Chins is a relatively small Chinese brand but makes reliable and powerful deep cycle batteries that are safe to use.
With so many Deep Cycle Batteries available in the market, it often becomes overwhelming to make a choice. To help you out, we have provided a detailed analysis of several factors that are essential while considering / analyzing a deep cycle battery. Read the below information thoroughly and make an informed decision.
At the basic level, we can classify the deep-cycle batteries into two types. They are:
Lead Acid Batteries are the dominating entities either in Automotive Starter Batteries or Deep Cycle Batteries. The lead-acid battery technology is proven to be reliable, consistent and cost effective.
The lead-acid batteries can be further divided in to two types:
Further, the Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries are divided into:
For easy understanding, let us divide the Deep Cycle Batteries into four types (three are of Lead-Acid type and one Lithium-Ion type).
Let us get into the construction, performance, durability and other detail of each category.
The flooded lead-acid battery is one of the most popular and dominating battery types, whether in Automotive (as starter batteries) or storage (as deep cycle batteries). The term ‘flooded’ means the lead plate are submerged in electrolyte fluid (usually, Sulfuric Acid).
During charging, some water is decomposed from the electrolyte. Hence, you must perform regular inspection / maintenance for level of electrolyte and if it is below the desired level, you can top-up with distilled water.
The charging of lead-acid batteries usually takes place in stages, and hence it may lead to overcharging or undercharging, sometimes. When it comes to the cost, they are the least expensive.
The other downside to these batteries is that you must place them only in the upright position because there are chances that the battery’s electrolyte may spill. Moreover, it needs proper ventilation as the battery releases explosive gasses when it is getting charged.
Below are the advantages and disadvantages of a Flooded Lead Acid battery:
Flooded Lead Acid Pros:
Flooded Lead Acid Battery Cons:
Considered as Sealed Lead-Acid batteries, an AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery contains a special fiberglass mat that contains the electrolyte solution between the battery plates.
In AGM Batteries, the electrolyte is in a dry state (in contrast to flooded battery, which has wet electrolyte). While the battery works, the electrolyte moves from the glass mat to the battery plates as required. This mat contains sufficient electrolytes that are adequate for the cell to deliver its full capacity.
Unlike flooded lead-acid batteries, you don’t need to add distilled water to it. Hence, it doesn’t require any maintenance. The batteries have better vibration and shock resistance in comparison with wet or gel batteries.
They have a faster recharge rate than a lead-acid battery. However, they are not as fast or efficient as lithium-ion batteries.
Below are the advantages and disadvantages of AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
AGM Battery Pros:
AGM Battery Cons:
A Gel battery is yet another type of valve-regulated lead-acid battery. In this battery, a special type of gel made from Silica is use to hold the electrolyte. As a result, the overall electrolyte becomes a semi-solid gel like quantity, making it spill-proof and maintenance free.
Gel batteries do not emit any gasses like flooded lead-acid does and hence do not require any ventilation.
Below are the advantages and disadvantages of Gel Batteries.
Gel Battery Pros:
Gel Battery Cons:
These are the newest addition in the battery types. While there are several types of Lithium-Ion Batteries for different applications, the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) type are frequently used in deep cycle type lithium-ion batteries.
These batteries have a cathode made up of Lithium Iron Phosphate and anode made up of graphite carbon. A special solution of lithium salts acts as electrolyte.
The upside to these batteries is that you can discharge them completely without doing any damage. Also, you can recharge them quickly as their recharge rate is the fastest than other battery types. Moreover, they have a longer lifespan and can sustain any weather conditions.
Lithium batteries are light in weight, almost half that of a lead-acid battery. And the best part is that you can install them in any position with zero chances of spilling. The only drawback with these batteries is their price. They are expensive than other types of batteries and are available in limited quantities.
Below are the advantages and disadvantages of a Lithium-ion battery:
Lithium-Ion Battery Pros:
Lithium-Ion Battery Cons:
Since you are aware of the different types of batteries, let us now look at some essential factors for choosing the best deep cycle batteries. We will discuss the pre-requisites that you should consider. Make sure you take these into account before making a purchase.
The key parameter that should come first in your checklist is the battery capacity. It is essential to know how long the battery will last before you need to recharge it again. The measure for battery capacity is ampere-hours or Ah.
Theoretically speaking, the Amp Hour of a battery determines how many amps of current a battery can deliver over a duration of 60 minutes. For example, a 10 Ah battery can deliver 10 Amps of continuous current for one hour.
Of course, this is just a theoretical explanation and practically speaking, there are other factors like temperature, hour rate, operating conditions, type of load and end voltage that determine the capacity of the battery.
You can calculate the capacity using this simple formula:
Capacity (Ah) = Device Wattage (W) x Time to Run (Hours) / Battery Voltage (V)
The next prominent factor to consider when choosing a battery is the size and weight. The smaller the size of the battery, the easier it is to carry. Moreover, if they are lightweight, they do not add weight to your vehicle and you can carry them easily.
Volt rating shows the left battery power for use. If you want to use the battery for bigger tasks, we recommend choosing the one with a higher volt rating.
This is the amount of time that the battery will take to recharge after use. If the charge time is lower, it means you can use the battery quickly. Refer to the user manual if you want to know the charging time of your battery.
The depth of discharge (DoD) is another essential factor for consideration. It is basically the total amount of energy discharged from the battery, also expressed as the percentage of the total power capacity of the battery.
The more often you discharge and charge the battery, greater are the chances of reducing its overall service life. It is suggestible not to discharge your battery completely and only use the maximum recommended DOD as specified by the manufacturer.
The discharge cycle determines how many times you can discharge / charge your battery without any reduction in its capacity or performance. Check for these paraments as well before purchasing.
The durability of the product is something that we all pay keen attention to. We all look for devices that long last and that do not need a replacement soon. No matter what type of batter you want to choose, make sure it is highly durable.
Repeated charges and discharges should not affect the life cycle of the battery. Moreover, your battery should be capable of delivering greater performance for high-demand applications like marine, aircraft, and solar energy systems.
Many batteries are susceptible to different factors like temperature, shock, vibrations, etc. Ensure your battery can withstand all the above without compromising its performance and lifespan.
There are batteries with greater and sophisticated functionality called dual-purpose batteries or hybrid batteries. You can use such models as starter batteries (for starting an engine) as well as for deep cycle usage in UPS, Solar, EVs. Make sure to check for the CCA rating that ensures adequate starting power.
The shelf life of the battery is another deciding factor for choosing the right deep cycle battery. Battery shelf life or battery aging is primarily dependent on three influential factors namely, the chemicals in the cell, its idle time, and the storage temperature.
We all know that many batteries come with high self-discharge rates. In other words, if the self-discharge rate of your battery is high, the sooner it loses its power when being idle.
It becomes a significant concern for all deep cycle batteries as they cannot hold a charge between the usage. It is a growing concern, especially in extreme weather conditions, where high temperatures intensify the self-discharge rate, making it inevitable to all batteries.
The ideal shelf life offered by best deep cycle batteries is around ten years before they start losing the maximum capacity. The not-so-famous or worst batteries guarantee a shelf life of about a year or two.
Compatibility is something that you don’t want to compromise with. The battery you choose should be compatible with your vehicle, hence do not forget to check for it.
Also, ensure that the Amp hour of the battery are not too high / low, but suitable for your vehicle. Remember that a battery with high Ah takes more time to charge.
Looking for a brand is always preferable if you want to purchase the right deep cycle battery. Many nameless batteries are available in the market, claiming to offer everything you need. Do not fall prey to these false claims, as they do not hold any quality. Always look for famous brands that earned recognition for the quality, ensuring high performance.
The next parameter in the list to consider is the way you charge the battery. You can either use a generator, solar power, or shore power to charge. You may even use a combination of the three.
If, in case, you do not have any, using a smart charger or charge controller would do the needful. Make sure you are using the correct charging profile suitable for your battery type when using the above method. This will enable an uninterrupted charge supply to your battery.
The controller acts as a guard for your battery by helping you adjust the voltage and current automatically.
The battery you choose should withstand extreme weather conditions. It should be capable of providing power at both low and high temperatures.
Whether you live in cold regions or areas with humidity and high temperature, lookout for a battery that is compatible with use.
If you are living in a hot area, then your battery should sustain a temperature of at least 35 degrees.
The best deep cycle battery should have resistance to vibrations and shocks. A batter with a solid and sturdy construction can easily withstand shocks and vibrations. If in any case, your battery is not shock and vibration-resistant, you will have to spend huge on the expenses incurred for repairs and damages.
The last and also the most crucial parameter to consider when buying a deep cycle battery is the warranty. While standard batteries do not guarantee long life, these cells last a long time and also offer a high discharge cycle.
Always check for the warranty of your deep cycle battery before you decide on buying one. Most batteries come with a warranty of one year. However, some offer a warranty of 10 years or even more, making it the most reliable.
Here are some tips for maintaining your deep cycle batteries. Follow these diligently to keep them running long-term and extend their life:
If you want to achieve optimum performance from your deep cycle batteries, you need to follow proper care and maintenance. Here are some useful tips to maximize the durability of your battery:
Always monitor the charge levels of your deep cycle battery. Start charging them when you see any indication of a 50% charge. But make sure you do not let it go below 20%.
You can use simple tools like digital multimeters to measure battery charge levels.
Prevent the sulfation build-up on the batteries by keeping them charged from time-to-time. Charge your battery even when not in use.
Allow the battery to rest for some time after continuous usage and recharge. Let it cool down before you start using it again. Using the battery immediately after recharging can lead to formation grid corrosion, which may further destroy the battery.
1. What are the most trusted deep cycle battery brands?
Ans: Based on the performance, voltage, current, and capacity, Battle Born Batteries, Universal Power Group, and Optima are the best deep cycle batteries.
2. How long will a 100Ah deep cycle battery last?
Ans: Theoretically, if the load is drawing 10A of current from a 100Ah deep cycle battery, then it can last about 10 hours. But practically, this is not possible due to several factors.
3. How long will Deep Cycle Battery last?
Ans: With proper care and maintenance, most deep cycle batteries will last up to six years. While lithium batteries may last for about 3 to 10 years, Lead-acid batteries and AGM batteries will last six years each. Gel batteries, on the other hand, can last up to 10 years.
4. What is the Charging Time required for Deep Cycle Batteries?
Ans: The charging time required for batteries varies from type to type.
NOTE: These are typical values and the actual timings depends on several factors like capacity of battery, age of battery, type of charger, charging current etc.
5. Can I connect different batteries together?
Ans: No, you should not connect different batteries together. You can only connect batteries that are of the same type, model and have the same capacity and age. Moreover, they should have an identical size wiring connected to the charging source at the same location.
However, you can connect the starter battery of your camper van engine to the house battery bank using a battery combiner or charging relay. This way, you can charge the house bank through the alternator.
6. How many Batteries do I need for my trailer?
Ans: The number of batteries you need for your trailer is entirely dependent on its size and power requirements. If it is a small trailer, it requires two batteries, at least, to power your systems. Whereas, a big trailer might need up to six or seven batteries. You could also daisy chain the required batteries to form a series or a larger battery. This facilitates in delivering more effective and reliable power
7. Is it ok to use a Deep Cycle Battery in my car?
Ans: It is not a good idea to use a deep cycle battery in your car as a starter battery. Deep Cycle Batteries are not designed to deliver the high current required during start-up. You can easily damage the battery and in the worst case, you might damage the car. Hence, it is always advisable to use only use car batteries (which are called Starter Batteries or SLI Batteries) in your car.
8. Lithium Iron Phosphate Vs. Lithium Cobalt Oxide Batteries: Which one is best?
Ans: Lithium batteries undoubtedly have the highest energy density when compared to other batteries. Amongst them, the lithium iron phosphate battery is the safest and the long-lived type. Although it has a comparatively lower energy density than lithium cobalt oxide batteries, it is less prone to thermal runaway. Not only that, but it also has a very flat discharge curve and the longest life than any of the lithium chemistries. However, you should have proper maintenance by following good charging practices and moderate temperature conditions
9. Can You Overcharge a Deep Cycle Battery?
Ans: A. Yes, you can overcharge a deep cycle battery. However, overcharging reduces the lifespan of the battery and also its overall capacity. If you want to prolong the life cycle of the battery, you better avoid doing that.
Get the right charger if you want to avoid overcharging your battery. Usually, you can charge most AGM batteries to a level of 2.4 volts per cell. You can lower it based on the charger you use. If it is a float charger, lower the level to 2.25 volts per cell. In case, if it is hot outside, further lower charging voltage, as high temperature allows fast charging of the batteries.
Unlike the standard batteries used in most vehicles, a deep cycle battery usually offers better performance for storage and sustained power delivery. The deep cycle batteries also last for a longer time with much better discharge / charge cycles. Due to this, the deep cycle batteries are used in boats, RVs, golf carts, Solar Power Systems, Boats, UPS and many more similar applications.
If you are looking for one, then you can pick one from the best deep cycle batteries presented in this article. These batteries have been mentioned with their major features and options. You can also find a detailed buying guide related to deep cycle batteries with all the important factors.
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