Battery Question - Newb

[ftrooppaso]

We just picked up our 2004 24V last night. The boat has the original batteries and the owner said it would be best, for peace of mind, to put in new batteries. I have looked at a lot of the previous threads, but nothing really stood out.

What would be the best replacement batteries? It has two onboard. Is Optima battery a good one, or just over-priced? I have tried to do some online research, but thought I would ask here, too.

Jim

[chpthril]

I would definitely pass on the Optima batteries and go for a quality marine Group-24 lead-acid wet cell. Without knowing more about the house loads and how you will use the boat, I would suggest either a pair of dual-purpose or a cranking and a deep-cycle.

[ftrooppaso]

I would definitely pass on the Optima batteries and go for a quality marine Group-24 lead-acid wet cell. Without knowing more about the house loads and how you will use the boat, I would suggest either a pair of dual-purpose or a cranking and a deep-cycle.

Being so new to boating, I am going to assume a Group-24 is a type of battery, versus a brand, right? Sorry for being so ignorant! I will get this eventually! Are all Group-24 similar? I have four teenage kids so they will want to be playing the stereo all the time, whether running or not. Does that make a difference?

[mls6722]

Ftroop, yes group 24 is a size. That is the standard size of your original Tige batteries. There are two batteries on the boat, a starting battery (powers the engine electrical system also) and a house battery which powers the boat electronics - mainly the stereo. You will find Marine batteries may be called - marine cranking / or deep cycle. You have one of each. As Chpthril says, you can replace the cranking with another cranking battery, or a dual use (cranking and deep cycle). Same for the house battery. There are plenty of opinions on best batteries. I have had good experience with Costco marine batteries. I always remove them from the boat in the off season and charge them once per month. Letting a battery sit in a discharged state is not good. Good luck with the new (to you) boat. I agree with the original owner - batteries more than 10 years old are well past their useful life. 4-7 years is a good rule of thumb for batteries.

[chpthril]

Batteries, regardless of whether its for a boat, car, truck, etc, are sized by a group number. Your boat came from the factory with group-24 batteries and battery boxes. This will be the best fit. All group sizes are about the same W x H x L, but can very in their specs.Within the group-24 market, you can find dual-purpose batteries that are good for all around use like starting and powering moderate house loads for a short term, dedicated cranking batteries that are best suited for use a your primary starting battery, and then deep-cycles witch are best suited for power house loads that may deeply deplete the battery. I would go with a cranking and deep-cycle group-24. Brand really doesnt make a difference, but im partial to Interstate.

[WakerideN]

Batteries, regardless of whether its for a boat, car, truck, etc, are sized by a group number. Your boat came from the factory with group-24 batteries and battery boxes. This will be the best fit. All group sizes are about the same W x H x L, but can very in their specs.Within the group-24 market, you can find dual-purpose batteries that are good for all around use like starting and powering moderate house loads for a short term, dedicated cranking batteries that are best suited for use a your primary starting battery, and then deep-cycles witch are best suited for power house loads that may deeply deplete the battery. I would go with a cranking and deep-cycle group-24. Brand really doesnt make a difference, but im partial to Interstate.

x2 on the interstate