Monday, May 09, 2005 at 19:36
Darrell,
I am not suggesting you are incorrect, all I’m doing is posting the relevant
information direct from the manufacturer’s website!
This further
information can also be read there, it is also self explanatory!
Where can I use a deep cycle battery?
Deep cycle batteries can be used wherever the battery is continually discharged for an extended period of time, and then recharged:
1. In boats for powering trolling motors, fish finders, depth finders, lighting and other accessories.
2. In motor homes, travel trailers, and tent campers to run accessories, radios, TVs, fans, REFRIDGERATORS, etc.
3. In outboards and sailboats to power lights and accessories.
What are "Deep Cycle" Batteries?
These batteries are designed to provide "deep cycle" power - making them very different from ordinary car batteries. Starting a car requires a high amount of energy for a short period of time (about 5 seconds). Only a small amount of the battery's capacity is used. Once the engine starts running, the battery is recharged quickly by the alternator, which carries the basic electrical load.
On the other hand, DEEP CYCLE batteries supply a relatively low amount of current for a long period of time. DEEP CYCLE batteries are specially designed to power electric trolling motors and other electrical accessories in boats and RVs. Unlike ordinary car starting batteries, they can be run down and recharged (deep cycled) repeatedly with minimum loss of capacity.
When a car starting battery is deep cycled, it loses capacity very rapidly and in some cases has lost its useful capacity in 50 cycles (discharges and recharges) or less. These limitations make car batteries a poor investment when used for marine and RV deep cycle applications.
A single DEEP CYCLE marine/RV battery will outlast 2-4 car batteries.
Are "Deep Cycle" batteries constructed differently?
Yes!
DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES, are specially designed with denser active material and thicker plates to withstand deep discharge-recharge service. They are also reinforced by envelope and glass mat separators to reduce shedding of the active material and damage from the jolting vibration of a boat on choppy water.
CAR BATTERIES, on the other hand, use porous active material and thin plates so that high-amp energy can be quickly delivered for maximum starting power. Repeated cycling weakens the positive plates and makes the active material shed from the grids. Thus, in repeated deep discharge-recharge applications, the capacity of the car battery drops below desired levels in about 50 cycles.
Car batteries are not built to withstand the heavy buffeting experienced by marine batteries. They are simply designed to do a different job.
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