DEEP CYCLE BATTERY

Rob and Donna,
Where do you live?
as batteries are expensive to transport across the country

Maîneÿ . . .

Hello Rob and Donna,

one important thing to watch out for when deciding on a deep cycle battery is its weight. Consider 32.5kg extremely good value - thick plates mean better life expectancy and/or higher battery capacity.

The CCA rating is secondary in a deep cycle battery and is mostly marketing hype.
Just consider that no starter motor in a car or fourbie will ever pull more than 250 amps while cranking, even when mechanically blocked this current will be double that at the most, you can read up about this here.

Even purpose designed starter batteries with a high number of thinner plates (to increase surface area) will struggle to provide 1000CCA (and what's the point if the starter current is only a quarter of that?)
Remember that thinner plates will get eaten away faster by the acid (positive gid corrosion), so you want them thick for longevity.
In a deep cycle battery you want fewer but thicker plates with lots of active material inside them, something a starter battery lacks.

You can use a deep cycle AGM battery for occasional cranking, but you can't have a starter battery perform the magic of deep cycle capabilities plus regular cranking.

Watch out for great offers on ebay or Oztion under "deep cycle battery" and you'll save a bundle, while getting the heaviest deep cycle AGM battery in the 12V100Ah range.
MCA is the brand, sorry can't say more due to advertising rules in this forum.
If you're in the market for the best charger for these batteries, use the notification form inside the linked FAQcpage above.

Best regards, Peter

Rob & Donna, I have just replaced my 5 year old (1,000 cycles plus) HGL120-12 Fullrivers with DC115-12 Fullrivers @ $308 each.
The DCs should do a better job than the HGLs.
I am using one of the old HGLs as a crank battery.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

I understand you have a budget, but I have not enough money to afford to buy cheap so my choice is Lifeline

http://www.solaronline.com.au/125ah-concorde-12v-battery.html

this i just one supplier. haven't researched price much in OZ since I buy mine in the US at a fraction of the cost.

Lifelines come with 5 year warranty. I prefer the 2x6V since you have thicker plates and higher discharge than a single 12V but thats really only relevant above 200Ah.

These batteries charge faster than anything else, but you need a decent charger also to provide the current they can take.

Just something to thing about.

good luck
gmd

About 2 or 3yrs ago I bought a new 100ah FIAMM AGM thru ebay for $150 plus $30 postage (39kg). They had been on ebay daily for about 6 months, all different sizes. Arrived without a hitch and has been excellent (touch wood). Haven't checked lately but didn't notice them on ebay a few months later.
kenD
bris

Fullriver DC Series AGM would be my choice, I have 4 Fullriver 120AH's and they have been brilliant. The DC Series is the heavier duty with thicker plates, I see these lasting a long long time with the correct maintenance.

Hi Guys,

I bought a dual purpose Marine Battery about 6 years ago and it's still hanging in there.

I have just replaced it with N70 size fully sealed Deep Cycle with 760CCA and 105AH so I can run it as a starting battery if I have to.

I bought it locally for $190 with a 12 month replacement warranty. Not sure of the brand, think it was something like Super Power. It's bloody heavy.

Regards

Personally I,d go for the Fullriver as my oldest Fullriver AGM hgl 80amp is now over 8yrs old and still as good as the first day I installed it under the bonnet,, on a slightly different note you do know that the Waeco 80 is a power hungry beast and that a 100 -105ah battery will give you only 24hrs before recharge required ? The Waeco will draw 63 amp hrs on average in 24hrs.

Hi Rob & Donna,
Don't mean to hijack your thread but I too am looking at getting a Fullriver DC105. I'm Melbourne based though... Would you be able to share where you received the quote for 290? I've checked ebay and it'll cost me 300+28 shipping. Can anybody shoot me some reliable and competitively priced retailers in victoria?

By the way, have you thought of a suitable battery box? i've seen a couple on ebay including a nice one from abr sidewinder, but is a tad bit expensive.

Cheers,
Will