Deep Cycle batteries

red31 wrote:


I select a battery that does not have a weight printed on it, my thinking is if there is no weight, its weightless lol

I like that logic.

I always thought Marine meant threaded connector ( Molded-in offset SAE post and vertical 5/16" NEG., 5/16" POS. stainless steel studs & hex nuts), I like wing nuts ;)

3 different 'marine / rv' names from one maker.
12-VOLT MARINE / RV STARTING CALCIUM MAINTENANCE-FREE
12-VOLT MARINE / RV DUAL PURPOSE STARTING / CYCLE SERVICE
12-VOLT MARINE / RV DEEP CYCLE SERVICE

I select a battery that does not have a weight printed on it, my thinking is if there is no weight, its weightless lol

Hi,

The way to get marine rv/deep cycle is to look for trolling batteries.

if it says Deep Cycle, then it's a Deep Cycle, period. If it shows CCA on the case it is either a starting battery, or a "dual purpose" battery, If it does not or if it shows a Reserve Amp rating then it's deep cycle. The name "Marine" on the case may or may not mean anything.
I'm not going to argue with you about it. I've been in the marine business for 15 years and along the way have had access to a lot of information by some pretty knowledgeable people including surveyors and guys who did their Navy service on subs, so think what you like.

Bob Landry wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:



NOTE that Marine/Deep cycle, are far closer to starting batteries.

Not true at all. Deep Cycle is deep cycle. it doesn't matter if it has marine, RV, or both stamped on the case.
Dual purpose batteries are closer to starting batteries but with heavier plates and will be OK for intermittent light loads like cabin lights or stereos. They are not suitable for repeated deep discharges.

Having done the tests and having owned the batteries.

I agree that Deep Cycle are Deep Cycle

But MARINE/DEEP CYCLE is not Deep cycle. It is a starting battery, designed to start a marine engine which does not re-charge the battery.

I actually researched this stuff a few years back when I got my Class A. I spent quite a few hours on battery manufacturer's web pages looking at battery specification sheets, And on independent lab report pages.. GOOGLE is your friend if you wish to follow up on it.

But basically they are dual purpose batteries

now there is such a thing as a Marine/RV Deep cycle. Note the different placment of the slash.. These may be true deep cycle, Since they were not all that common when I last researched I am not sure.

But Marine/Deep cycle is a starting battery.

A MARINE (without deep cycle) is a starting battery not rated for below zero service,

But the placement of the slash is important.

BFL13 wrote:
I think there is something to the idea you should deep cycle them once in a while. No measurements, but I find the first days when camping after they have been on a Float they seem to get down to 50% earlier than I expect and the second one, now they have been woken up or whatever goes on inside them, is "more like it."

I think I have experienced that myself (not sure). I typically do a top charge a week before I go camping. It seems they need some agitation before use (after sitting on float for a while).

Great info so far. Thanks everyone.

I think there is something to the idea you should deep cycle them once in a while. No measurements, but I find the first days when camping after they have been on a Float they seem to get down to 50% earlier than I expect and the second one, now they have been woken up or whatever goes on inside them, is "more like it."

Based on that, IMO it would be better to do a deep cycle at home just before leaving, bring them back to 100%, and then go camping I don't bother--too busy getting ready)

My used and then neglected T-1275s (12v true deep cycle) responded to an Equalize charge when I first got them, but what seemed to really bring them back to life was a deep cycle while camping. They perked right up from that.

It is not a use them or lose them deal, but they do seem to like a work out now and then.

But for the OP question, I have no idea what any of that means wrt battery life--how many deep cycles you can get out of them over the years.

mena661 wrote:
You can indeed cycle 6V's (and deep cycle 12V's NOT the marine hydrids!!!!) down to 80% on a regular basis. There are quite a few members here that do this. Yes, you'll get reduced overall life but the average RVer won't see much difference IMO (maybe a few months off the end).

That's good to know. My 6 new 80ah 12v AGMs are seeing 24v (24v system) overnight on a regular basis.

I've been running 6 hours of TV/amplifier followed by a mattress heater and a cycling furnace (set at 55) overnight, and by dawn they've done a good night's work.

You can indeed cycle 6V's (and deep cycle 12V's NOT the marine hydrids!!!!) down to 80% on a regular basis. There are quite a few members here that do this. Yes, you'll get reduced overall life but the average RVer won't see much difference IMO (maybe a few months off the end).