Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

[l008com]

What IS a deep cycle battery? I've always know it as simply a battery that has more capacity than a regular car battery. So, why don't they put deep cycle batteries in cars? I got my boat's battery at autozone for all of $65. And it cranked for hours and hours without a charge, it held so much power. And it was a deep cycle battery, not just a 'starting' battery. Make me wonder why not put one of those batteries in my truck. I basically only use the truck to drive my boat to the water and home. In the winter, I pretty much only move it to clean the driveway when it snows. And it's usually dead for sitting for weeks at a time.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Ayuh,.... Basically, a deep cycle battery can be drawn down to near dead, 'n recharged without harm...

Normal batteries tend to be severely weaken when dischaged to much, 'n then recharged...

Whether you drop 1 in your truck is up to you...
If the truck is killing it's battery, it may have a ghost draw doin' it...

 

[l008com]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

I do planing on checking for a draw. BUT even so, with the amount I use it, it's been drawn to dead many times, and will probably continue to be. I'm thinking a deep cycle is the way to go,

 

[robert graham]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Maybe install a maintenance/trickle charger on it, like some boaters do....They even make a little solar powered unit that will maintain a fully charged battery...it won't charge a dead one, just maintains one that sits a lot...just an idea...

 

[l008com]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Yeah I actually have a solar panel in there now. Problem is my driveway is in the shadows, so its not getting a lot of sun.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

I would take it to the dealer and have them check it. Probably a loose contact, bad ground, shorted out electrical item or maybe you have a radio that draws down the battery. If a radio, remove the yellow wire that is probably a direct battery connection behind the dash... maybe the ignition switch. If you pull the radio, it should have a wiring diagram on the top or bottom and then you can unplug it...

 

[robert graham]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Autozone sells a heavy-duty battery disconnect switch that you install right there near your battery, that would eliminate accessory drains...maybe that would be a possibility? Good Luck!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Autozone sells a heavy-duty battery disconnect switch that you install right there near your battery, that would eliminate accessory drains...maybe that would be a possibility? Good Luck!

Ayuh,... As I read down this thread, my 1st thought was gettin' an ole Battery switch,...
Even a boat battery switch will do,.. Off, B1, B2, Both,... Just use it for B1.....

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Deep cycle batterys cost more to make and buy for the same cranking amps.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Deep cycle batteries have thicker plates and can therefore withstand deeper discharges. However, the trade-off is they don't put out as much current, so may not work for your truck when it's really cold.

 

[l008com]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

I don't know if this is relevant or not, but when the battery isn't dead, the truck has always started up extremely fast. Almost no cranking whatsoever. It runs instantly. And its very old. Yet my brand new camaro that runs great, cranks for a long time before it starts. And my old RX8's did a ton of cranking too.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Starter batts are designed to produce a great many amps over a short period of time (like starting a vehicle).

Deep cycle batteries are designed to produce a much smaller number of amps over a much longer period of time.

Neither batt likes to be left in a discharged state. Cranking amps don't mean much for a deep cycle used in a deep cycle application, but would be more important if used in a starter or dual role application.

Deep cycles will serve ably as a starter (to a point, but starters don't last very long when continually deeply discharged. Some would tout the advent of the 'dual purpose' batteries. My opinion is they probably do OK as a happy medium, but not as well as a single purpose ...

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

A battery disconnect switch would certainly work but still not fix your problem with the power drain.
I use the type in the photo below on my classic cars...

They are available at your local car parts store...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

A battery disconnect switch would certainly work but still not fix your problem with the power drain.
I use the type in the photo below on my classic cars...
They are available at your local car parts store...

Curious about your picture. What is the black wire bypassing your switch for?

 

[sasto]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Starter batts are designed to produce a great many amps over a short period of time (like starting a vehicle).

Deep cycle batteries are designed to produce a much smaller number of amps over a much longer period of time.

Neither batt likes to be left in a discharged state. Cranking amps don't mean much for a deep cycle used in a deep cycle application, but would be more important if used in a starter or dual role application.

Deep cycles will serve ably as a starter (to a point, but starters don't last very long when continually deeply discharged. Some would tout the advent of the 'dual purpose' batteries. My opinion is they probably do OK as a happy medium, but not as well as a single purpose ...

Well said......in my opinion.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

A battery disconnect switch would certainly work but still not fix your problem with the power drain.
I use the type in the photo below on my classic cars...

They are available at your local car parts store...

That is a fused bypass across the disconnect that provides power to things like alarm systems, radios etc when the main power is switched off. Power is still drawn off the battery, so if there is a phantom draw, this approach may not resolve the problem.

 

[l008com]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

That is a fused bypass across the disconnect that provides power to things like alarm systems, radios etc when the main power is switched off. Power is still drawn off the battery, so if there is a phantom draw, this approach may not resolve the problem.

So then what is the point of that ^^^ at all?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

So then what is the point of that ^^^ at all?

Agreed. Plus if you happen to try and start the car with your switch turned off, the fuse blows instantly.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

A fused bypass that would only serve a purpose if your stereo or car alarm shorted out, in which case, the appropriate fuse in the the fuse box would blow anyhow thereby eliminating the need for a fuse at the battery.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?

Well said......in my opinion.

Mine too. I think a dual purpose would be a viable option for you.