Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Has anyone tried using Deep Cycle batteries in place of BOTH the standard batteries starting a Diesel Cruiser. I note there are some Deep Cycle (standard wet type - not AGM or similar) that are rated for starting.

Option 2 is to go a really small Optima for starting due to their huge CCA and two deep cycles with an isolator.

I dont see the point in having a large starting battery I only use 5% of. It's a diesel. It starts right away, or it's stuffed.

Thanx
Paul
BNE - '98 HZJ105

In my Rocky, I have used a smaller AGM battery (225mm x 135mm) for starting purposes as it has 600CCA/55Ah and will use my N70 for the auxillary battery (soon to be deep cycle, ~90-100Ah).
I don't need a big starter battery, coz everything else like the fridge runs off the auxillary.

I don't think you should start off a deep cycle for an extended period, as the plates begin to break down more easily. Some marine type batteries have got ratings for both Amp-hours and CCA as you said, but I cant comment on thier performance.

I think Option 2 would be the safest, if you really need the 2 deep cycles... the Optima red tops are quite small for the CCA and work well for starting.

The reason you have a large battery to start from is that its cheaper to get the CCA needed from a physically bigger battery and from factory, they give you the larger one so you have the option to run some stuff from it without going flat.
Hence, if you only start from it, it can be very small in terms of Ah or RC as you won't be using it for pretty much anything else.

me3@neuralfibre.com wrote:Has anyone tried using Deep Cycle batteries in place of BOTH the standard batteries starting a Diesel Cruiser. I note there are some Deep Cycle (standard wet type - not AGM or similar) that are rated for starting.

Option 2 is to go a really small Optima for starting due to their huge CCA and two deep cycles with an isolator.

I dont see the point in having a large starting battery I only use 5% of. It's a diesel. It starts right away, or it's stuffed.

Thanx
Paul
BNE - '98 HZJ105

I should have said Odyssey.
And small, as in motorcycle small - http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc925l.htm

Paul

Ah yep, you can mount them anywhere also due to the size and internals of them.

A few myths on Batteries explained. Firstly, if you use a Deep cycle battery to start a vehicle, you will damage it very quickly. It is not designed to be putting out high current in a short amount of time. It is designed to allow you to run fridges, lights etc for a period of time, slowly discharging the battery. In saying that, you can start a vehicle with a deep cycle, just dont expect it to last very long.

Its the opposite for starting batteries. They are designed for high amperage, over a short time. Like mentioned before, you can run them down like a deep cycle, just dont expect them to last. (about 2-3 discharges and charges, they're stuffed)

With the batteries which are both CCA & AH rated (Hybrids), you do inherrit the pros and cons of both types of batteries. I personally are not a fan of these, and therefor use a Deep Cycle and a Cranking battery instead of a Hybrid.

Optima batteries are a different breed again. They are sealed batteries (as opposed to a wet type) which makes them suitable for mounting in an enclosed area and can be mounted on their side. The big bonus with Optimas is that they are spiral wound. In a traditional "wet" battery, as a battery is charged, the acid is forced into the plates. As the acid is forced into the plates, it creates resistance, therfor taking a long period of time to fully charge the battery. Spiral wound batteries like Optimas, have a greater surface area and have very little resistance. These can be charged in a relitavely short amount of time. (approx 1.5 hrs as opposed to 8-9 and up for wet cells). This makes these batteries perfect for staying in the one place with minimal driving for an extended period of time. You will only need to duck into town or go for a short drive and your batteries are charged, where if you had wet cells, you would need to be driving all day to replace the charge.

In saying all of the above, there is a massive price difference between Optimas and wet cells. I personally dont have the use for an Optima, as I generally do a lot of driving when I am camping.

But, its a bit of food for thought and use the batteries which best suits your needs.

Jooga