If we mishandle boat batteries, they can lose capacity within a few seasons. A good quality battery can last five to seven years if cared for properly.
Every boat is different, but sailboats typically use a 12V marine battery. To install more batteries, place them in parallel. In this case, it’s better to stay than not enough 😉
Also, it is recommended to prepare batteries only for the motors.
As another example, in the case of a catamaran, each engine has its battery. Regardless, it should be remembered that a motor battery is one thing, and a service battery is another.
The electric motors (starting batteries) must be used separately, as they are only used to create the engine; they must be checked frequently and must not be allowed to run out.
Instead, service batteries power everything that needs electricity: interior and exterior lighting, navigation lights, refrigerators, water booster pumps, bilge pumps, navigation aids, radios, GPS, and radar…
There are two batteries: starter and service. A deep cycle service battery (or deep cycle) works as a starting battery, but the reverse (starting the deep process) is ineffective. Choose the correct battery and enjoy a safer, longer journey.
Preventive maintenance is the key to successfully keeping every system and facility up and running.
Just as important as carrying the battery is carrying the battery charge
We can recharge them by connecting them via a cable to the port’s power outlet or the motor’s alternator. The latter is the only option to charge the battery if we are on the move.
Several factors can negatively affect the condition of your battery. The two most important are incorrect charge and discharge cycles and high temperatures in the passenger compartment where the battery is installed. Both of these factors will cut battery life in half. Charge and discharge cycles must be perfectly designed and configured to keep the battery below 25°C as much as possible.
To avoid battery failure, we must follow three essential tips to take care of your boat’s batteries:
1. Check battery status
Good management is essential to prolong its lifespan. If we discharge them below 50% (even deep cycle batteries), their lifespan will significantly reduce.
The most common cause of battery failure is over-discharge.
We can use a battery monitoring system to measure all the energy being charged and consumed by the battery or even a simple digital voltmeter. If we see that the voltage has dropped close to 50% of its capacity, it is conveniently ready to charge.
Ship power consumption and control
Another issue we can consider is the calculation of daily energy consumption, estimating the current (in amperes) for the expected use time of our onboard electronic equipment within 24 hours. What are our suggestions? The batteries have a rated capacity of Ah (ampere per hour), which is three times the total daily consumption of the boat.
Also, small actions like avoiding turning on lights unnecessarily, replacing light bulbs with low-power LEDs, and ensuring the refrigerator is well-insulated will help extend battery life.
2. Install solar panels on your boat
The battery will discharge even if we don’t use the boat for a while. We can use a small solar panel to avoid these small self-discharges from underuse.
If we have a large bifacial solar panel, it would be appropriate to use a voltage regulator to prevent overcharging, and we will help replenish the battery.
We can also install a good battery charger. A good quality 12V solar battery charger will ensure that the battery is fully charged.
Batteries must be recharged regularly, especially if the use of the boat is limited. Use an excellent electronic charger that can adjust the charging current according to the needs of the battery.
The charger will automatically stop charging when the battery is no longer needed. It provides a reasonably low current, charging slower and not damaging the plates.
One last piece of advice, if the boat will not be used for a long time, the best thing to do is to remove the batteries and store them in a dry place without temperature extremes.
3. Install a Smart Charge Controller
An intelligent charge controller prevents a sharp drop in charge rate over time. Once it maintains the charge level closest to the initial figure, the alternator charges the battery quickly.
We can hook up a higher-wattage alternator to fully charge our battery.
An alternator is a device connected by a belt to the boat’s engine, and its purpose is to generate electricity to charge the batteries.
The alternator is the same size as the battery. The greater the current demand for the boat, the larger the alternator should be.
Enjoy safer, longer trips with boat batteries.
Batteries are crucial in ensuring your boat’s safety and comfort. It provides power for essential operations such as engine starting, radio equipment operation, GPS, navigation lights, heating, and cooling, so passengers can feel safe, fully enjoy their journey and stay connected to the outside world.
The Marine range meets the energy needs of professional installers and private users.
The range offers maximum reliability and the best electrical performance, enabling you to extend your travels in luxury and comfort onboard and benefit from an exceptionally long battery life. The boat-building industry prefers the higher range of the new Exide battery
To start the engine, it is recommended to use the Start battery, as internal combustion engines require high power peaks for short periods. We need high peak power and variable energy for dual power (motor starting and powering other electronics).
Uninterruptible power supplies for emergency equipment and accessories use a constant high power level. For these applications, we recommend gel batteries.