Boats are complex vehicles with many moving parts. Similar to how cars operate, boats have a battery that is crucial to turning the vehicle on. While cars can be used daily, boats are used seasonally depending on where you live, so the average watercraft owner may not know how long the battery will last. So how long should you wait to replace your marine battery?
The different types of marine batteries
The most common battery that can be found in watercrafts is a starter battery. These are used to start up the engine and don’t focus on much else. Deep cycle offers longer battery life as they can run longer and are used to keep accessories, such as navigation, lights, fish finders and audio systems, running on a watercraft.
While some boats may use a starter and a deep cycle battery, a dual-purpose battery is the best option. They can start the engine effectively while operating the accessories for a longer period of time, but not as long as a deep cycle battery.
What determines battery life?
How long a marine battery lasts depends on many factors. How often the boat is used being the most obvious. Other factors can include how long the watercraft is being used, what other accessories on the boat are active while it’s on and whether it’s maintained properly.
How to check your battery levels
You can check the voltage of your battery by using a multimeter. It’s similar to how you check a car battery. Make sure the vessel is completely turned off, then place the probes on the positive and negative terminals. Then the multimeter should show you the voltage levels.
How long does the average marine battery last?
Starter batteries tend to have the shortest lifespan compared with other batteries, lasting around three to five years. Deep cycle batteries can reach between four to six years on average while dual-purpose batteries can range between three to six years.
Keenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram at @keenanautos. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How long boat owners should expect their marine batteries to last
Reporting by Keenan Thompson, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Keenan Thompson, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
