2nd battery

hi derek
just wondering what your thoughts are on a truck cranking battery compared to a deep cycle for the caravan
thanks

Hi Sayo

Are you going to replace both with truck batteries ?

I would not mix your current battery if it is deep cycle with a cranking battery.

Cranking batteries and the newer hybrid batteries charge faster than deep cycle - Unless it is a AGM.

Regards

Derek.

hi derek
we were given a truck cranking battery instead of what we ordered a deep cycle ,just wondering what your thoughts are on which is the best way to go

Have you got the model number of the battery in question.

Have you got the model number of the battery in question.

N100 fushida 105amp

Good battery, get another one the same. They are larger than others of the same rating and have good electrolyte volume. 2 of these would be almost as good as AGMs.

great thanks derek

sayo,
You posted """we were given a truck CRANKING battery instead of what we ordered a DEEP CYCLE"""

Why would you accept any Cranking battery, when you need a Storage (deep cycle) battery and you (or the salesman) obviously knew that when you ordered the Deep Cycle battery.

Just because it starts a truck does not mean it will run a fridge for long periods of time and then recharge fast, that's the sole realm of AGM batteries, nothing else comes close.

If you do some reading you will see there are major differences between Cranking batteries and Storage batteries, so I will not go into various reasons here.
Google the truck battery for relevant technical information
Mainey...

when we ordered our van we asked for a marine deep cycle battery and our friends who bought the same van two weeks after us asked for a agm battery and the cranking battery was what we both got ,it was only when we went to buy a second battery to marry up against it did we find out what type of battery we had .after numerous questions to the van company did we find out that they didnt even know what type of battery it
was either as they said it was a deep cycle hence the confusion

thanks kay

Kay,
obviously the "van supplier" wants to put the least expensive battery in the van... yes, bigger 'sized' truck batteries look more impressive than normal car batteries to the new van buyer.

As Derick has said "2 of these would be almost as good as AGM's"

2 would be ALMOST as good... lol

NO battery is as good as a quality AGM battery !!!

there's no comparison at all, is like comparing a 'race horse' and a 'draught horse' they are built for totally different purposes, they look the same on the outside, but that is where any comparison stops.
I'm positive Derick would not 'recommend' a truck (or any other) cranking battery over an AGM "Deep Cycle" battery ($$$ aside) to run a fridge and other accessories.

There is no battery or 12 volt website I know of that makes the claim a Cranking battery is any where near the equivelent to an AGM Deep Cycle battery for use as a "storage battery" which is what a fridge battery really is, they all say the AGM battery is the recomended battery of choice for running accessories and they give reasons too.

Remember there are AGM Cranking batteries too, what you require to run accessories is a "DEEP CYCLE" AGM battery.

It's only when you have used a "quality" AGM battery will you appreciate the rapid recharge speed and available depth of discharge capabilities available with AGM DC's, yes they do cost a few $$ more, but so does everything else, when you buy a quality product it lasts longer and it's not a toy, it gives better performance and will pay for itself in the long run.

Note: If your continiously driving long distances daily and only stopping overnight, ANY elcrappo battery will work because it's being recharged daily.
Mainey...

sayo,

My advice is to ensure you use a smart dual battery controller rather than a simple solenoid.

A smart Isolator will keep the two batteries electrically isolated from each other. Anything else is inviting trouble down the track.

Also, having the job done commercially will ensure a proper job.

ARB, TJM, etc., are familiar with the cradle size and how to fit it for various vehicle models and whether other engine bay equipment may need relocated.

A good system will cost in the order of $800 installed.
$400 sounds like an "el cheapo" job to me.

Hi Sand Man

It is a caravan. I also initially thought sayo was asking about a under bonnet dual battery system.

ARB and Tee-j-em don't work on vans.

Regards

Derek.

Thanks Derek,

I didn't read the post properly before I contributed.
Silly me. Must've been a Seniors Moment.