The lifespan of boat batteries

The lifespan of marine batteries is closely related to the type of battery, the frequency of use, and the conditions of use. Under normal circumstances, the lifespan of ordinary batteries is about 5 years, but the lifespan of lithium batteries is generally more than 10 years.

Factors affecting the lifespan of marine batteries

(1) Frequency of use: the higher the frequency of use of the battery, the more often it is charged, the shorter its life will be.

(2) Degree of charging: overcharging or undercharging will shorten the lifespan of the battery.

(3) Ambient temperature: in winter, when the weather is bitterly cold, the battery takes longer to charge and has a shorter discharge time, which may also cause the battery to freeze. Similarly, in hot weather, the chemical reaction inside the battery will be accelerated, which may lead to damage to the battery and cause irreparable consequences.

(4) Installation condition: If the battery is installed in a more humid part of the hull, it is likely to lead to corrosion and affect battery performance.

(5) Depth of discharge: If a lithium battery is used, when the battery is over-discharged, the internal pressure of the battery may increase, causing irreversible damage to the battery. At this point, even charging will not fully restore the performance of the battery.

(6) Storage conditions: When winter comes, we usually remove the batteries from the boat and store them for the next season. At this time, if you leave the battery in a damp place without any protection, you will probably need to replace the battery in the coming year.

How to extend the life of marine batteries?

(1) If you are using lead-acid batteries, keep the discharge at about 50%, and lithium batteries at 80%, to avoid deep discharge affecting the battery performance or shortening the lifespan of the battery;

(2) Use a charger that matches the battery when charging the battery, and also take care to avoid overcharging or undercharging;

(3) Clean regularly to prevent corrosion of cables and other components;

(4) When storing the battery, pay attention to put the battery in a cool and dry place, take good dustproof measures and regularly charge and discharge the battery;

(5) When using the battery in strict accordance with the requirements of the manual, in order to prevent improper operation of the battery caused great damage;

(6) In the use of the period, to regularly measure the battery voltage, in order to timely find out whether the battery failure.

Types of marine batteries

Starting battery: This is a type of battery that provides a large amount of energy for engine starting in a short period of time, and the life span is generally more than five years;

Deep cycle battery: it is different from the starting battery, used for trolling motors and other equipment to provide power continuously, life is generally shorter than the starting battery;

Dual-purpose batteries: as the name suggests, this type of battery can start the engine as well as run auxiliary equipment, but it does not run both functions at the same time.

How to tell if you need to replace your marine battery?

If the engine starts slowly or if there is a reduction in power output, etc., pay attention to the timely maintenance of the battery and consider whether it is necessary to replace the battery. You should also pay attention to whether the battery leaks, swells, cracks, etc., and test the battery’s health condition regularly, and ask a professional whether the battery needs to be replaced according to the specific situation.

Conclusion

The life of a battery is not an exact number. Regular maintenance and repair will extend the life of the battery, but abuse regardless will also shorten the life of the battery.