Outer Limits 4x4 Board

ok super cheap price difference for a bosch battery is not much bettween super heavy duty and deep cycle.

i just run:
spotties
cd player
air compressor
uhf
fluro in cab lights
eventually fridge/freezer
no winch and prolly wont get one.
ive already got a fat ass cranker that starts my 3l diesel
so whats the best bet for my second bat??

You only need a deep cycle battery if you intend to draw low levels of power for extended periods without the engine running (let's ignore winching applications - they're different.)

Your spotties are generally only run while your engine is on. Look at your alternator's ability to meet the current draw, not the battery's size.

Air compressor? Run the engine while you run the compressor; unless your alternator is TOO small, that's not an issue.

CD Player, UHF and in-cab lights are relatively small loads - how much do you run them without the engine on? If you're only talking an hour or two each night, a standard battery will be fine.

Fridge/freezer is the big one. How big, what type, what sort of camping do you do?

For a 40 - 60 litre compressor type fridge, and touring (long drive every day) type camping, I'd still stick with a regular battery - if you can fit a big one.

If you tend to camp in the one spot, and only do short day trips, I'd buy the deep cycle battery - because it will be operating at a lower state of charge more often.

If you're limited to a small size battery, I'd suggest an AGM, regardless of camping style. More expensive, but hold more charge for a given physical size - so it gives you the capacity of a physically larger battery.

thanks heaps for taking the time to type all this out and explain it to me scott.
i notice that you reply to alot of auto elec Qs.
yeah ive got room for a large battery in my engine bay same size as my cranker so ill prolly put in something similar to do the job.
my trips 9 time out of 10 consist of a days driving then an overnite stay so it should be all good.

cheers again mate!!!!!!!!!

You're welcome.