An In Depth Look At Deep Cycle Batteries
Hi everyone, Patty here. Some of you may know that our family lives off the grid. This simply means that the local power company doesn't supply our electricity. We make our own!
Making electricity is only part of the equation. After you make it, you need to store it. That's were deep cycle batteries come in. Deep cycle batteries are used in a number of applications, such as boating, RV'ing, and more. Come with me while we explore deep cycle batteries.
What Are Deep Cycle Batteries?
Simply put, deep cycle batteries are batteries that are designed to be deeply discharged and recharged many times without negatively affecting their life span.
Everyone is familiar with automobile batteries. They are 12 volts and most of them are of the lead acid chemistry type. More on that in a minute. These automotive batteries are designed for a very specific purpose. To start your vehicle. They are capable of producing enormous amounts of power for very brief intervals.
They don't like to be deeply discharged. Every time you leave your lights on and need to have a jump start or your battery connected to a charger, you are risking permanently damaging your battery. Not because you recharged it, but because you let it get too low in the first place.
When you allow this type of battery to become deeply drained, The battery grows deposits on the inside which is called "sulfication". This generally cannot be reversed and will prevent the batteries from being fully recharged in the future.
Herein lies the marvel of deep cycle batteries. There are many uses for them. To name a few. Electric vehicles, trolling motors for boating, RV camping, remote communication stations, and alternatively powered homes that make their electricity with solar panels, wind turbines, or micro hydro turbines.
Deep cycle batteries are generally manufactured in either 6 volt or 12 volt models. There are others but these are the most common.
There are a few different types of deep cycle batteries. They each are made up of unique chemical properties. There are flooded lead acid, gelled, and AGM (absorbed glass mat) types. We'll discuss the different types a little later.
Deep cycle batteries are usually more robustly built than starting batteries. They are specially designed to go through many charge / discharge cycles throughout their life span.
Types of Deep Cycle Batteries
There are three main chemistry types of deep cycle batteries. The first is what is called flooded lead acid batteries. These are the most common variety. They consist of several thick lead plates encased in a hard plastic battery shell. The battery is then filled with an acid called electrolyte. The plates are wired together in such a manner as to produce the necessary voltage. As these batteries are charged, the chemical reaction produces hydrogen gas which is very explosive. Precautions must be taken to ensure these batteries are charged in a well ventilated area and not exposed to fire or electrical sparks. Over time, the electrolyte level in this type of battery must be replenished by filling with distilled water.
The second type is called a gelled battery. The electrolyte in a gell cell battery is mixed with a silica additive which causes it to set up or thicken. These are no maintenance batteries which means you don't need to add electrolyte.
The third is called AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat. The Absorbed Glass Matt construction allows the electrolyte to be suspended in close proximity with the plates active material. In theory, this enhances both the discharge and recharge efficiency. These are also no maintenance batteries.
What does this all mean to you? For most of your applications you will want lead acid batteries. They are simple to maintain and the most inexpensive to buy.
When electricity is applied to the deep cycle battery terminals, a chemical reaction takes place. This process stores up energy. When you use the power from the battery by hooking it up too a charging source, the chemical reaction reverses.
Explosion Hazard!
The charging process of deep cycle batteries produce toxic and explosive hydrogen gas! Special precautions should be taken to ensure that these batteries are charged in a well ventilated area.
* Never charge deep cycle batteries in an enclosed area. Especially not indoors!
* Never charge deep cycle batteries where there is an open flame such as a pilot light or any place that might experience electrical sparks.
These same rules apply for charging any standard automotive battery as well.
Maintenance of Deep Cycle Batteries
Maintaining deep cycle batteries is simple. You need to recharge them after each use. While they can be deeply discharged, it's not good for them to be left in an uncharged state for a prolonged period of time.
Also, you'll need to periodically inspect the flooded lead acid type to ensure that the electrolyte level doesn't get too low. If it's below the the fill mark when you check it, simply top them off with distilled water. You must use distilled water as non distilled water contains minerals that will damage the battery.
Keep the battery clean by wiping it down with a damp rag. If corrosion builds up on the terminals, you can remove it with a commercially available battery cleaner. You can also use a solution of baking soda and water. I've even used diet Coke in a pinch.
Making electricity is only part of the equation. After you make it, you need to store it. That's were deep cycle batteries come in. Deep cycle batteries are used in a number of applications, such as boating, RV'ing, and more. Come with me while we explore deep cycle batteries.
What Are Deep Cycle Batteries?
Simply put, deep cycle batteries are batteries that are designed to be deeply discharged and recharged many times without negatively affecting their life span.
Everyone is familiar with automobile batteries. They are 12 volts and most of them are of the lead acid chemistry type. More on that in a minute. These automotive batteries are designed for a very specific purpose. To start your vehicle. They are capable of producing enormous amounts of power for very brief intervals.
They don't like to be deeply discharged. Every time you leave your lights on and need to have a jump start or your battery connected to a charger, you are risking permanently damaging your battery. Not because you recharged it, but because you let it get too low in the first place.
When you allow this type of battery to become deeply drained, The battery grows deposits on the inside which is called "sulfication". This generally cannot be reversed and will prevent the batteries from being fully recharged in the future.
Herein lies the marvel of deep cycle batteries. There are many uses for them. To name a few. Electric vehicles, trolling motors for boating, RV camping, remote communication stations, and alternatively powered homes that make their electricity with solar panels, wind turbines, or micro hydro turbines.
Deep cycle batteries are generally manufactured in either 6 volt or 12 volt models. There are others but these are the most common.
There are a few different types of deep cycle batteries. They each are made up of unique chemical properties. There are flooded lead acid, gelled, and AGM (absorbed glass mat) types. We'll discuss the different types a little later.
Deep cycle batteries are usually more robustly built than starting batteries. They are specially designed to go through many charge / discharge cycles throughout their life span.
Types of Deep Cycle Batteries
There are three main chemistry types of deep cycle batteries. The first is what is called flooded lead acid batteries. These are the most common variety. They consist of several thick lead plates encased in a hard plastic battery shell. The battery is then filled with an acid called electrolyte. The plates are wired together in such a manner as to produce the necessary voltage. As these batteries are charged, the chemical reaction produces hydrogen gas which is very explosive. Precautions must be taken to ensure these batteries are charged in a well ventilated area and not exposed to fire or electrical sparks. Over time, the electrolyte level in this type of battery must be replenished by filling with distilled water.
The second type is called a gelled battery. The electrolyte in a gell cell battery is mixed with a silica additive which causes it to set up or thicken. These are no maintenance batteries which means you don't need to add electrolyte.
The third is called AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat. The Absorbed Glass Matt construction allows the electrolyte to be suspended in close proximity with the plates active material. In theory, this enhances both the discharge and recharge efficiency. These are also no maintenance batteries.
What does this all mean to you? For most of your applications you will want lead acid batteries. They are simple to maintain and the most inexpensive to buy.
When electricity is applied to the deep cycle battery terminals, a chemical reaction takes place. This process stores up energy. When you use the power from the battery by hooking it up too a charging source, the chemical reaction reverses.
Explosion Hazard!
The charging process of deep cycle batteries produce toxic and explosive hydrogen gas! Special precautions should be taken to ensure that these batteries are charged in a well ventilated area.
* Never charge deep cycle batteries in an enclosed area. Especially not indoors!
* Never charge deep cycle batteries where there is an open flame such as a pilot light or any place that might experience electrical sparks.
These same rules apply for charging any standard automotive battery as well.
Maintenance of Deep Cycle Batteries
Maintaining deep cycle batteries is simple. You need to recharge them after each use. While they can be deeply discharged, it's not good for them to be left in an uncharged state for a prolonged period of time.
Also, you'll need to periodically inspect the flooded lead acid type to ensure that the electrolyte level doesn't get too low. If it's below the the fill mark when you check it, simply top them off with distilled water. You must use distilled water as non distilled water contains minerals that will damage the battery.
Keep the battery clean by wiping it down with a damp rag. If corrosion builds up on the terminals, you can remove it with a commercially available battery cleaner. You can also use a solution of baking soda and water. I've even used diet Coke in a pinch.
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