Deep cycle batteries and automotive batteries are two types of batteries designed for different purposes, powering everything from vehicles to renewable energy systems. Despite their similarities, they fulfill different roles. In this article, we'll look at the pros and cons of deep-cycle and automotive batteries.
Deep Cycle vs. Automotive Battery: Key difference
Deep cycle battery
Deep cycle batteries provide stable power over long periods, making them ideal for applications that require a constant flow of power over a long period. With thicker plates and robust construction, they can be repeatedly charged and discharged without significant loss of performance. This makes them suitable for powering appliances in RVs, boats, and off-grid power systems.
LiFePO4 batteries are a type of deep-cycle battery known for their safety, long life, and stability. They can be used as deep-cycle or starter batteries and offer high energy density and longer life than traditional lead-acid batteries. Lightweight and environmentally friendly, these batteries are an excellent choice for renewable energy storage and electric vehicles.
Automotive battery
Automotive batteries provide a high burst of power in a short period to start the engine quickly. Car battery starting power is measured in cold start amps. It is this starting power that makes an automotive battery an automotive battery.
Advantages of deep cycle battery
Long life: Deep-cycle batteries are designed to withstand deep charge/discharge cycles, so they typically have a long cycle life and can withstand multiple deep charge/discharge cycles without degrading battery performance. For example, a 24V 200AH Smart LiFePO4 lithium battery will last 8 to 10 times longer than a deep-cycle lead-acid battery.
Deep discharge capability: Compared to normal batteries, deep cycle batteries can be discharged to a low state of charge without damaging the battery, providing more usable energy than automotive batteries, making them suitable for applications with long-term power requirements. Deep cycle batteries can. Lithium batteries can be discharged to a much deeper state of charge, providing up to 2 times the available power of traditional lead-acid deep-cycle batteries.
Higher capacity: Lead acid deep-cycle batteries have a higher capacity than automotive batteries. This means that deep-cycle batteries can store more energy. The higher capacity is the reason why deep-cycle batteries are used as domestic batteries in caravans or boats. This is also why deep-cycle batteries are often referred to as marine batteries, as they are the most common batteries used on boats.
Disadvantages of deep cycle battery
Higher cost: Deep cycle batteries are typically more expensive than standard batteries, making them less cost-effective in some applications.
Ambient temperature sensitivity: Deep cycle batteries can suffer from temperature extremes and must be operated within a suitable temperature range to maintain optimum performance.
Shorter shelf life: Deep-cycle batteries have a shorter shelf life than automotive batteries. Deep-cycle batteries degrade more quickly when not in use. This makes them less suitable for applications where the battery is not used for long periods of time. However, lithium deep-cycle batteries do not have this disadvantage.
Advantages of car battery
High starter ower: Automotive batteries are designed to provide a high starting current, suitable for dealing with short bursts of high power demand. This burst of power allows automotive batteries to start the engine of your car, truck, or boat.
Lower cost: Automotive batteries are cheaper than deep-cycle batteries, making them suitable for large-scale applications such as automobiles.
Longer shelf life: lead acid car batteries have a longer shelf life than lead acid deep cycle batteries. This means that automotive batteries retain their charge when not in use. This makes automotive batteries ideal for applications where the battery is not used for an extended period, such as when your car is parked in a parking lot for a month. That said, lithium batteries discharge much slower and have a 4x longer shelf life, making them the battery of choice for motorcycles, ATVs, golf carts, or any vehicle where the battery sits for a while between adventures.
What is a vented deep-cycle battery?
A liquid-rich deep-cycle battery, also known as a wet-cell battery, is a type of battery specifically designed for deep-cycle charging and discharging. This type of battery typically uses a liquid electrolyte (usually a sulphuric acid solution) to transfer the charge, and this electrolyte is free to fill the internal components covering the lead plates within the battery cell. It has a high capacity and cycle life for application scenarios that require frequent deep discharge and charge.
This design allows efficient ion exchange between the plates during charge and discharge cycles, making it ideal for applications such as marine, and recreational vehicles, solar storage, and backup power systems.
Although liquid-rich deep-cycle batteries are generally less expensive, they require regular maintenance because their electrolyte is in liquid form. This maintenance includes regularly checking the electrolyte level and adding distilled water as required to compensate for electrolyte loss that can occur during evaporation and charging.
Maintenance requirements and the risk of acidic electrolyte spillage or leakage are critical considerations when selecting a battery for a particular application. While vented deep cycle batteries are generally less expensive than sealed batteries such as AGM or gel batteries, the features that require regular maintenance must be carefully considered when making a selection. Performing these maintenance tasks will help to ensure continued efficient battery operation and reduce the risk of potential electrolyte leakage, thereby extending the life and stability of the battery.
FAQ
Q: Can I use Lithium batteries instead of Deep Cycle batteries?
A: In most cases yes, but not for engine-starting applications. Lithium deep-cycle batteries are a direct replacement for lead-acid batteries in 12V systems.
Q: How many hours does a deep-cycle battery last?
A: The life of a deep-cycle battery depends on several factors, including the quality of the battery, how it is used and maintained, the depth of discharge, the rate of charging and discharging, and environmental conditions.
On average, a well-maintained deep-cycle battery will last 4 to 8 years. However, this estimate can vary widely. Some high-quality deep-cycle batteries can last longer with proper care and maintenance.
