EverStart Marine Batteries Specifications

by Elyse Gibbons
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Johnson Controls Inc. manufactures the EverStart battery for Wal-Mart stores. The batteries range from trolling motors to large diesel engines for autos, landscaping equipment and marines. Specifications for marine batteries include warranties, applications and general care and maintenance.

Usage

EverStart marine batteries provide boats with energy in three ways: as lighting batteries to supply the onboard electrical system, as power-transmission batteries for an electrical outboard engine or as energy supplies for electrical boats.

Warranties

Warranties offered through Wal-Mart range from none to a 108-month warranty. Wal-Mart offers a lineup of EverStart marine batteries with a two-year free replacement, 72-month prorated option and a three-year free replacement option with a 108-month prorated warranty. The most common offer is one year of free replacement with a 36-month prorated replacement. The warranties cover any battery within the approved period, but you must supply the original purchase receipt and warranty paperwork to receive appropriate warranty coverage. The majority of marine batteries last for one to two years. As of November 2010, Walmart offered free charging and testing on EverStart batteries at every location that houses a Tire and Lube Express (TLE).

Applications

The EverStart has a varied lineup. EverStart makes most of its marine batteries for large engine boats or simple trolling motors.Their line of starting and deep-cycle batteries is made for small-to-medium-sized boats. The deep-cycle batteries are designed to discharge heavily and provide a stable stream of current, while the EverStart starting battery unleashes small bursts of energy, which is better for powering a large boat. Jet skis and snowmobiles use lead- and acid-based batteries, and some newer models of marine recreational vehicles use absorbed glass-mat batteries (also lead-based).

Maintenance

EverStart sells maintenance-free batteries, so you do not have to add distilled or deionized water to them. In fact, opening the ports to the cells can void the battery's warranty. Store batteries in a cool, clean and dry environment elevated from the floor. Be sure to not leave the batteries connected to the marine vehicle when in long-term storage. Use a wire brush and specified acid cleaner to clean the terminals.

Warnings

For safety reasons, you shouldn't use the marine batteries supplying the onboard electrical system to start an in-built machine or an outboard engine. Instead, always use a separate starter battery.

Deep Cycle vs. Wet Cell

The EverStart marine battery, available at WalMart, is a wet-cell battery for starting. Dry and gel batteries do not have fill caps on the top of the battery. The wet-cell battery will die much faster than a deep-cycle battery if it is used for a trolling motor. On the other hand, the EverStart Maxx marine battery is a deep-cycle battery and is ideal for a trolling motor.

Cold Cranking Amps and Reserve Capacity

The most popular and largest EverStart marine battery is the Maxx 29. It has 875 cranking amps (tested at 32 degrees F and 80 degrees F) and 205 minutes reserve capacity (how long a new, fully charged battery can be continuously discharged, at 80 degrees F, at 25 amperes while maintaining a voltage equal to or higher than 1.75 volts per cell). As of 2010, it costs around $70 at WalMart.

Date Codes

When purchasing a battery, make sure it is fresh and not one that has been sitting on the store shelf for a long time. You can find the date code on the battery case or on the label. Look for a code that begins with a letter of the alphabet (A through L) and is followed by a number. The letter "A" is the code for January, the letter "B" is the code for February, and so on. The letter "L" is the final letter and stands for December. Determine the manufacturing year by the numbers that follow the letter. A "0" means the battery was manufactured in 2000 and a "1" means 2001. For 2010 aa "10" will be stamped on the battery. This date ensures a quality battery with appropriate life and charge for purchasing.

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