Batteries

Jimbo ,unless you use an optima you will kill the battery in less than 2 months,becomes an expensive proposition,,read www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq.htm

If you use something like a Century Overlander which can cop a bit of deep cycling you will be ok. You can buy a low voltage cut-off from BigW for about $20

There are a number of batteries made which are a compromise, ie: a bit of both. If you went for a very large one of these you would probably be fine.

Jimbo,

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It won't work!

Deep Cycle batteries are not designed for quick discharge as is a cranking battery.

If it was possible don't you think everyone else would buy only one battery instead of two or three and an Isolator and all the wireing etc....

Jimbo, I'm currently trialing a system similar to what you speak of.
I've fitted two 115 amp hour Trojan deep cycle batteries together in parralel with no isolating system. Sorry to say Ozguy & TheUndertaker but its lasted over a year so far with no hint of failure & I've never had any battery spin the 1HZ diesel over quicker.
With 230 Amp hour on tap it has run the fridge & lights up on the cape in 34 degree heat for 4 days & still started.
My theory why it works is that the 2 batteries share the high starting load. Fitting one standard 80 Amp hour Deep cycle as a starting battery probably wouldn't work as it could have trouble delivering the starting current & may cause damage trying.
As I said earlier the system is on trial & I'm currently doing tests to see whether the car is actually fully charging the batts. I suspect not but even if it only puts in 80 % that's still over 180 Amp hour to play with.

If you only want to use one battery I'd go with some of the other advice and get a big cranking compromise type & fit the Low voltage disconnect then use the genny as back up . Cheers Craig................................

jimbo i have a delcor m27 80amp marine deep cycle(sorta)had it over 2 yrs spent over a year as a starting battery and still going as strong as the day i bought it just spent 10 days using it for our weaco still good now in our ather car as a starter.