Selecting the right marine batteries for your boat or other application is essential. A battery that is not large enough for the job you need it to do will eventually leave you with a dead battery and a lot of frustration. When selecting marine batteries, there is help if you need it; you just need to know where to look.
Battery Sizes
Marine batteries have several different sizes or ratings that you should be aware of. The batteries are rated by the group size, which is the physical size of the battery. The height, length, and depth of the battery are assigned to a group, and when you are looking for new boat batteries, the group size assures the new battery will fit properly in the battery well on the boat.
The second size rating involves the output of the batteries and often is expressed in amps. Boat batteries are typically twelve volts, but they can be anywhere from a few hundred amps to over a thousand amps of power, and that rating can determine how long the battery will last, as well as what it can be used to power.
It is vital that you determine what both of these ratings or sizes need to be before buying marine batteries for your boat. The information should be on the old battery, but if you can't find it or it is no longer legible, you can take the battery and head to your nearest marine battery supply to find a new battery that matches yours.
Battery Configurations
There are many different configurations on marine batteries with similar ratings and sizes as the one you are removing from your boat. Take a minute and look at the location of the battery terminals and the styles used on your old battery.
It is essential that the battery cables in the boat reach the battery and connect correctly. If the original battery was a top post configuration, and you buy a side post battery to replace it, you may not be able to connect it to the battery cables. If the cables do connect, they may be in a spot that could allow them to contact something like the metal battery support and cause a short on the boat.
Taking the old battery to the marine battery supply is a good idea and allows you to compare the two batteries to ensure they match. If you are having trouble finding your new battery, you can ask for help from the associate at the marine battery supply. They are well-versed in the differences between the batteries and can help you find the correct replacement for your boat.