GLEN JUSTICE

Northstar Battery Company's use proprietary technology to fit in a very small footprint. The 170 FT (left) is actually an 8D battery.

Designed for use in racks and cabinets, some marine installers like them for applications like thrusters with dedicated power, because the batteries take up less space and can be installed near the thruster, requiring shorter cable runs. Some also have porting that allows gas discharge to be vented overboard.

Not all are marine-specific products, but marine installers use them (they were on display here at the Annapolis show). And the company does make a line of dedicated marine batteries, with the same sleek profile.

For certain projects, they may be worth a look.