Facts About Marine Batteries

A boat having its batteries charged at a marina.

Marine batteries are used to start boats and power boat accessories such as trolling motors, lights and radios. In general, there are two types of batteries: starting and deep-cycle. Marine batteries are a combination of the two.

Types of Batteries

Starting batteries are used to provide a short burst of high voltage to start the engine and are then recharged. They have thin plates of lead and deep cycle have thick plates. Large boats may have banks of both kinds of batteries connected together. Smaller boats may use just one battery. Both types need to be recharged after use.

Lead Acid Batteries

Most marine batteries consist of lead acid. They are made of plates of lead interleaved with layers of a porous material and the whole thing is soaked in a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. The chemical interaction between the lead and the acid is what generates electricity.

Recycling

Ninety-six percent of all lead acid batteries are recycled, including marine batteries. This makes them the most highly recycled item of all consumer products. The lead and plastic are re-manufactured into new batteries.

References

• Boat Safe: Marine Battery Primer
• Cabelas: Marine Battery Buyer's Guide