Battery age

J

justgotaboat

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
RO Number
31427
Messages
159
I've had my battieries since 2010. They work fine and show no signs of issue. Just curious how long they usually last and should I start thinking about replacing them anytime soon. There are 2 interstate marine AGM batteries I believe, but would have to double heck anything more specific. The boat is a 2001 sea ray 245 weekender.
 
Sounds like you are very lucky so far. Usually 3-6 years is the average. Most people would rather change the batteries sooner than later. No one wants to get stuck and turn what could have been a good day into a day of misery.
 
you were on borrowed time.

you are now WAY PAST borrowed time...…

RWS
 
I do swap batteries everyday we use it. So I figured if they were showing signs of age it would come up and I would still have the other battery or the option of both to get me home.
 
On a related note, I had to replace a 2 year old battery this year. My other one is 4 years old and going strong. I know when I bought it wasn't old stock too. Sometimes age isn't the only factor.
 
Just replaced my 4 batteries. I looked up when I last replaced them. 2009... 9 years old, they owe me nothing.
 
As above, I usually expect 3-5+ years out of a good marine battery but that can vary either way for various reasons. As Stephen said, "Sometimes age isn't the only factor."

IMO, It's a good idea to test your marine batteries at least once a year with at least a digital battery conductance analyzer ( after a full charge) to get an idea of what their present CCA capacity is compared to the original specs on the case label.

I use a handy Midtronics MDX-P300 analyzer with printer and attach the printout to each battery, but most any shop that sells 12 v batteries will test for free if you take yours to them.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&k...d=kwd-302486896937&ref=pd_sl_9mea8p5mdc_e_p38

One hint though - If results are poor or fail with, say, the threaded stud posts, try the test again attaching to the big lug posts or vice versa. The results can be quite different at times and this can save discarding a very usable good battery.
 
I have been amazed at how poorly a MerCruiser can run with battery connections that Look Good! NEVER hesitate to give them a good workout with stainless brush and some grease or NoCo! A hint of this can appear once up on plane and you blip the Power Trim. Engine falters ==>> Check terminals.
 
Battery "age" is not necessarily time dependent.

This webpage gives a partial overview:
https://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/lead-acid-batteries/characteristics-of-lead-acid-batteries

Mostly, battery "age" is dependent on cycles, depth of discharge ( and recharge! ), and discharge rates.

This makes calculating a battery's "age" complex and challenging.

Sandy's comment about anual testing is a good plan.

So is "babying" your batteries. Frequent maintenance, minimal depth of discharge and "moderate" discharge and recharge rates.

Of course, they are consumable resources. If you need to abuse them, do it, but realize that you are "consuming" the batteries lifespan when you do so.

In any event, it is a rare lead acid battery that will perform well after 10+ years, regardless of usage.
 
As most have stated, I too understand about the age concern & my logic/experience says it will be time soon. However it sounds like with having the second battery as your backup you should be ok until one craps out?

Having just bought my boat where the batteries were just replaced, I’m thinking I’m covered for a while. With 6x8D’s, 4x31’s & 1x27 I’m not looking forward to replacing them

BTW, Having SeaTow or BoatUS can always help your peace of mind.
 
I do go easy on my batteries. We don’t draw much off of them and use them often so they recharge often. But I’ll look into new ones soon
 
quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

As most have stated, I too understand about the age concern & my logic/experience says it will be time soon. However it sounds like with having the second battery as your backup you should be ok until one craps out?

Having just bought my boat where the batteries were just replaced, I’m thinking I’m covered for a while. With 6x8D’s, 4x31’s & 1x27 I’m not looking forward to replacing them

BTW, Having SeaTow or BoatUS can always help your peace of mind.

Click to expand...


Re: relying on the tow companies in case of battery failure. -

I believe the major towers have a policy they will not tow a twin engine boat if at least one engine can still turn a prop in F gear.

But most multi-battery boats are wired such that a failed battery can be bypassed with another good one, or at least should have sufficient jumper cables onboard , and/or nowadays a compact lithium battery emergency start pack.

Even in circumstances when they won't tow a member operator for free , the tow boats may provide a jump start if really needed.
 
It is very bad to go past 5 years old with a car start battery. But I would never even think of going past this in a boat battery. Even on multi engine/battery boats. I just had the original battery fail in my wife's 2013 SRX. I had been intending to change it, but just not gotten to SAMS. It failed as it sat in the garage without ANY preliminary signals. I could not even jump start. The tow truck operator had a very large capacity jumper and was able to start the truck.

George
 
I think it depends on your boating style also. I am a bay boater. Have now been in the ocean in years. I have 5 batteries 2 start, 2 house, and generator. I believe that house batteries need to be replaced in pairs. An old house battery can drain a new house battery when they r hooked up together. As for starting I test a couple of times a year and keep water topped off. If bad I replace 1 at a time. I also have generator which I can start and charge dead battery. If I get stuck because of dead batteries it is a total system failure. Also batteries are wired with a switch at dash to combine them if 1 is weak or dead. This works for me but not everone
 
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