Deap Cycle Batteries

Sure are,

We get back into the whole basic argument about D/Cycle batteries. My understnding (which I admit, could be wrong), is that these batteries were designed for wheel chairs, golf buggies etc and need to be TRICKLE charged over a lengthy period of time; like 8 to 10 hours or more (overnight).
They don't accept rapid charge well and although this type of charging will work okay in the short term, I believe it will shorten the life of the battery considerably.
Just my opinion....others may differ

Hi Roachie, to help clarify:-
The term "deep cycle" refers to batteries in which the cycle is from full charge to 80% discharge. A cycle for an automotive battery is about 5% - consequently a start battery if used for what it was designed for should never be discharged more then 5% of its total capacity before re-charging. Deep cycle batteries are used as I have mentioned in previous posts to discharge at a constant current over a long period & then be able to be recharged back to full capacity over & over again. The normal automotive battery cannot cycle as much as the 'deep cycle' battery because they are designed to produce a "High Current" discharge over a short period, hense the 5% discharge.
To achieve a long life out of deep cycle batteries it is 'recommended' by the most of the manufactures, that they be recharged at a low charge current rate (usually around 5amps), hense the long recharge period depending on the amount the battery has discharged . As you mentioned commonly known as 'Trickle Charging'. When a high rate of charge is put into a deep cycle battery, the cells can be damaged because of the rapid chemical reaction taking place between the cells & this is what shortens the life of a deep cycle battery. Also to achieve long life it is recommended that they do not be discharged more then 50% which also shortens the re-charge time rate. 75% is ideal if you have a battery(ies) of sufficient capacity for your needs before recharging.
My deep cycle battery capacity is 200amps which I rarely discharge below 75% capacity which gives me a very short recharge time - usually 2 - 3 hours depending on daylight conditions using solar energy and this is why I get long life out of them. It may seem like an overkill as to the high capacity when I usually only use approx. 20 amps/day running my fridge & lights, but it also gives longer period of energy use.
I hope this helps explain the 'basic' difference between a deep cycle & normal start battery with regard to re-charging principles.

From Christies website:

"Note, some wet cell deep cycle batteries will not accept a fast charge & may require trickle charging for a long period of time. For an efficient system with faster recharge times AGM or cranking batteries can be used."

Stephen.

The Christie Generator is a generator, which provides constant voltage output - it is not a battery charger. The 55 amps will never over-charge a 200amphour battery - for a smaller battery it can exceed the Stage 1 limit (less than 25% of C)

This works in many cases, after all an Alternator is also just a constant voltage output and car batteries usually last for 3 or 4 years - but they are only discharged to 5% normally.

But for maximum battery life for a battery that will be discharged more than 5%, you need to control charging current. That's why Three Stage Chargers are made.

You MAY be better off with a 240volt Generator and a Three Stage Charger - the Jaycar 12 amp Three Stage charger is only $99 (when they fix the current leakage problem in exsting units !)

Mike

If I can just put a little spanner in the works......

Wet cell deepcycles vary a lot, and the majority for automotive and marine use are not true deep cycle. The battery manufacturers are not dumb. They figure that a true deep cycle is not worth squat under the bonnet of a 4wd. So most of these deep cycles are a hybrid.

I tested some N70 batteries at home:
A Yuasa Overlander 700cca starting battery,
A 3 year old Exide Endurance wet cell deep cycle 75Ah and
A normal factory LandCruiser starting battery.

All three started the 6 cylinder turbodiesel in my LandCruiser very well.
All three would easily accept 20+amps from my big mother of apower supply when half discharged.

If I was blinded, I'd swear they were all the same.

I know all the battery theory, but my point is that the battery manufacturers often produce a product that we "need" rather than one that is by the book.

My personal preference is to simply buy a decent wet cell cranking battery - I don't mind deep cycling them on the few occasions I stay put for more than one night.

Cheers
Phil

mate ive had a honda battery charger for 4 years now i carry 280 amp hours of batteries in the camper and campsite to power various fridges lights ect when we go camping for weeks at a time. charge the batteries in the morning after putting a multimetre on them and also just before dark ,working up to solar next but an absolute ball biter. never had an ounce of trouble with it mind you the digital displays dont last long but still works like a charm good camping. dags

Just a thought the Honda battery charger has a low and a high input rate if the batteries are low on charge and you try to charge on high input the motor will stall .so at first you may have to charge on slow until batteries build up then you charge at a faster rate. As the batteries become fully charged the alternator slows the charge down the same as a car so you can not over charge them. all I know I have a bank of batteries and it works, and the batteries are 8 years old when I finish camping I charge them back up on a car charger and then leave them till I go camping again sometimes 4 months sometime 6 months touch them up again and away we go. I must just be lucky dags