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Gary Warner
 
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Default Which Battery To Buy

I'm wondering which type, size, and brand of batteries to buy
so any help, advice, or reccomendations would be appreciated.


SITUTION:
This is for 22 foot runabout. Engine is an inboard Chris-Craft
model "M" with a generator and voltage regulator. Electronics
on-board are cockpit lights, cabin light, bow and stern nav light,
depth finder, and instrument lights, hand-held & rechargeable
GPS and VHF, and a rechargeable hand-held spot light.

Use will probably be mostly day-time and trailered, though
there may be times the boat would be docked for a month
or more.


SETUP:
I'm going to have two batteries on an 1 / 2 / ALL switch. Normally
I'll run from just one battery or the other. There is a battery-combiner
so that even if the switch is on only one battery, both will be in the
charging loop when the generator is producing excess charge.

THOUGHTS SO FAR:
- Get two batteries that are the same.
- Get "dual-purpose" batteries for both starting & regular use.
- Get standard "flooded" batteries.

The reason I'm thinking flooded instead of Gel or AGM is:
- I'm not concerned about ventilation, tipping, or side mounting.
- Flooded are less expensive and weigh less.
- They may not hold up quite as well to vibration but this boat
I don't expect too much pounding type use.


MAIN QUESTIONS:
- Is flooded the right choice or am I missing something?
- Is there a particular brand or store that is best to deal with?
- What else am I wrong on or forgetting?


THANKS to all who have answered my many questions!!
Gary