www.iFourWinns.com

I am looking into purchasing a couple of new batteries this spring for my 258 and don't know much about them.

I believe that I want a starting battery and a deep cycle battery.

I don't want to be cheep and save a buck to get a lesser quality battery - but also don't want to buy a cadilac if I don't need it.

I plan to camp from time to time (no shore power) so my deep cycle should be a good quality battery.

And of course I want my boat to start dependably so I want a starting battery to do just that.

I also have a Guest battery charger that has a 5 amp and a 10 amp. Do i use the 5 amp for the starting battery and the 10 amp for the deep cycle?

Thanks - Ken

Ken,

Look into lifeline batteries. http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/

I replaced the Interstate ones that came with mine 298. They looked like they were maintenance-free, but were not. I neglected to keep the electrolyte level full.

Lifeline are maintenance-free. They are AGM type. the website will describe advantages of this type vs others (flooded cell-cheaper batteries, gel). They are not cheap. But the first time you try to start your engines the following morning on the hook and not enough juice to start your engines, you wish you spent the money. Longer than average warranty and battery life.

You can get the same size battery for your engine battery and "hotel services" battery with Lifeline.

As far as where to connect the different charger connections. Just keep it the way it is now. The Charger should be able to change the charging current as the battery voltage increases, then keep it on a float charge when the charger senses. If your charger doesn't do this, suggest you get one that does. I changed my Guest to Charles Industries, also not cheap. But the quality of the charger can dictate the life of the battery - charging rate profile is important.

Joe

Thanks for the info Joe !

Ken

I use interstate RV/marine deep cycle batteries in both the boat and trailer. I like them. The key to long life, is to keep them charged up year round. I remove them from the boat and trailer in the off season and charge once a month. I use the two of the same battery in my boat, I don't go with one deep and one starting. I just try to rotate which one I use on each trip, to exersise each battery.
Using this method, I get approx 7-8 seasons out of a set of batteries, which works for me.

IMHO the best battery for the boat would be the optima (gel filled, maintenance free), but they are almost double the price.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
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Ken,

I was recently speaking with a battery rep and it was recommended to use use AGM (several reasons). For the Ship System battery on my 298 they recommended using two 6V golf cart type AGM batteries in series. This configuration provides @ four time the AH rating at 20hr draw. The golf cart batteries also have thicker plates and are designed for the heavier loading and deep discharging associated with the "house" battery.

I'm going to purchase two new AGM style starting batteries (one for each engine) and two of the AGM style 6V golf batteries for the "house" systems.

Mike

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2002 Vista 298 VP 5.0Gxi

Thanks everyone for the replies !

Ken