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[()__1337_CRAYOLA__()>]

i recently got a marine deepcycle batter for really cheap is it ok to run that in my brat? and what does deep cycle mean ive herd deep cycles are good to use with multiple lights / sterio's / winches is this true?

[edrach]

Google found this reply in wikipedia. Not particularly helpful IMHO but adequate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_cycle_battery

[TeamCF]

The Wiki pretty much has it. But like edrach said not a whole lot of info there.

 

Things like boats have deep cycles for things like when you go out on the lake. "park" the boat out in the middle partyin' with the stereo going for hours on end. The deep cycle will still start it and you wil not have done too much harm to the battery charging it back up.

 

One thing car batteries (lead acid) do not like is "deep cycling". Which is when you drain it down a bunch and charge it up, repeat, repeat, repeat....... ect.

(The Li-Ion batteries in you cell phone don't like that either. They prefer a half drain then charge, with about once every 30 cycles going all the way down to re-sync up the phone's battery meter, but thats a different thread/forum altogether)

 

It ruins them. (the plates get all crudded up and they don't work right)

Thats why a new battery that has sat dead for awhile, turns to junk.

 

Deep cycles resist being killed by multiple deep discharges.

 

So.

A deep cycle is good for when you run stuff with the engine off for long periods of time. But like the Wiki said it can lack a little punch for cold starts and such. But in our little 4 bangers that may not be as big of a deal. (depending on where you live, and how the winters are)

 

For more battery info (on almost all types): http://www.batteryuniversity.com/index.htm

[edrach]

Just one thing that I've learned about lead acid batteries, they don't like being discharged. Think about lead acid batteries as being a chemical reaction. There is lead and sulfuric acid inside. When the battery is partially or fully discharged, the sulphur in the acid deposits on the lead and forms lead sulphate. Lead sulfate is pretty innert and does not dissolve easily (if ever). For the battery to charge fully and hold a charge the lead plates need to be clear to react with the acid. As the lead plates become covered in lead sulfate, that area can no longer be used to hold a charge.

 

Bottem line is, do not allow a battery to remain partially or fully discharged if you want it to last. Having a good alternator in the car returns the battery to full charge after the loss of charge when starting the car. I have spare batteries from PAP that I keep on the shelf in a fully charged condition and every few months I run the charger on them to "top up" the charge to prevent sulphation. That way the batteries last a long time and are ready for use when I need them to replace a worn out (i.e. sulphated) battery.

 

Leaving a battery fully discharged for any length of time causes the plates to become covered in lead sulphate and will cause ir-reversible damage. If you have a car undergoing long term repair, get a "trickle" charger for the battery and leave it on while the car is not being run. This will keep the battery fully charged and prevent sulphation while it is not being used.

Edited December 14, 2008 by edrach

[Quidam]

"(The Li-Ion batteries in you cell phone don't like that either. They prefer a half drain then charge, with about once every 30 cycles going all the way down to re-sync up the phone's battery meter, but thats a different thread/forum altogether)"

 

I didn't know that. /me staring at my expensive Lumix Panasonic Battery Pack/Bloc-Batterie 3.7V 1000mAh Li-ion that I take Subaru pictures with. On topic:)

 

Ty,

 

Doug

Edited December 14, 2008 by Quidam
Add quote marks.

[TeamCF]

"(The Li-Ion batteries in you cell phone don't like that either. They prefer a half drain then charge, with about once every 30 cycles going all the way down to re-sync up the phone's battery meter, but thats a different thread/forum altogether)"

 

I didn't know that. /me staring at my expensive Lumix Panasonic Battery Pack/Bloc-Batterie 3.7V 1000mAh Li-ion that I take Subaru pictures with. On topic:)

 

Ty,

 

Doug

 

I didn't either. Other than Lead Acid I thought most batteries would suffer from memeoy effect if not fully discharged before charging. (we'll not fully, down to about 1.1v per cell)

But it is really only the old Ni-Cads that have that problem.

Most of the newer types don't realy like full cycling on a regular basis.

 

I used to race R/C's competativly and had lots of $$$$$$$$ batteries. Was very interested in keeping them top notch. Now I still am with my planes and R/C crawler but the new stuff is not as finicky.

 

Check out that site I linked to. Lots of info. Can get into the charts and graphs. But that's ok.

I get all geeked out on this stuff.

[Quidam]

/me going to batteryuniversity. /me thinks ed may be a teacher there.