What type of battery should i get?

[gg_courier05]

I am looking at setting up a dual battery system in my courier and am just wondering what kind of battery i should be using for the one to run my fridge off etc?

Should i get a deep cycle? How much am i looking to spend etc?

[PJ.zook]

If you are running a fridge, then a deep cycle is a great choice. Two good ones are the Exide Orbitals for around $300ish, and the Optimas for around $350 (havent looked at prices in ages, im just givin ballpark).

[T_Diesel]

You want a deep cycle for running low current accessories over long periods such as fridges and camp lights.

Smaller lead acid are a lot cheaper say about $120 for a 55 amp hour battery but bear in mind, you get what you pay for. IMHO, I would fit the biggest possible battery in terms of amp hours in the space you have and if AGMs are in your budget go with one of them.

Take a read of this article, it's pretty good at explaining the differences and what to look for.

http://www.exploroz.com/vehicle/electri ... eries.aspx

[Slunnie]

If your starter battery is a lead acid then stick with lead acid for the 2nd battery. An alternator that is setup for lead acid wont produce enough voltage to charge the newer design AGM and Optima type batteries - so all of that expense is wasted. If your vehicle does have an AGM battery, then use an AGM type 2nd battery (don;t use lead-acid or you will cook it eventually in that scenario).

Deep cycle is what you want for the 2nd battery, you can discharge them right down and it doesn't hammer them like it will a cranking battery. Keep in mind that battery life is proportional to what % you discharge the battery, so get the highest capacity (ie look for amp hours, not CCA) that you can get.

I wouldn't recommend the optima deep cycle (yellow) either. For the size, they don't have the capacity of other equivilent but flat plated batteries. The optima are not size/capacity efficient due to their spiral cells, but they do pack punch. I've found the LifeLine batteries to be a better battery, though there are other options out there. I do however use an Optima for the starting/winching battery.

[-Scott-]

AGMs can still be a "conventional" lead acid chemistry -the only difference is the physical construction. They use the same charging voltages, and will typically cope with a higher charging current than most deep cycle batteries. They can be used alongside a "normal" starting battery.

Personally, I bought a Full River AGM for my second battery, because I could squeeze an 80Ahr battery in the same space as a 55Ahr conventional battery.

Three years later it's still going strong, but the car doesn't see regular use, so the battery probably hasn't been "cooked" by under-bonnet temperatures as much as it might in a daily driver.

[Slunnie]

I think I've meat Calcium instead of AGM.

ANyhow, newer cars run at higher charge voltages that old style cars, and the batteries are different. The newer calcium/optima etc wont fully charge on an old style alternator.

[Guy]

I think I've meat Calcium instead of AGM.

ANyhow, newer cars run at higher charge voltages that old style cars, and the batteries are different. The newer calcium/optima etc wont fully charge on an old style alternator.

So I ran aorund in the Zuk for all that time with an undercharged yellowtop .. The multimeter was showing 14.4Volts ..

Sounds odd to me.

[Slunnie]

I think I've meat Calcium instead of AGM.

ANyhow, newer cars run at higher charge voltages that old style cars, and the batteries are different. The newer calcium/optima etc wont fully charge on an old style alternator.

So I ran aorund in the Zuk for all that time with an undercharged yellowtop .. The multimeter was showing 14.4Volts ..

Sounds odd to me.

14.4 is heaps for that battery if thats what it was charging at. It wont be undercharged.

[Patroler]

I am looking at setting up a dual battery system in my courier and am just wondering what kind of battery i should be using for the one to run my fridge off etc?

Should i get a deep cycle? How much am i looking to spend etc?

Obviously depens on budget, lifeline are highly regarded, and expensive.
If it were me i'd probably go for a marine battery, something like an AC delco voyager m24 or m27 depending on wether you could fit the 12.5" case, could probably get one for around $160 - $200, 36mnth warranty, 18mnth replacement. Delkor make a similar product, both sealed lead acid units.

Thing with a marine is that it could be used to start the car easy enough, and still can be cycled reasonably to an extent, running fridges etc - bear in mind it doesn't pay to run any battery - deep cycle or otherwise dead flat.
I recently put a cranking battery in the patrol, looked at all the options - expensive and cheap, ended up going with a sealed atlas BX (make R&J's batteries) the moulded handle has AC Delco stamped on it! N70ZZL mf for a bit over $100 with 24 month warranty, pretty hard to beat really - admittedly that is a cheap price, not availably to most

[vanbox]

Digging up an old thread, but no point starting another post.

Im in the market for a deep cycle battery. I finally got the starting issues sorted on the duramax and running a 1000cca CAT maintainence free wet cranking battery. Its controlled by a RedArc smart solenoid with both batteries side-by-side under the tray.
Alternator is 140amp, with a constant voltage between 13.9 and 14.3 volts
I dont have one yet, but will be hooking up a solar panel eventually.
Dimensions I have are 380Lx250Wx300H maximum.

Obviously the largest Ah battery suitable for the above requirements is a must. Was looking around the 150Ah mark.

No too concerned on price just yet, looking for peoples opinions and ratings on a long servicing battery.

From my research, Fullriver seem to be reasonably well priced for specs. Heard plenty of things about Haze, but they are at a premium over Fullriver (are they worth the extra $?)

I have also noticed Crown and Trojan batteries which seem to be very well priced, but know absolutely nothing about them.

Im open to any and all suggestions, experiences.

cheers

PAUL