I believe that alike refers to the battery technology, as in flooded or Gel cells. The two types have different charge characteristics, and most chargers will have a switch to set the type of battery.
I cooked a set of Sam's Interstate batteries by not knowing that the charger on my new old boat was set for Gel cells, which has a higher float voltage. Unfortunately, our C27's, as factory equipped, have fittings for two size 24 batteries. I finally decided to go with two of the Optima Blue top dual-purpose batteries. http://www.optimabatteries.com/ I made spacers for the top out of 1x2 pine because the D34M size is a little shorter then the size 24 battery. I got the Optimas from Sam's. There are no battery boxes for the D34M size battery because Optima suggests that they are not needed. I continue to use the size 24 battery boxes to keep the battery terminals covered. I also no longer use the shore power charger full time. I find that my once every week or two motoring out into the lake is enough to keep them charged. I always keep the battery switch in the middle position for starting and motoring. I switch to battery 1 or 2 while under sail or at anchor after sunset and need lights. John 1985 C27TR 5956 Cool Change Lake Travis, Austin, TX [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > List > > It appears I am in the market for two new batteries, deep cycle and a > starter. > > Question > > I have read Don Casey and monitored this site and have learned _both > batteries should be replaced at the same time and only alike batteries > should be charged together. For charging purposes, is a deep cycle and > a starter considered alike?_ > __ > John Jennings > C27 5267 > Middle River, MD
