Do you need to get a new marine battery for your boat, but do not know a lot about them? If so, you'll likely have these questions about marine batteries.

How Are Car Batteries And Marine Batteries Different? 

You may need to know why you need a special marine battery for your boat. A car battery is designed specifically for a car since it needs a boost of power to crank and start your vehicle's engine. In addition, the alternator replaces the capacity of the battery that is used so that your battery is charged while you drive.

A marine battery is a bit different. Not only does it need to do all of the things that a car battery does, but it needs the ability to supply power to all of your other onboard accessories. In addition, the battery needs to be capable of resisting shock and vibrations from wave impact. A car battery could fail unexpectedly when used in a boat because of this.

What Is A Deep Cycle Battery? 

A deep cycle battery will be needed when your power needs on a boat are quite great. For example, you may be running a refrigerator, a fish finder, and a navigation system. These deep cycle batteries supply heavier electrical loads to these items that are not possible with a regular battery, which helps ensure that everything on your boat has the power it needs.

What Are Cranking Amps?

Marine batteries have a measurement known as marine cranking amps (MCA). It's different from the measurement known as cold cranking amps (CCA) used for other batteries because a boat is not going to be used in a situation where temperatures are below freezing. The MCA tells you how much power the battery can provide to crank your boat's engine. You'll need to make sure that the marine battery that you buy has the proper MCA for your boat's engine.

When Should You Check Your Marine Battery? 

It is always a good idea to have your battery checked once a year. Make this a habit to do it before you put your boat back in the water each spring. This will help ensure that the boat's battery is healthy and will be able to make it through the season, and you won't be forced to perform battery maintenance when the boat is in the water. It is always better to be proactive about battery care than to wait until there is a problem. 

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