*** Marine Battery Use Survey ***

[Maine Sail]

Hi All,

I am working on a few articles for marine publications and would like to gather some data on marine batteries and their use.

The survey is quick and easy to complete. Please be honest in your answers. Dishonesty or exaggerating serves no purpose to the data I am looking for so please, please, please answer as honestly as you can.

Please note many answers can have multiple boxes checked:

****Marine Battery Use Survey****

or

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2FGQHGN

[Northstar1014]

Done.

I sure learned a lot about what I dont know about batteries!

BTW, Costco now carries Interstates. They have their regular automotive starting batteries, but also the "marine" batteries, which I assume are flooded lead acid hybrids of starting / deep cycle.

Never really knew if either of these types are appropriate on a cruising boat.

Best of luck with your survey.

Ted

[Klem]

Completed. Thanks for doing this. Whenever the article(s) come out, I hope that you post it up as I would be interested in reading them. Thanks for all of the wonderful articles you have done regarding marine electrical systems and other stuff.

[Keith]

Completed survey. Please explain what equalizing is?

[Ken Cave]

Thanks for the survey! Very complete!

For batteries, please note that all battery makers (there are about three in all) have different levels of
quality. As an example, I use Interstate batteries (4 six volt for house, and one 12 volt for the engine).
When looking around for replacement, I found that Interstate has a premium battery this is not necessarily
sold in stores or in marinas for that matter. The premium batteries costs a bit more, but are worth it in
the long run. Might check it out when your turn to replace your batteries.

Ken Cave

[Joe Myerson]

OK, I filled out the survey and realized how little I know.
Hope it helps.
--Joe

[swhfire21]

I'll have to pass on survey, I've read so much about batteries the last two weeks I'm not sure what is actual experience or something I read anymore. Someone mentioned Interstate which seems to be the only battery anyone carries here in South Jersey. What the heck, I don't think they ever rate anything (even their deep cycle batteries) in Ah and their website is about as helpful as a wart.

[Maine Sail]

Thanks for the survey! Very complete!

For batteries, please note that all battery makers (there are about three in all) have different levels of
quality. As an example, I use Interstate batteries (4 six volt for house, and one 12 volt for the engine).
When looking around for replacement, I found that Interstate has a premium battery this is not necessarily
sold in stores or in marinas for that matter. The premium batteries costs a bit more, but are worth it in
the long run. Might check it out when your turn to replace your batteries.

Ken Cave

Actually there are more than three but that is the rumor that gets passed around the net. And yes there are different battery grades but the "deep cycle" waters get blurred by marketing departments.

Here's a piece I wrote on the differences between deep cycle batteries:

What Is A Deep Cycle Battery?


US Battery manufacturers off the top of my head:

Trojan
US Battery
East Penn
Johnson Controls
Dyno
Lifeline
Enersys/Odyssey
Northstar
Firefly
Superior
Crown

[johnny of STORK]

I'm sure West Marine SeaGel batteries are made by somebody else -- Any guesses who?

Johnny

[Jim Walsh]

I'm sure West Marine SeaGel batteries are made by somebody else -- Any guesses who?

Johnny

East Penn Manufacturing Company