DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES AND WINCHING

[Loanrangie]

I hadposted this in the auto elect section but only got one reply, so will a deep cycle be suitable for occasional winching as well as powering accesories without killing it or would i be better off with a large cranking type battery ?

[Maggot4x4]

Mine is hooked up to my deep cycle and it performs better than when it was on a cranking battery/

Deep cycles are designed to be largely discharged then recharged a lot more times than cranking battery.

[cloughy]

Mine is hooked up to my deep cycle and it performs better than when it was on a cranking battery/

Deep cycles are designed to be largely discharged then recharged a lot more times than cranking battery.

Deep cycles are designed to be SLOWLY FLATTENED then SLOWLY recharged, where as a cranker likes to have large bursts of current draw, they hate to be flattened, they also like a faster charge.

Aside from that the deep cycle will be ok its just your winch probably won't work as efficiently because of the lack of ability to produce large amounts of amps on demand.

Winchs are ideally suited to a cranking battery though.

[SANZY]

When looking for the Deep Cycle just remeber to look at the CCA rating as well to get teh highest you can.

Just because it is Deep Cycle deos not mean it can not put out hugh amps quickly it just cost more to get a good deep cycle that can put out the amps.

A lot of Car Audio competition guys have the same requirements as winching does (sustained high AMP draw from the battery for moderate time frames.) so you could take a few pointers from the type of bettery they use.

[RRturboD]

My battery problems were solved when I discovered the Optima deep cycle 750cca, ideal for helping with winching, and runs the fridge fine between times. I have a starting battery and deep cycle linked via solenoid. You will need deep pockets, but then they seem to last well as I've had mine for 7 years now.

[red90]

Deep cycles are designed to be SLOWLY FLATTENED then SLOWLY recharged, where as a cranker likes to have large bursts of current draw, they hate to be flattened, they also like a faster charge.

For regular plate style deep cycle batteries, yes, this is true. For the AGM batteries like Optimas and Exide Orbitals, rapid discharge/recharge is not a problem.

[1103.9TD]

Go the Optima's, had mine two years, red top for cranking only, big yellow for the fridges, accessories and winch. Great starting every time, sometimes after vehicle hasn't been used for six weeks!. Effortless winching, the only limitation being the temperature the winch gets to, while working.

[Loanrangie]

Pockets arent deep enough for optima's i just want something that will handle occasional winching and power accesories. What other brands of DC battery's do you guys use ? can get an exide enduranceED5 for $117 or a S/Charge for similar ?

[DaveS3]

From memory (when I looked at this) the Exide Orbitals was quite a good price ($220ish?), in comparison to the optimas

[bazooked]

the orbitals are no longer manufactured due to poor sales, unless ya can find sum old stock.

[red90]

Ummm, maybe they are not sold in Australia, but they are still manufactured.

This is the one you want (ORB34DC-36)....
http://www.exide.com.au/products/orbital.php

Specs here: http://www.exide.com/pdf/orbital_marine ... atures.pdf

It is not well explained on the Aussy site, but it is designed as a starting/deep cycle combo battery. Here in Canada, they are 2/3rd the price of the same sized Obtima Blue Top.