Deep Cycle Batteries

by: Dean Janse Van Vuuren
September 2020
0 comments

Batteries are normally divided into two broad categories: starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) batteries, and then there are Deep Cycle batteries.

SLI batteries are more commonly known as automotive batteries and many people incorrectly assume deep cycle batteries to be the same as SLI batteries.

This confusion can have dire consequences, especially when purchasing a battery for a particular application. It is highly important to understand the two distinct classes of batteries.

What is a deep cycle battery?

In terms of its construction and design, the deep cycle battery was developed to provide a steady current over longer periods of time. In the form of a lead-acid battery, it has thicker plates that reduce the surface area and lowers the maximum magnitude of current possible but increases its ability to maintain a steady current for longer.

The life-cycle of a deep cycle battery

Deep cycle batteries have a longer life cycle which means they are able to provide more charging/discharging cycles due to their greater depth of discharge. This in contrast to the SLI battery which provides a burst of current for a short duration and has a shorter cycle life.

Deep cycle battery applications

The applications of deep cycle batteries are vast. In order to counter load shedding in the grid, they are used extensively in power backup systems where they are paired with solar panels, mains power supply, and inverters.

Deep cycle batteries serve as backup power sources when other power sources become unavailable. Similarly, they are used to create off-grid solar power solutions as well. They are also becoming highly popular in electric vehicles (EV) as these vehicles make use of the deep cycle battery for providing the energy to drive them, instead of conventional fuels. Other uses of deep cycle batteries include marine batteries and leisure batteries.

How to select a deep-cycle battery?

When selecting a deep cycle battery it is important to consider the Voltage and the Ampere-hour (Ah) rating of the battery. A calculation of the loads should be done to find their electricity consumption in Ah. The load value in Ah should be 70% of the battery's Ah rating. In other words, to support a load of 70 Ah, a battery of 100 Ah or greater would be suitable. By considering these specifications, you can ensure that the deep cycle battery is well-suited for the planned application.

Further considerations need to be made when it comes to purchasing a deep cycle battery that normally revolves around your budget and the best option available in that bracket.

The conventional lead-acid battery is the cheapest option but requires a lot of maintenance. As you move up the price brackets, you find more refined versions of lead-acid batteries such as sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries and AGM batteries.

Normally, lithium-ion batteries are the most expensive deep cycle batteries but are also considered to be superior in terms of performance and lifespan, delivering more cycles at a lesser cost per cycle due to their extremely long life.

Many consider lithium-ion batteries as the modern deep cycle battery.

As retailers of some of the best deep cycle battery brands, BPZ is stocked and geared to provide you with all the relevant Deep cycle battery information you require.

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