
Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | As far as I'm concerned, no Trojan, beats a Trojan!
But, seriously there is a big difference in battery types- cranking versus deep-cycle (trolling motor). If you could cut them open, you will find significant differences in the mechanical construction. Those mechanical differences create very different performance profiles.
Do not use a deep-cycle as a cranking battery, it's a waste of money! Likewise using a cranking as a trolling motor battery is also a waste of money. Either one will work in the other's place in an emergency, but not optimally and should be replaced with the proper type ASAP.
The dual purpose is an good idea if you have a lot of electronics attached to the cranking battery. It's also a bad idea to run electronics from a trolling motor battery. The best solution for boats with lots of electronics is to give them their own deep cycle battery. Nothing's worse than an main engine that fails to start & you're miles away from camp. But, also nothing's better in that situation than a set of jumper cables in the boat either!
If you want the best cranking battery - use a sealed/no-Mainetnance (AGM) cranking battery, don't use a wet-cell. Why? AGM's inherently have better cold cranking power than wet-cells, again because of the battery construction and battery chemistry.
Have fun!
Al
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