

- #12 volt deep cycle battery charge chart how to#
- #12 volt deep cycle battery charge chart full#
- #12 volt deep cycle battery charge chart plus#
While technically, it is possible to cycle the battery down to 20% without “killing” the battery right away, it is recommended by professionals and full-time campers to keep the average maximum discharge at around 45% to 50% to maximize the lifespan of the battery.
#12 volt deep cycle battery charge chart full#
This feature makes deep cycle batteries ideal for camping applications.Ī typical cycle for a deep cycle battery would start at 100% capacity, followed by a deep discharge of between 20% and 50% of its capacity, and then recharge back to full capacity. Deep cycle batteries are also designed to discharge slowly, thereby providing steady power for several hours at a time instead of delivering an instant surge of high voltage for a very short time. In addition to the depth of discharge, another key difference in comparison with starting batteries is the speed of discharge. The capacity of the battery can be almost used up each time, without permanent damage to the battery, to a certain extent. In contrast, a deep cycle battery is a battery designed to handle many thousands of cycles of deep discharge and recharge over its lifetime. They are not designed for deep discharging and recharging, thus they will only last between 30 to 150 deep-discharge cycles. In normal starting use, starting batteries are designed to last for thousands of such shallow-discharge cycles. Their purpose is to start and run a vehicle’s engines and to do this job, they typically deliver a very large starting current for a very short time in order to crank the engine.Īs a result, only a small part of the starting battery is discharged, typically a shallow depth of discharge of only about 2% to 5% of the battery’s capacity. The most common type of batteries most vehicles are equipped with are starting batteries or cranking batteries, also sometimes called “SLI” batteries, which stands for starting, lighting, ignition. Photo Credit: Family RVing Magazineīefore we explain why you absolutely must get a deep cycle battery charger to efficiently charge your deep cycle batteries, not any regular charger, it will be easier to understand going forward if you grasp the basic differences between regular automotive starting batteries and deep cycle batteries. Deep cycle batteries are used for camping and boating applications. Deep cycle batteries offer unique benefits, which directly relate to how they discharge and recharge, and thus they require special chargers to deliver the optimal charging, as well as maximizing the battery’s life. Many recreational vehicle and boat owners specifically choose deep cycle batteries for their intended applications for a number of reasons. How Deep Cycle Battery Differ From Regular Battery More: Types Of Deep Cycle Battery Chargers.

#12 volt deep cycle battery charge chart how to#
#12 volt deep cycle battery charge chart plus#
This article will provide you with all the essential information so that you can get the most out of your deep cycle battery for many years to come, including how a deep cycle battery works differently from starting batteries, the safe charging mechanism and the different types of charger for this type of battery, the step by step guide on how to program and charge your battery, plus useful usage, safety and maintenance tips. While you might already know that you must not charge a deep cycle battery using a regular charger meant for your cranking battery, there are many nuances that you must understand fully to truly know how to charge a deep cycle battery properly. Knowing how to charge a deep cycle battery properly with the appropriate charger is critical in ensuring optimal battery performance and lifespan, as well as making sure you can power your electrical appliances and enjoy your trip to the fullest. Naturally they require a different charging mechanism for optimal charging as well as lifespan. Deep cycle batteries, which are well suited for camping applications, are very different from regular starter batteries or cranking batteries used in most vehicles you see on the street.
