Marien Starting Battery =/= Deep cell battery
I was given a Marine Starting battery. I keep killing it. I then learn that is because it is not a deep cell battery. At least I now know.
Forum Discussion
wa8yxm wrote:
True DEEP CYCLE batteries like the GC-2 (six volt) or GC-12 (12 volt) The GC means Golf Car.. are designed to be run down as low as 50 percent (And quickly re-charbed I do not mean fast charge I mean don't let 'em sit discharged for long) over and over and over and over again.
MARINE/deep cycle are basically starting batteries. Like to be above 75-80% state of charge and INSTANTLY recharged when run down.. Not really the best choice for RV use.
Now I've had some folks say "Exact same chemistry so why is that" the answer is they are NOT exactly the same either chemically or physically.. Both the physical construction and the chemistry are a bit different. A few years ago there was a huge discussion thread on the chemical differences. and there have been several about the physical differences.. The plates are not pure lead they are an alloy and the alloy is different. also if I recall correctly fewer THICKER plates on the Deep Cycle.
Picking a couple of nits.
Regularly running "deep cycle" batteries down to 50% SOC or starting/dual purpose batteries down to 70-80% SOC will shorten the life of both. You should be more conservative in your maximum discharge,
The chemistry is (typically) close enough between the two to not quibble (although I know there are differences between various deep cycle batteries). The biggest differences are PHYSICAL. As mentioned, true deep cycle batteries have thicker plates (more lead) and weigh more. They also have more room in the bottom of the case for lead sulfate accumulation (a by product of discharging) that can eventually short out a battery.
