deep cycle batteries

Hi,

This is a really interesting topic as there are so many variables. I generally get a min of 4 years from my starter battery and have some sealed lead acid in the car for my fridge etc that are over 7 years old and behave as new. Also have a couple of gel cells that are over 5 years old. I don't touch deep cycle for many reasons. The single biggest killer of batteries is being undercharged, an altenator will not fully charge a battery, certainly not in normal circumstances. I recharge my battery off a 3 stage charger after every trip and about monthly otherwise. Yes the charger was $500 compared to a cheap one for under $100 but I can leave the charger unmonitored and I've more than paid for it by extending the life of batteries. I also put a battery conditioner in the unsealed lead acid and run a mega pulse. Can't confirm the mega pulse but have been running tests on it in a lab. By far the best you can do is keep the temps down and try and not over charge with the cheap chargers plus try and keep from being undercharged to a min as in time frames.

Ray

Pete, I have the 80 litre fridge but should have got the 60 litre.
The only difference is height and the 80 litre is to deep for us.
These fridges are fantastic but do take up a lot of room.
The 115AH battery when new would give me three days run time without any recharging,
but now can only get one day as the battery is three years old and past its use by date.
I use the pirrahna 150 isolator which is trouble free.
With my next battery I am going to do the following:
1. turn the fridge up to a high setting when the vehicle is running then turn to a lower setting
when I pull up this will save the battery heaps.
2. always put the solar panel out (I have an 80 watt), even if only camping for one day.
3. after returning home put the battery on charge with a good quality charger ASAP
4. try not to discharge (or cycle) the battery no more than 20% of its capacity.
5. check the electrolyte religiously.
6. try to get a bit of air flow around the fridge when travelling to help dissipate the heat generated
when the fridge is operating.

Hopefully these little tips will extend the life of the battery.
Cheers Dazza