Ok folks, the 240 will have her fourth birthday soon. I have read that a normal life expectancy for boat batteries is four years. I currently have Interstate batteries (2). I have to do some photo hunting to see if they are both deep cycle or cranking, but they are both the same.
I have them hooked up to a Guest battery charger when I am not using the boat.
What have y'all used when replacing your batteries? Do you have both the same (i.e. cranking or deep cycle) or one of each? Can I use the Optima batteries with an onboard charger?
Interested in all replies. TIA.
John
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2004 Cobalt 240 8.1 GiDP 2008 HD Ultra Classic (old man bike) 2008 HD Rocker C (mid-life crisis bike)
Registered: 01/13/03
Posts: 2307
Loc: Fruit Heights, Utah
For my number one battery I use deep cycle starting. For number 2 it's just deep cycle. Should have replaced #1 last year, as after a layup for as short as 2 weeks it wouldn't start the boat without the help of number 2, but out on the lake it started it just fine every time.
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I have two marine deep cycle/starting batteries and probably the same charger you have. I have never had a need for "real" deep cycle batteries, even with a 12V fridge and spending the night on the hook. I plug in my shore power overnight (on the trailer) before each trip, to be sure the batteries are up to snuff, and about once a month in the off-season. My batteries have removeable caps and I top them off with distilled water every Spring. Since you have two batteries, why not just use them until one quits? You already have redundancy. Once one dies, replace both (like headlights).
I have two marine deep cycle/starting batteries and probably the same charger you have. I have never had a need for "real" deep cycle batteries, even with a 12V fridge and spending the night on the hook. I plug in my shore power overnight (on the trailer) before each trip, to be sure the batteries are up to snuff, and about once a month in the off-season. My batteries have removeable caps and I top them off with distilled water every Spring. Since you have two batteries, why not just use them until one quits? You already have redundancy. Once one dies, replace both (like headlights).
Probably not a bad idea, but being too familiar with Murphy's law, it would be my luck that the twins would both go out at the same time
_________________________
2004 Cobalt 240 8.1 GiDP 2008 HD Ultra Classic (old man bike) 2008 HD Rocker C (mid-life crisis bike)
#378316 - 02/09/0810:45 AMRe: Time to replace my dual batteries..Which type?
[Re: WaterMutt]
Frantically Relaxing
Never get out of the boat
Admiral
Registered: 02/07/03
Posts: 6345
to sorta echo seabuddy, and assuming you're not running refrigerators, DVD players and microwaves, just get cheap starting batteries. Only once in the past zillion years has even the cheapest battery I've bought (I and I always buy the cheapest I can find) failed in less than 4 years (and that one failed in less than ONE, so the warrantee covered it).
And you're in Texas, so you probably won't even have winter issues to worry about...
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Find a good deal on a pair of agm style batteries and you'll have no worries for many years. There are some very good buys to be had from places like Bass Pro Shops in the spring. A pair of group 24s should do you just fine.
Find a good deal on a pair of agm style batteries and you'll have no worries for many years. There are some very good buys to be had from places like Bass Pro Shops in the spring. A pair of group 24s should do you just fine.
Ditto, I've had a set of Orbital AGM deepcycle and starting batteries for four years and love the maintenance free and no corrosion aspect.
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