Deep cycle batteries

We recently replaced a Calcium 100AH Deep Cycle wiith a 120AH Flooded Cell, from memory had to change the Sola Controller Setting and the battery cost around $250. We have 3 way frig so 120AH is sufficient.

Good idea to change over from starter/Deep cycle to deep cycle only. Am wary about hi capacity Flooded Cell batteries and do not know about Gel deep cycle

If you have space for 3x 120AH batteries is 3 Flooded Cell ( sealed) batteries a better cost benefits. with sola/low voltage cutout should last for 4 or 5 years depending upon your load/usage/Sola/Storage location

Peter

Just a couple of points...lots of people seem to have a bee in their bonnet over "calcium batteries", the truth is you will be hard pressed to find a battery that does not have some calcium in the plates these days..and realy that is not a bad thing...its the calcium (among other things) that minimises gassing and improves efficiency.

as for the "all rounders", thay aren't a deep cycle battery they are a two bob each way battery....they are more of less a marine style battery that has had some improvement in it deep cycling performance.......but from what I understand they are far from a hard core deep cycle battery.

The single biggest improvement the proposed rig will provide is increased AH capacity..from 360 to 460 AH

And that will be an improvement regardless of battery brand.

as for the battery in question.....no matter what the brand or type you have to look at the spec's, because you can not rely on battery type generalisations any more.

Is there any particular reason you want a gell battery.

there will always be a very heavy cost penalty when you go up market to good quality AGM or GELL.........typicaly you will be talking about twice the price of same size and quality in a wet cell battery.

will you get twice the performance...I doubt it very much..personally the only reason I would be going to AGM or GELL would be if I needed to have a spill proof battery.......remember there is no such thing as a copletely sealed battery.

If you have the space and weight, you will be better served using the extra money to increase battery size.

Have a look at the Trojan, deep cycles, they are very strongly favored, or down market the Amptec, deep cycle......made by the same company that does the all rounders.

cheers

Hello Liza,


when it comes to batteries, the following applies:

No matter what type/brand of battery - it's only as good as the battery charger.

So before you fork out big money for new batteries, did you have someone competent looking at the charging side of things?

How are the batteries going to be charged?

Remember, charging a battery isn't quite as easy as filling up the fuel tank.
There are many pitfalls to be avoided, if you want your new batteries to go the distance.

You're most welcome to get in touch with us directly for qualified advice on the options available, just follow the link to our profile beside the logo below.

regards, Peter