Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

[bertherr]

Do deep cycle batteries require a special type battery charger? I am referring to a land based charger, not a boat engine charger. Thanks, Bert

 

[roscoe]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

No. <br />But you don't want to use a 50 amp charger.<br /><br />You want to use a 10 amp or less charger, and let it charge slowly.<br /><br />If you are buying a charger, get an automatic one with multiple amp settings.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

Agreed.<br /><br />Some chargers are designed to cut down the charge as the battery gets 'full' (based on voltage- not amps - like a car's charging system and will not be able to get it up yo 100% capacity), others just keep on charging (will force the battery capacity to 100%+) but will harm (heat) your battery if left on for extended time.<br /><br />A third kind is designed to charge the battery at a fair rate (5-6 amp) and when full it swithes to a 'maintenance cycle' state. Can be connected as long as you like and will keep the battery fully charged.

 

[bertherr]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

Thanks for the responses. I had an old charger without any automatic features. I ended up buying a new charger with the multiple amp settings, the maintenance feature, and it even has a "regular & deep cycle" switch. I am not really sure what difference this switch makes. The instructions say that some deep cycle batteries are designed to charge better on the "regular" setting. You will know this if the unit never indicates full charge. They then say to move the switch to that setting. Thanks, Bert

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

Also follow the directions for charging deep cycles. Have had good luck drawing down to nothing (if still have a charge I use a 12 volt automotive trouble light) to bring down to nothing and then recharge. We do this during the summer fishing season and also on batteries we use for the winter( In our fish house to run the T.V., dish, lights, underwater camera etc) and put on the charger till fully charged. <br /> Good fishing.

 

[wa5ngp]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

Capt Telnman, I think you are trolling, but I am going to take the bait. Reminds of the article written in Texas parks and Wildlife about boat trailer launching etiquette that recommended starting the motor before putting the boat in the water. Lots of letters to the editor on that one.<br /><br />Anyway, one of the surest ways to destroy lead acid batteries is totally discharge them. The only thing worse is way overcharging and cooking out the water. All lead acid batteries deeply dislike being discharged. Anything that you can do to keep them fully charged will extend their life. Capt. Tenaman may be thinking about Nicad batteries that seem to have a memory so periodicly you need to run them all the way down to remind them that they are supposed to hold a charge for a while. but never, Never, purposely discharge a lead acid battery unless you want to ruin it.<br /><br />Good luck<br /><br />Don

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

I disagree Don. I use regular batteries on my boat. I don't turn in a core whenever the car or truck needs a new one, I just look at it as a $5.00 troll battery. I have had them develop a memory. If I use a trouble light till it doesn't glow any more the memory disappears for about 5 cycles.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

I agree with Don. Any LEAD-ACID battery will be damaged if fully discharged. I starting battery discharge 50% or more will suffer damage and a deep cycle also at 70% discharge.<br /><br />Your batteries will last longer if you recharge as soon as you can just like your car does.<br /><br />If you are talking NiCAD batteries then you should discharge but do not let any cell go neg durning the discharge.<br /><br />Check out the link below and read at least 7 and 10.<br /><br /> http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/dcfaq.htm

 

[duck-n-pond]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

I also agree with wa5ngp Don. NiCads have the 'memory'. I work in the telecommunications industry where our many lead-acids have clear sides, and you can see the plates deteriorated on the abused ones. We spend millions on battery plants, and I have yet to see a technical bulletin indicating "kill 'em before you charge 'em". Lots of technical writing/white papers on the web on this for sure.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

Yes, there is nothing to disagree about here. All lead acids can survive a few complete discharges, maybe even dozens. Every time you do, however, you are taking some of the batteries capacity and throwing it in the lake. If you disagree about that you do not know what you are talking about.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

I guess the only thing to do at this point is to back down and say ya'll are right. Your study shows it. I do know that it happens to me though and I still believe that a battery will discharge faster on concrete. Show me one store that doesn't have them on a wooden or plastic crate.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

Kenneth Brown<br /><br />Because of the case materials used today, storing batteries on concrete is no longer an issue unless your battery design is tall and skinny. If this is the case, then stratification becomes an issue. Automotive, RV and marine battery designs are not plaqued by this.....

 

[farginicehole]

Re: Charging A Deep Cycle Battery

Yeah, that concrete thing is now an old wives' tale. I store my two trolling batteries on my concrete basement floor all winter long. As far as chargers go, I picked up a Guest "smart" charger about 3 years ago and am on my 5th season with the same batteries! These chargers are a little more expensive, but pay for themselves over and over as they really extend the life of your expensive batteries and virtually eliminate the frustration of having your batteries crap out when you're out on the lake!