What is a good deep cycle battery replacement

I am surprised the deep cycle works in that role at all. The GU alternator probably only gets the battery to 60% charge on the alternator even after running all day. You would be better off with a marine battery or something similar. I confess I am not a battery expert, and I am sure others who are will chime in, but my experience is that deep cycle batteries are not good in this role, when charged from a standard alternator.

I found on my old GU that heat was the biggest killer. Once I moved the battery to the rear and used a dc to dc charger....problems were solved. I also do it the same way on my D4. Battery cops a proper charge. The patrol battery had a good surface charge, but once I moved the battery to the rear the length of run time was almost twice as good as what it was under the bonnet.

To me lower heat, and not using a bulk charger from the alternator has been a significantly better result.

Brett....

Russler
The heat of an engine bay will kill a deepcycle battery, they just don't like being hot.

The charging from the alternator, depending on it's regulated voltage would either be insufficient to fully charge it as mentioned.
OR
If the alt was delivering full voltage ie, 14.4v or a bit more, to the deepcycle and the battery was discharged to a fair percentage, the alternator input amps would be far too much for the deepcycle and tend to heat it internally and damage it's longevity.

Two lots of heating, Deepcycle deaded plenty quick.

Best to use a marine if in the engine bay or use the deepcycle elsewhere in the truck and a remote DC/DC unit to charge it as others have mentioned.

Ross M

I have investigated them and reccomend the following Russler- its good for both situations and I prefer this type to full deep cycle as it can really deliver the current when needed as well. Overlander is a good dual as well but I prefer the sealed type.


Exide Calcium N70ZZLMMF = 305X172X225H 20.3kG

730CCA RC 160 90AH (20hr)(lighter more CCA than Overlander 10min less RC }

Hi again,

Thanks for your responses. In response to the first question, this is an auxiliary battery replacement. And secondly we live in Melbourne, but we tour up North whenever possible.

Previously (over 12 or so years) I have used a heavy duty starter battery as the auxiliary, the type that claims both circa 650CCA and around 80Ah. These tended to last about 3-4 years. This most recent battery was installed about June 2011 prior to a trip up the CSR, where I felt the additional Ah would be more useful.

I haven't read all the responses in detail, but the battery that Robin quotes sounds similar to my previous batteries. I am tending back in this direction, esp. as heat appears to be a big factor. So will also look at solar panels as an option for those longer stays, or perhaps take the car for a drive for an hour to top up the batteries.

No solar can effectively charge normal car batteries and deep cycle batteries.I have 160w solar charging my standard starting battery and deep cycle battery,my fridge is never turned off.The longest i have left it parked with out running the engine is 3 weeks with the fridge running no problems.