Trojan Boat Forum

I have used Dual-purpose Marine Batteries and never liked them , one was a delco , and 2 interstates never again I had to add water weekly ( to the interstates and they just did not seem to crank the engines over like a true starting battery ( both brands).. But I also had a interstate cranking that I did not like ( also drank water like a fish).( top of the line too ) . for what its worth I have a duralast in my car and its great . the boat now has 2 truck 4D batteries , cheap ones that do better then the duel purpose interstates ( 4D) that cost almost 2x as much. add a little water yearly ??

EXIDE.... For trucks. Best there is! One for the start, two for the house bank. No problems.

BRADMAN11 wrote:I HAVE A 1977 F30 FLYBRIDGE THAT I BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER.. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO POWER MY FRIDGE AND MAYBE A OUTLET OR TWO FOR THE MARGHRERITAVILLE BLENDER AND OTHER SMALL THINGS WHEN I AM OUT ON THE WATER. WHAT WOUDLD BE THE CHEAPEST AND EASIEST WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS?

I have a 77f30 and my fridge is both 12 and 110 power ,, go to a truck stop store and u can get 12v coffee makers and such,

I have a inverter for my computer and other small things if ur using them while under power its not as much of a issue ,,exteded use with the engins off is more of a concern , if u buy one buy a bigger one than u think because they never power what they say



9

Heefus, If you use the two switches leave them on "all" until you drop the anchor and shut off the engines then switch to "house" while on the hook. When you get ready to go, before starting the engines switch to "all" again, start your engines, pull the anchor and go. This way you won't have to switch while running and take a chance on ruining your alt. The house batteries will charge back up while your switches are on "all'. Using this method will not give you the best option for your system as the "house" and "starting" batteries will not be charging at the same rate but this will work until you get better finances together for improvements. I have gotten several years out of batteries doing this as long as the "house" batteries are not ran down too far before recharging. One night on the hook is enough. Of course most people don't stay in one place more than one night anyway.
risctaker, I have used these dual purpose batteries and they are fine but will not have as long of life as purpose built batteries. The better way to go is "Starting" batteries for "starting" and "deep cycle" batteries for "house". The money is not much different and the life is much, much longer and stronger. I have used them all trying to save money at different times and it's true,,, hind sight is twenty-twenty.

Attended a battery seminar put on by a battery manufacterer and this very subject came up regarding dual purpose designs. The engineer stated that given the physical requirements that both types need (deep cycle & crank), the best one could do for a given size is to engineer a fair compromise between the two functions period. Any claims stating otherwise is pure marketing according to him.

Makes good sense to me. looks like I'm heading for the Exide truck (4D) battery route. Thanks all.

cranking for cranking , deep cycle for the house is the best bet , it you use a lot of 12 volt power at rest