The deep cycle battery is made to provide constant power for a longer duration. These batteries are best for applications where fast working is needed, such as golf carts, wheelchairs, motorboat trolling motors, etc. These batteries are like starter batteries that have high current instantly for starting the engine. Here we will cover features and related parameters of deep cycle batteries. So let’s get started with What Is a Deep Cycle Battery?
What Is a Deep Cycle Battery?
- The deep cycle battery is deeply discharged based on capacity. Lead-acid batteries are deep-cycle batteries that come with the same form factors as automotive batteries and reverse to-starter or ranking automobile batteries made for providing small power for a short time for starting an engine.
- The lead-acid deep cycle batteries come with an inverse relation between the depth of discharge of the battery and the charge and discharge cycles where it can work. The battery with 50 percent discharge is best to use for storage and cost relation.
How Do Deep Cycle Batteries Work?
- The working of a deep cycle battery is based on an electrochemical process that occurs between lead plates and electrolytes for generating energy.
- The main part of deep-cycle batteries is the lead oxide plate, which is a positive plate and has a layer of lead oxide paste.
- The sponge lead is the negative plate, and the third component is the electrolyte battery fluid, which is a mixture of sulfuric acid 30% to 50% and water.
- For producing electricity, the two lead plates are put in an electrolyte solution. Then an electron is produced when plates and solution make a reaction.
- Lead-acid batteries produce current as a result of ion motion between plates. Electrons move to connected devices with batteries for providing power.
- When the battery gets discharged, then the reverse process is performed for battery charging. In simple words, electrical energy provided to a battery is converted into chemical energy, and that is used for producing electrical energy for a connected load.
Types of lead–acid deep-cycle battery
Flooded
- The flooded battery has electrolyte fluid, so it is known as a flooded battery, and the electrolyte plates are completely dipped. The electrolyte must be over the plates for the working reservoir to confirm that water losses at the time of charging do not reduce the level of the plate’s upper part and cause any damage.
- Flooded batteries decompose water from the electrolyte at the time of charging, so proper maintenance is needed for the battery to check the electrolyte level and water addition. The shedding of plates causes the deep cycle battery damage and corrosion of the inner grid that is compatible with active material.
OPzS batteries
- Full form of German ortsfest Panzerplatt Säure, stationary tubular plate, acid. It is a deep-cycle battery used for backup power systems and in renewable energy circuits.
- It is used for strong energy from intermittent supply, like wind and solar systems for using off-grid.
OPzV batteries
- This battery is like OPzS batteries, with the difference that OpzV is sealed. The OPzV battery uses less maintenance, and the OPzS battery uses a top-up with distilled water.
Sealed Batteries
- Sealed lead acid or valve-regulated lead acid batteries come in a closed and fitted design through a safety pressure relief valve. There are two main types of sealed batteries. Gel batteries and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries
- A gel battery comes with an immobile and viscous electrolyte that is made with sulfuric acid and silica.
- The gel and glass mat materials connected the electrolyte with active materials. So the battery is spill- and leak-proof.
- They are highly resistant to vibration as compared to flooded batteries.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Lithium-ion deep cycle batteries are a new type of battery. The main components of a deep-cycle lithium-ion battery are
-
- Lithium electrolyte
- Separator
- Cathode
- Anode
- Two current collectors
- Current is produced when lithium ions flow from the negative to the positive electrode at the time of discharging and then back for the charging process. The lithium-ion batteries are deep cycle for all types.
 Cold Weather Affect on Lead-Acid Batteries
Electrolyte Solution Can Freeze
- When the battery is completely charged, the electrolyte solution is accurately mixed. In these conditions, the lead-acid battery freezing point is -76° F. So a completely charged battery freezes in cold temperatures.
- Water comes with a freezing point of about 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and the battery freezes at high temperatures when charged.
- It is important to keep the battery completely charged in cold weather conditions. So use proper electrolytes in balanced conditions. It means the electrolyte has resistance to freezing.
- If the battery is discharged, sulfuric acid from the electrolyte is deposited on the plates and releases more water from the battery.
 Battery Capacity Reduces
- The cold weather conditions also affect battery capacity. With decreases in temperature, lead-acid battery capacity reduces. With increases in temperature, capacity increases.
- If the temperature reduces below 80°F for 15 to 20 degrees, capacity will reduce by about ten percent.
Need High Voltage to Charge Battery
- If charging a lead-acid battery at low temperature, a high charge voltage is needed as compared to high temperature. Cold temperatures make electrolytes convert into gel-like compositions. It will increase resistance in the chemical composition of the battery.
- As a result, it will reduce the electrochemical reaction. To increase battery working life, there is a need for temperature compensation for charging. Especially do it when the battery temperature is less than 50° F.
Lower Self-Discharge Rate of BatteryÂ
- Temperature also affects battery charge and discharge rates. For room temperature, 68°F lead-acid battery self-discharge is about 3 percent per month.
- For low-temperature battery self-discharge, it is very low. For high-temperature batteries, self-discharge increases. In simple words, battery energy losses are low for cold conditions and higher for high temperatures.
Are car batteries deep cycle?
- Car batteries are not deep-cycle batteries, but they are starter batteries. The starter battery uses high starting current for engine starting. When the engine gets started, the alternator uses power required for the car.
- The Satterand deep cycle batteries are lead-acid batteries and use the same process for producing electrical energy.
Difference Between Starting Battery and Deep Cycle Battery
Plate Thickness
- There are thick plates that are used for deep cycle batteries. It is best for deep discharge to provide continuous power. Each discharge plate depleted materials on electrodes. With thick plates providing more cycles in the result, the process continues.
- Deep cycle batteries come with thick plates as compared to starter batteries.
- The starter battery uses high current for starting the engine. In result, it uses thin plates that help to provide surface area for chemical reactions to produce current.
Depth of Discharge
- The deep cycle battery has discharged from 45 to 100 percent before recharging. According to some suppliers, it is suggested to discharge the battery to about fifty percent for increasing battery working life.
- If the battery has discharges higher than 50 percent, it affects the battery cycle and reduces battery working life.
- The starter battery has a low percentage for discharging, normally about five percent when used.
How to Store a Lead-Acid Battery
- Before storing a battery, follow these points.
- Make sure that the battery does not have external damage like leaks or cracks.
- Remove dust or other particles on the battery with the use of a baking soda and water paste.
- Store the battery in a cool environment or dry place to avoid any freezing.
- Store at easy locations where we can charge them easily.
- Use the proper charger for battery charging, and when stored, check the battery voltage.
- Make sure the battery has 100 percent charge.
- Remove the black negative pin.
- The battery specific gravity and voltage needed to be accurate
Lead-Acid and Deep-Cycle Batteries
- The standard lead-acid battery has high energy in a short time, and deep cycle has low energy for a longer time and works for a longer time.
- Deep cycle batteries are also lead-acid and use lead plates but do not face issues like lead-acid batteries.
Deep Cycle Battery Voltage Chart
| 12V Deep Cycle AGM Battery Voltage Chart | 24V Deep-Cycle AGM Battery Voltage Charge | 48V Deep-Cycle AGM Battery Chart | |||
| Voltage | Capacity | Voltage | Capacity | Voltage | Capacity |
| 13.00 V | 100% (charging) | 26.00 V | 100% (charging) | 52.00 V |
100% (charging)
|
| 12.80V | 99% | 25.75V | 99% | 51.45V | 99% |
| 12.75V | 90% | 25.55V | 90% | 51.10V | 90% |
| 12.50V | 80% | 25.00V | 80% | 50.00 V | 80% |
| 12.30V | 70% | 24.60V | 70% | 49.20V | 70% |
| 12.15V | 60% | 24.30V | 60% | 48.60V | 60% |
| 12.05V | 50% | 24.10V | 50% | 48.20V | 50% |
| 11.95V | 40% | 23.90V | 40% | 47.80 V | 40% |
| 11.81V | 30% | 23.62V | 30% | 47.24V | 30% |
| 11.66V | 20% | 23.32V | 20% | 46.64V | 20% |
| 11.51V | 10% | 23.02V | 10% | 46.04V | 10% |
| 10.50 V | 0% | 21.00V | 0% | 42.00 V | 0% |
Deep-Cycle Battery Discharge Chart
| Battery Ah Rating | 7-Minute Maximum Discharge Current |
30-Minute Maximum Discharge Current
|
| 5Ah | 15 Amps |
10 Amps
|
| 7Ah | 21 Amps |
14 Amps
|
| 8Ah | 24 Amps |
16 Amps
|
| 9Ah | 27 Amps |
18 Amps
|
| 10Ah | 31 Amps |
21 Amps
|
| 12Ah | 36 Amps |
24 Amps
|
| 14Ah | 42 Amps |
31 Amps
|
| 15Ah | 44 Amps |
32 Amps
|
| 18Ah | 57 Amps |
40 Amps
|
| 22Ah | 66 Amps |
46 Amps
|
| 35Ah | 105 Amps |
84 Amps
|
Applications
- It is used for providing cathodic protection since it is used for marine uses. It is also used for marine applications such as sailboats lacking power production features, normally smaller vessels.
- It is used for trolling motors for recreational fishing boats.
- It is used for floor sweepers and forklifts that are electrically propelled.
- It is used for well-chargers and off-grid energy storage systems for solar power.
- It also has part of recreational vehicles and traction batteries for proper use.
- It is used to provide power to devices and instruments connected at a distance.
- Traction batteries are used for vehicles, like golf carts and electrical vehicles.
- It is used for traffic signals and UPS power supplies, and computer batteries are also used in sump pumps.
- It is used in audio instruments.
FAQs
What is the difference between a deep cycle battery and a regular one?
- A deep cycle battery comes with a thick plate, then a conventional lead-acid battery. That provides a battery for work longer for continuous power providing but has less power than a conventional battery.
Can a completely dead deep cycle battery be recharged?
- Deep cycle batteries are used for marine applications and are designed to be discharged completely, and we can charge them again under new conditions.
Which is better, a deep cycle or lithium battery?
- Lithium batteries store voltage for a cycle, contrary to lead acid, where voltage is lost instantly. In simple words, high power from a lithium battery over a cycle. Lead-acid deep-cycle batteries have limited amps that can discharge and limit the working of connected devices.
How long will a deep cycle battery last?
- A deep cycle battery can work for about six years.
What is the purpose of a deep cycle battery?
- The main use of a deep cycle battery is to be repeatedly charged and discharged. It is used in devices such as golf carts, RVs, and solar power systems.
