Best Battery for Outboard Motor

An outboard is the most common method for moving small boats since it contains an electric motor or an engine that powers the propeller, which moves the boat. While these both help the boats move efficiently, the battery they use must be perfect for withstanding every environment since there are many differences in the operation of a car and a boat.

That’s why the outboard motor uses a different type of battery than the most used batteries.

Best Battery for Electric Outboard Motor

The batteries we usually use for a car's engine usually include lead-acid batteries. However, the ones for power backup units include both lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries. Choosing the battery for an outboard motor can be a little confusing. So, when selecting the best battery for your electric outboard motor, here are all the factors to consider.

Battery Type

The first one is the battery type. Lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries make the best options and the most common choices for our daily life batteries. When it comes to an outboard motor, you need to select one of these depending on the utilization.

For instance, a lead acid battery may be able to start the engine, while a lithium-ion may make a better choice for powering electronics. There are dual-purpose batteries as well that serve both purposes.

Battery Cycle Technology

Cycle technology is an important quality to look for when selecting a marine battery. Deep Cycle battery technology is preferable since it provides the following:

Longer running time

Better power output

Higher safe discharge rates

A normal battery cannot perform the same with such qualities required.

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Voltage Range

The low-voltage batteries do not make a better option for your outboard motor. Depending on the number of electronics and their specific requirements, you need one or more 12-volt batteries. Anything below that may not be enough while going over that voltage may not be safe.

Amp Hour Capacity

Lastly, you need to check the capacity. It is usually mentioned as Ah or amp hours with the battery. Anything ranging between 100 and 110 Ah is perfect for an outboard motor battery since it can provide power for a longer time than your boat's electronics require from you.

Going for a LiFePO4 battery will give you the most optimal results in every aspect.

Best Battery for Boat Electronics

Whether we talk about electric or combustion engine cars, an engine or motor runs the car, and there are some electronic components in the car. The same is the case with boats. However, the thing with cars is that they use the same battery for every application, but with boats, we need different batteries depending on the application.

Different Types of Boat Batteries

The boat batteries come in both lead-acid and lithium-ion technologies. The main thing about these batteries is that they either come as a starting or cranking battery or a deep cycle battery. There is a third type as well which is known as a dual-purpose battery. The best one for powering a boat’s electronics is the deep cycle battery, while the dual-purpose can also get the job done.

Deep Cycle or Dual-purpose Batteries

Going for a dedicated deep cycle or a dual-purpose battery for running electronic components in your boat can bring several benefits. The top ones include: 

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Reliability with Enough Backup

These batteries are reliable with a long backup range. Since they are designed to power these electronics, their usage brings peace of mind since you don’t have any power sources when in water. These batteries maintain their output range for the given time.

Longer Life and Lasting

Going with a deep cycle for usage in a boat means you will get a longer lifespan from the battery. This battery type is designed to discharge safely for up to 80% or even more, so you can get long-lasting power.

Dedicated one for Electronics only

An important thing to note here is that these batteries are only dedicated to electronics, and you cannot use these for cranking the engine since the power output will not be that much here.

Best Marine Cranking Battery

A reliable cranking battery is essential for the boats that come with an engine to propel the boat. Not all boat engines can be kick-started, and in extreme weather conditions, getting a self-start cranking engine is better for safety reasons. So, here are the main qualities to look for in the best battery for cranking your boat's engine.

Burst of Power for a Short Time 

The marine cranking battery is designed to give out a burst of power for a short time. It is the time during which the engine of your boat starts. While other batteries are designed for maximum discharge rate and longer life, the cranking batteries only need to give off power quickly, and their discharge rates are not as high.

Cold Cranking Feature

Even when the temperature is not cold, the motor is always in contact with the water which brings up the problem of temperature being cold and heat loss from the engine. Sea water is also cold most times, so the engine's temperature stays cold. A marine cranking battery must have a cold cranking feature that can crank start an engine in cold temperatures.

Charging From the Alternator

These batteries must support charging from the alternator of the boat. Since fuel is used for running the engine, it also runs the alternator, and the battery quickly charges for the next time you need to crank start the engine.

Not Suitable for Powering Electronics

Remember that the cranking batteries are not suitable for reliably powering the electronics. Even if they do, you may not be able to get power from the battery for a long time due to their low discharge rates. So, if you want a battery that works as cranking as well as powering the engine, then a dual-purpose battery is the right option.

Conclusion

The battery for an outboard motor cannot be the same that you use in your car, UPS, or other devices. You must consider different factors while selecting a marine battery, including the amp hour capacity, cycle type, voltage, etc. With all these qualities, the battery makes either a reliable or unreliable option since you cannot get many backup options or help when in water compared to when on the road.