How Do You Maintain a Deep Cycle Battery?

Deep cycle batteries power our outdoor recreation vehicles. Deep cycle batteries, as compared to starter batteries, require extra upkeep and management to extend their life. Now, what’s the best way to maintain a deep cycle battery?

Deep Cycle Battery Maintenance Tips

Full Charge Before Use

As opposed to automotive batteries, deep cycle batteries are crafted to discharge a large percentage of their charging capacity in a cycle and provide energy for a longer length of time. When your deep cycle battery is used to power a system, the charge must be inspected so that you do not run out of power suddenly. Deep cycle batteries typically discharge 45-75% of their capacity based on the make. To ensure a long and healthy life, they should be charged up when they show a 50 percent charge, but never lower than 20 percent.

Always Use A Matched Charger

Battery chargers should be matched so that they can fully charge batteries in eight hours. Chargers that are defective or mismatched will damage batteries or significantly reduce their efficiency.

• Check that the charger voltage matches the battery voltage – 6-volt or 12-volt power supply
• Determine your battery’s ampere-hour (Ah) rating
• Divide the Ah value by ten to get the optimal charger amp rating (e.g., 80Ah / ten = 8 amps).
• Divide by 5 instead for Deep Cycle AGM or GEL batteries (e.g., 80Ah / 5 = 16 amps).
• Pick a good battery charger with an amp rating that is as near to this value as possible.

Batteries Should Be Kept Clean

Batteries should always be kept clean of dirt and corrosion. It should be covered by roughly ⅛ inch of electrolyte if exposed. Following charging, check the level of the electrolyte.

Keep the battery in a cool place. However, do not store in an area where the temperature is always very low.

Periodic Battery Testing

Battery testing regularly is an appropriate preventive maintenance procedure. There are many excellent tools available to assist you, such as voltage denoting electronic monitors, hydrometers, and amp-hour meters. Voltage tests can help identify a poor or flawed battery. When all other methods fail, load testing will detect a battery issue. It is better to get it tested by professionals. Want to get your battery tested? Don’t know how you maintain a deep cycle battery. You are in the right place. At SW Batteries, our experts will help you test your car battery for free!