Deep Cycle vs. Starting battery

[vintony]

I have a 2002 22i with 2 aftermarket installed batteries in it. Both are Optima Blue Top deep cycle batteries. I want to replace this year with fresh ones. Is 2 deep cycle fine or should I go 1 deep cycle and 1 starting. Not sure I understand the difference. BTW, both run thourgh a Perko switch.

Thanks.

[chpthril]

I have a 2002 22i with 2 aftermarket installed batteries in it. Both are Optima Blue Top deep cycle batteries. I want to replace this year with fresh ones. Is 2 deep cycle fine or should I go 1 deep cycle and 1 starting. Not sure I understand the difference. BTW, both run thourgh a Perko switch.

Thanks.

A starting battery is ment to discharge a large amount of currant in a short period of time, like starting an engine. A deep cycle is intended to have a long and steady current draw such as a trolling motor, or in our case, a stereo playing all day.

Buy a starting battery based on cold cranking amps (CC's) higher the better
buy a deep cycle bases on it's amp hour (Ah) rating, again, higher is better as it will give you more "tune" time between cherges.

Do a search for "battery" there is a lot of good info about battery options and multi-battery installs. Personally, I'm not a fan of Optimas because for the money, there are batteries out there with better specs.

[lee]

Why would you want to get rid of the blue top Optima batteries?

[vintony]

Lee:

They have been in the boat since 2002. Last year I had trouble charging them as a trickle charger I had didn't seem to do the trick. Is there a special way to charge? My concern is they are out of date and should be replaced. Thoughts?

[spharis]

Just use two stating/deep cycle marine batteries (like the Optimas). Most of them have CCA close to or matching a starter. They are an all around battery. My Exides do awesome on discharge, and have a CCA of over 800 at 32degrees +.

[Moki]

I use all deep cycle batteries. As Spharis said, CCA is similar and they handle being discharged and charged better.