In order to better understand the deep cycle battery you first need to understand that a normal starter battery (those used in the family car) only discharges 2 to 5% under normal circumstances, and that the charge from the battery is only a quick powerful burst of energy. A starter battery is also constantly trickle charged after its duty cycle, while a deep discharge batter has to be heavily recharged.
Why are they called deep cycle batteries?
The term deep cycle when referring to batteries means pretty much what one would expect it to mean: they can discharge quite deeply before needing to be recharged. Most deep cycle batteries can routinely be discharged to between 50% and 80%.
- One of the reasons that deep cycle batteries can be discharged to such a degree is because they have thicker plates*.
- Starter batteries have more plates, but they are thinner in order to deliver power more quickly.
- This makes deep cycle batteries ideal for use when the electric charge produced by the battery is needed for a longer time.
- This makes these batteries the ideal choice for solar electric and backup power, amongst other things.
*(The positive plate is several long lead spines and covered in a tubular microporous sheath and then filled with a lead paste. The negative plate is a cast grid which is then compressed in with a different lead paste. The 2 plates with differing pastes react in the acid to give the power.)
Industrial deep cycle batteries can have a life span of up to 25 years and are designed for large machinery and jobs where smaller, less tough batteries would simply not last for any length of time. Most deep cycle batteries are lead acid batteries and may be what is known as wet or flooded, which means they need to have water added to them periodically. There are also gel and absorbed glass mat types.
So, the initial benefits of a deep cycle battery is its potential for a longer life span than most starter batteries, the fact that it can provide energy over a longer period of time and that it can be discharged and recharged many more times than starter batteries.
Deep cycle batteries are good for the environment
Another great benefit of deep cycle batteries is that almost every single part of the battery can be recycled. 97% of all deep cycle batteries are recycled making far less waste for the environment.
They also make it possible to provide both solar electricity and back and power where and when it is needed.
In addition, industrial deep cycle batteries are often used in various industries where larger machinery is needed, as they help to keep the machines running longer and more efficiently, providing for a more productive environment. When you consider how well they function together with their ability to be recycled, it’s clear that deep cycle batteries are of great benefit.
Find out more about deep cycle batteries on our website.