Trojan T-105 batteries rock

monkey44 wrote:
Can anyone tell me the difference between the Deep Cycle and the Gel battery?

Which is best for boon-docking?

Deep cycle and gel are two independent terms. Most gel batteries are deep cycle, but there are many other types of deep cycle batteries.

Gel batteries have a gelled electrolyte so they are non-spillable. They require a lower charge voltage than other deep cycle types because they can not be charged or discharged at a high rate or they will be destroyed. They used to be used in power wheelchairs and other portable power devices but they have mostly been replaced by AGM types. I don't think there are many true gel batteries available anymore. Some people mistakenly refer to AGM batteries as gel, even battery dealers do it.

For deep cycle batteries now the 2 most common types are flooded and AGM. Flooded batteries have to be placed upright and need to have water added periodically. AGM (absorbed glas mat) batteries can be placed at any angle and need no maintenance. They also cost more than flooded types. If a battery lists its capacity in CCA (cold cranking amps) or reserve minutes, it is not a true deep cycle battery. A true deep cycle battery will have its capacity listed in AHr (amp-hours).

I always reccomend AGM or sealed maintenance-free batteries in RVs because they are almost always hard to access to add water to a flooded battery. My 845 carries its battery high and all the way to the rear, that will make it bounce around on rough roads. If yours is like that then a flooded battery could spill some electrolyte (acid) on rough roads. That is another reason to go with sealed or AGM.

I boondock a lot, so I have 2 6V AGM batteries in the cabinet under the front dinette seat. I use thae battery compartment for other storage.

The brands mentioned above (Deka, Lifeline, etc.) are all good ones.