Do you know the difference between a deep cycle and a marine battery? Or an automotive use battery? Do you know they require different use/charging characteristics? If not, you may not get optimum use from any battery. And, just because the label says "marine" doesn't mean it's a real marine duty battery.......


Marine vs deep cycle - very little difference. These vs automotive - marine and deep cycle are built heavier - thicker plates, heavier case, barriers, terminal connections, larger electrolyte reservoir, etc.
Automotive batteries in normal use are required to provide a short burst of high current, followed by immediate recharge, and otherwise light loads. The construction is lighter, thinner plates, etc, to keep the weight down and still provide that short burst of high current. Deep cycle batteries are normally not subjected to 300-400-500 amp surges, but the average load is much higher over time than the automotive battery. Thus the heavier plates, and larger electrolyte capacity, to keep the plates from warping (the prime failure rate in automotive batteries used in deep cycle applications) due to heat generated internally. Marine batteries are in between - usually required to provide some high current bursts and higher continuous loads. Deep cycle batteries can be discharged to a lower voltage without damage than the automotive, so it gives a "longer" output. Deep cycle and marine batteries are pretty much the same, with a little more emphasis on construction materials used for the marine due to "marine" conditions it is used in. Both marine and deep cycle batteries can be recharged at a somewhat higher rate than automotive, making for quicker recovery. Note that people who equip their vehicles with 1000 watt audio systems drawing 100's of amps continuously usually run run into battery troubles right off the bat.


With all that said, automotive batteries, especially when used in pairs,will give reasonable service in RV applications, you just can't let them go "dead", and the recharge cycle is perhaps a little more frequent, but for shorter periods. They are lighter in construction, (and weight) and perhaps not quite as well suited for rough applications, but how often do you bounce your RV around harder than the tow vehicle? Since they are cheaper to begin with, they are still cost effective- pay more for the deep cycle & it lasts longer, pay less for the automotive, and replace a little sooner. You get what you pay for, especially in batteries.

And don't forget, the automotive battery you cussed at could have been built by the same company that built the deep cycle battery you swear by.



Old wives tale. What does happen is that the battery self discharges over time, and once discharged, the battery will freeze, thus ruining it. Obviously one sitting on a concrete floor will be more apt to freeze than one sitting on a wooden shelf. Which brings to mind another point - stored batteries should be charged once every month or two to keep them from self-discharging.


Wally world - $59.95 - good deep cycle- $109.95 - you get what you pay for. As to hard on batteries - recharge cycle is important.

Note that all the above pertains to lead-acid batteries. You want performance, equip your vehicle or rv with the equivelent WEIGHT in lithium-ion batteries, and see a 3 fold improvment - at about 9 times the cost!

 

Fully aware of all that. The way they are built determines the life and use. Deep cylce are used for light and powering items with a low initial start up draw. Automotive batteries need an initial surge of amps to start a motor then the vehicle will run without the battery in it (most will). This may not be good for the alternator/generator but they will run.


My opinion is buy the right tool for the job and "you get what you pay for".


I agree with all of you post.

 

Quote="Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names. Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models. Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts."

Johnson Controls now owns Delphi. So, The "ford" batteries are made in the same plant as the Wallyworld batteries. When was the last time you went to a ford dealer at 7 pm on sunday because your batteries died and need new ones to get back on the road? That has happened to me and wallyworld saved the day.
Wallyworld is able to offer batteries cheaper because of quantity buying, as where Ford Stealerships are, UHm, Stealing for the same battery.

The first most common cause of premature failure...

Is due to a build-up of sulfate on the plates, which interferes with the charging and discharging of the battery.

This build-up is accelerated by the following:

• high temperature -- over 70 degrees;
• discharging the battery below 10.5 volts;
• storage without charging

The second most common cause of premature failure...

Is loss of electrolyte --(the liquid chemical that causes electricity to flow) --due to overcharging or heat.

The third most common cause of premature failure...

Is undercharging because undercharging accelerates the build-up on the plates.

The fourth most common cause of premature failure...

Is called "old age." This is a result of the plates shedding material which falls to the bottom of the battery cell and eventually shorts the plates. This shedding of material is accelerated by the build up mentioned above.

The fifth most common cause of premature failure...

Is excessive vibration. This causes the shedding to occur faster.

 

ah, yes same thing applies to most motor oils as well, but we all still have our preferences on which brand to buy correct? but there is a difference in quality manufacturing. no doubt walmart would be the way to go 1230 am on sunday morning but i have had several of the yellow walmart 1000ca batts and they just dont last. i am not saying they are junk but my interstate in my charger is quite old and sits all the time and never gets charged. it sat most of the summer and into the winter untouched in the car and i fired it up last week with no problem. i have only one walmart battery left and its no longer in my truck because its too weak, now it jump starts my lawnmower because the 3rd walmart garden tractor battery is trashed in under 2 seasons. and my lawnmower gets year round use so it cant be blamed on sitting and freezing in the winter.
my choice in battereies will stay motorcraft and interstate with walmarts as a back up,

and to get one more thing clear, and i never stand behind the dealer for anything but in this case i must. the dealers have 0 mark-up on batteries. the dealer cost vs customer cost is literaly a 5 dollar difference or less. they cant mark it up and still be relativly competative. ford is pushing brakes and batteries to try to get back into the market for general repairs not "ford specialist" repairs. while brake rotors are still pricy, the pads are generally 55 bucks or less for cars and most superduty pads are 55 for oem and 65 for the nice coated ones.

 

Ok,

Here is the Scoop IMHO THEY SUCK... <O</O

<O</O
Had them in my 87 6.9 F250, lasted 1.5 years and Died, However WalMArt did take care of them without any hassle... And they were the best battery they sold... Dunno what happened after the next year cause I sold the 6.9 and bought my the 97...<O</O

1957 </O

<O</O
My boat... Won't hold a charge<O</O

Lawnmower - Dying<O</O

<O</O
All about the same age within a year or two, Price was right (I thought) but then they start to die in droves, won't touch them again and that's a fact Jack!

Yes, most all batteries are made by the same few manufacturers, just like many, many other products, but as with most anythng else the "rejects" get sent to the lower end retailers, or as in other goods, they have a lower tier of manufacturing. Common sense says, if the majority says they bite, there is prolly a bit of truth...

Don't hate me!

 

we dont hate

 

I bought two Kirkland's a year ago. They're still going strong and at $55 each, I plan on buying them again, when needed.

 

ONLY if you are well aware of the hazards of Li-ion...Li-ion batteries require special care and handling(I am specifically talking about rechargeable Li-ions).

 

kaboom?

 

Costco sure ain't the WalMart!

 

I put die hard golds in my truck 4 years ago and they are still strong! I think I paid like $180 A little more but they last. Or factory batts they lasted 7 years