Narrow Boat Batteries

Many of our potential customers ask us about how the batteries work on a narrow boat. So in this article we will explain the two different types of batteries you have on board and how they are used.

The physical size of the battery unit does not affect the ratings or the performance of the battery. The batteries provide you with the main source of power for all your electrical appliances on your boat.

Starter or also known as a Traction Battery

The starter battery is designed to deliver a large amount of power in a quick period of time. This is perfect for when you are trying to start the engine. A cold engine will need a large amount of power to get the engine going.

Leisure or also known as a Deep Cycle Battery

With leisure batteries you will have a bank of batteries sometimes 3 or 4 batteries together. The leisure batteries run your day to day appliances such as your water pump, cooker ignition and lights etc. Therefore they need to deliver power over long periods of time.

Leisure batteries have a voltage of 12volts not 240volts like in a home.

The two types of batteries are kept in separate banks, typically on opposite sides of the boat.

The batteries are kept apart for a good reason; the leisure batteries can be drained when they are trying to maintain the entertainment systems and other appliances within the boat if running for a long period of time. If this does happen you can then rely on the starter battery to start your engine and to recharge the leisure batteries.

The Isolator Key

Isolator keys are used to keep the power stored in the batteries away from the circuitry. It also helps to avoid the batteries beginning drained when the equipment is left unused over long periods of time.  

Watch this video which explains the differences between the two sorts of batteries used on a narrow boat...