged after every 30 days. If you have a lithium marine battery, it would be best if you'd recharge it after use.
Boats usually have two batteries (or banks of batteries) to ensure one is for starting the engine only, and the other to run the domestic systems.
Sometimes (though not on Maximus) there's a third set of batteries for high power items such as a bow-thruster or electric windlass.
Batteries that have liquid electrolyte sloshing around in them are sometimes referred to as 'wet', 'flooded' or 'wet lead acid' batteries.
To start the engine, boats have a starting or 'cranking' battery, like those used in cars, which delivers very high loads for a few seconds.
Only a small portion of the battery's capacity is used and this is restored by the alternator once the engine is running.
For powering everything else (i.e. chartplotter, lights, fridge, etc.) boats use a domestic, or 'house' deep-cycle (or deep-discharge/traction) battery bank which draws a much smaller amount of power over a longer period of time.
It's important that wet lead acid batteries are stored in a ventilated area. A disadvantage is that they can 'gas off' (release hydrogen) if faulty, overcharged or getting old.
Pros: cheap, readily available, lots of choice, starter batteries can be bought in automotive stores.
Cons: heavy, can leak, need regular charging, useless once flat, can gas off.
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An 'in-between' option is the 'dual' or leisure battery. A compromise between starting and deep-cycle batteries, these are popular on boats that carry only a single battery, or prefer to have the same type of battery for simpler charging.
Maximus had a leisure battery for starting the engine (an 85Ah Green Power) and a 100Ah deep-cycle Lifeline Battery for powering the rest of electrical equipment.
Both were flat after being left on board for two years and so could not be revived.
Pros: cheap, readily available, lots of choice, dual-purpose starter and domestic.
Cons: heavy, can leak, need regular charging, useless once run flat, can gas off.
Nobody wants battery acid leaking into the bilge, but there's a price to pay if you want more durable batteries.
Sealed lead acid batteries are sometimes referred to as VRLA (valve regulated lead acid) and there are two main types ' absorbed glass mat (AGM), where the battery plates are protected by fine-stranded glass mats ' and gel, where the liquid electrolyte has been converted into a gel.
AGM batteries can be used for both starter and house applications whereas gel batteries are better suited for house applications only.
Both types can withstand many more charge/discharge cycles than conventional deep-discharge batteries ' for example, a 7-10 year lifespan rather than a 4-5.
Pros: leak-proof, longer lifespan than wet lead acid, AGM can be dual-purpose starter and domestic.
Cons: twice the price of wet lead acid, up to 25% heavier, need regular charging, useless once flat.
Lead carbon batteries are not widely known. Our electrician had never fitted them, and indeed I hadn't considered these until I spoke to Victron Energy.
However, they are highly regarded by PBO contributor Paul Sumpner, who fitted Leoch lead carbon batteries to his electric-propulsion narrowboat Old Nick.
Paul worked out his requirements, which were a regular DoD of 50%, year-round usage, a minimum of 48V, 600Ah, zero maintenance, a life cycle of 3,000+ discharges, non-vertical mounting and to be able to survive a regular partial state of discharge. Plus, they couldn't 'completely blow the budget'.
'It became clear that only lead carbon or lithium batteries would be suitable,' he said, and later confirmed he couldn't be happier with the equipment he chose.
Lead carbon batteries are an advanced type of VRLA battery, which has a positive plate (anode) of lead, but a negative (cathode) plate made of carbon composite.
According to Victron, the advantages are less sulfation, and a lower charge voltage, meaning higher efficiency and less corrosion of the positive plate. Overall, the result should be an improved cycle life.
Pros: leak proof, longer life, less sulfation.
Cons: more expensive, can't be used for starter motor, larger and heavier than AGM or lead acid.
Lithium-ion is a broad chemistry of batteries, the most common being LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate). They can withstand four or five times the number of cycles compared to most deep-cycle lead acid batteries (4,000+), can go down to a much lower state of charge, and can keep a reasonable level of charge for up to 12 months.
While lead acid batteries, in practice, only allow 30% of rated capacity, the best lithium batteries can be discharged to 70-80% of the rated capacity.
So really, a 100Ah lithium battery is the equivalent to having a 200Ah lead acid battery, only it will usually charge much quicker, is half the weight and a lot smaller.
A word of warning, though. Although lithium batteries can accept fluctuating voltage (13.6V-14.6V) like lead acid batteries, they should not be directly charged from an alternator because voltage spikes could damage them. A dedicated charger and battery management system is a necessity.
Pros: long-lasting, can use 80% of capacity, easier to manage, small, lightweight.
Cons: expensive (up to 4 x cost of wet lead acid), boat adaptations required.
Having had a brief look at batteries, I called marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies. I wondered if there was any possibility of reviving flat batteries.
'I'll be honest with you, start with new batteries,' he said. 'You're relying on this battery to start the boat. Yes it might pick up, but I guarantee it'll be like a dying swan when you need it.'
For domestic systems, Ben likes Numax batteries, which he says a lot of the industry use. For the cranker, he said, any automotive battery would do.
'I went down to my local tyre and exhaust place, and just got four heavy-duty deep cycle leisure batteries and one tidy cranker for the engine,' he told me.
Dell Quay Marine, Osculati, Raymarine, Shakespeare Marine, TruDesign, Screwfix, Coleman Marine Insurance, MDL Marinas, Premier Marinas, seajet, Marine & Industrial, Clean to Gleam, Dometic, West System, Farécla, Navigators Marine, Lewmar, RYA, Aqua Marine, Ecobat, Victron Energy, Scanstrut, T Sails and XP Rigging.
This feature appeared in the March edition of Practical Boat Owner. For more articles like this, including DIY, money-saving advice, great boat projects, expert tips and ways to improve your boat's performance, take out a magazine subscription to Britain's best-selling boating magazine.
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