deep cyle batteries...charging

[vipzach]

What is the best practice for charging my deep cycle battery? It is used only for the stereo and lights. I have been putting a battery maintaner on it when I get home that only has like a 2A charge and auto shutoff. <br />I don't imagine that the alt would fully charge it back up on the short runs back to the trailer.<br />Thankyou! Zach

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

vipzach,<br /><br /><br />Run a search on “deep cycle battery charging”, there is a load of threads on the subject.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

What you are doing is fine, your battery will last forever. (Well, as much as 8 years or so). All batteries will last longer with a slow charge, and being kept fully charged. A slow charge saturates the plates better.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

As long as your two-amp charger is the automatic (maintainer) variety, it can be left connected indefinitely. Mine stays connected all winter and my last trolling battery lasted 8 years and was replaced out of respect rather than failure.

 

[vipzach]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

Yes it is automatic(charger). Thanks guys, that is what I wanted to know. I am still reading some of the posts that limited suggested, they seem to say that my slow charger is just a waste of money though. I'll keep reading.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

Originally posted by vipzach:<br />I am still reading some of the posts that limited suggested, they seem to say that my slow charger is just a waste of money though.

Nope...as long as you're not in a hurry, the slow charger is best. As you discharge the battery sulfation develops on the plates. This is eventually what kills the battery. A slower charge allows this to dissolve more easily than a fast charge.

 

[vipzach]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

Thankyou ZmOz, that makes sense to me. I guess this could be one of those debates, which is better fast or slow charging? I will stick with what I am doing. It is not like we are talking about a huge investment, if it last 2-3 years...fine.<br />I gotta figure out how to do that quote thing.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

Originally posted by vipzach:<br />I gotta figure out how to do that quote thing.

Click on the button to the right of the "edit post" button. <br /><br />If you really want to make the battery last longer, you might want to get a slow charger that also desulphates the battery, such as a "battery minder". It might be cheaper in the end to just buy a new battery every few years, though....

 

[vipzach]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

Well that is easy(quote thing). Thanks again ZmOZ!

 

[Mike Johnson]

Re: deep cyle batteries...charging

For your application, if you have enough time between runs, what you are doing is the best practice. When a battery is slowly discharged, it should be slowly recharged. As zmoz stated, this will disolve the sulfation more completely. If a battery is quickly discharged, it should be so recharged, as a regulated alternater in your tow vehicle does. The difference is in the bonding of the sulfation.