deep cycle or not deep cycle

IMHO the deep cycle is the way to go. I have been using them for a no of years and they have always been better than an ord cranky battery.
Mainly because you can deeply discharge a deep cycle batt more times than a cranky battery and get away with it.
Try and get everything you want , lights etc and tele in 12v as these will then use less juice than something that runs through an inverter. My inverter uses power in it,s own right as does any inverter then you add the watts up from what you are using on 240 divide by 12 and you can then see what amps you are drawing from the battery, it's usually a lot more than you think.
Most tele's draw about 90 wats or so , one bulb incadesent 100 wats.
So far = 190 wats = 15 amps when on 240v plus the inverter draw.
12v tele draws about 5 amps and one 12 flouro (versa lite) 1amp total amps = 6 amp much less as you can see.
Lastly $210 for a d/cycle is somewhere in the ball park. mine was $150 three yrs ago.

Not sure if this helps or just adds to the confusion:
I've just installed a dual battery system and have used a cranking battery, $100 on sale for a 700CCA from super cheap, its a bosch and comes with a 2 year warranty. The cranking battery charges up real quick and if I stuff it up by discharging too much and too often I can replace it under warranty or in two years time buy another one (cheapy) and I'm hoping that this arrangement wil last me longer than one deep cycle....

I know that Agparts around the corner from work in MidvaleWA (a farm supplies shop) sells calicium to calcium 105amp/hr deep cycles for not much more than $120. Worth looking around at some alternative suppliers to the 4wd/camping battery world style chains I reckon.

Greg,

Is your figure of 80Ah for the cranker at the C20 discharge rate? I haven't come across N70 size with that sort of performance [mostly around 55Ah]....especially at $79!!!!!! Details of this cheapy?

If your figures are correct, then you have gained because your current drain is lighter for the 2X80s and you get more effective Ah then 160. If space & weight isn't an issue its the way to go..........just double check those specs again!

cheers

When we fitted the dual battery system at ARB they recommended and fitted a Hybrid (700 CCA and 80 AmpHr). I've had it in now for 2 years without a single problem.

It powers the caravan, the CB and fridge in the car. Having lived in Darwin for 2 years we heard stories of shortened battery life due to the heat and humidity. Haven't seen any evidence yet.

Deep cycles are designed to be completely drained flat and recharged a number of times.

Most 12 volt electrical devices (inverters, fridges, etc) have safety cut offs that stop the them running when the voltage drops below, say 10 volts as an example, as a protective measure. My inverter starts beeping at 10.5 volts, then will shut off. My Waeco will shut off if the voltage drops too far.

IMHO unless you can be sure the battery is to be completely drained flat and recharged then why pay for it. I would opt for a heavy duty truck battery as described in previous replies.

Wizard
Prado TD
Jayco Freedom
Gold Coast

Greg,
Definitely get the two 80a/h Cheepie’s, their specs are as you have stated 80 Amp Hours each, so their cost is not relevant other than to say they are inexpensive...
I have been using the same two 80a/h Deep Cycle batteries wired in parallel for 4 1/2 years now and without any hassles.

How are you planning to recharge the batteries in the bush ??

Searching the web for actual battery manufacturer’s recommendations on using Cranking v Deep Cycle batteries to power auxiliary items will confirm the above.

the link below may also be of some interest->
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/

i have run from the main batt to the back of the car with 100amp cable then anderson plug to the van batterys are to be in the front of the van so all up bout 6 mtrs with 1 plug at camp pull the anderson and i wont flatten the car but during the day driving it will charge and at powered sites i can run the charger to bring it right back up dont expect to go longer than 2 or 3 days at the most between access to 240v and i am getting 13.5v at the test battery in the van now off the car altenator. i am heading off for 9 weeks so it will be a good test.
the specs about the battery are not confermed becouse i havent been back there yet. but i think it was about the size of a n70z maby a bit bigger? not realy a prob coz the space is there for it.