Deep cycle battery life expectancy is one of the most passionate issues that owners of automotive and marine assemblies often try to clarify. The information in the article will help set the record straight since the batteries’ expiration date is crucial because of the unit’s high cost. Note that it cannot be repaired but only replaced.
The manufacturers claim the lifespan of the assembly but the convergence of the production specification declared with its real consumer properties isn’t 100-percent full. It depends on the weather condition, climate features, scope of application, etc. For example, the best deep cycle battery charger has a substantial impact on its lifespan because they have temperature compensation and a temperature sensor that provide the correct process of feeding.
To be precise, the expiration date, in this case, means the number of the battery’s duty cycles – how many times the user can feed it.
The Influencing Factors
Each unit has its own depth of drain – 10%, 20% or 50%. If the user lets the battery be emptier than a claimed threshold, it results in its serviceability reduction. Conversely, if exceeding the threshold, it will last much longer. For instance, if its depth of drain is 30% and a claimed life is 4 years, it will last 8 hours if emptying it no less than 60%.
The other influencing factor is the field of the deep cycle battery’s use. For example, units for marine transport usually “live” for up to 6 years, for golf carts – up to 7 years. Industrial modifications are the most expensive but they can serve up to 20 years.
When asking “how long do deep cycle batteries last?” consider their quality that is manifested in the durability of plates. The thicker they are the more reliable product it is. The required thickness is about 3–5 mm.
Some deep cycle units cannot stand high current for fast powering but the most advanced models accept it and give an opportunity to feed them quicker.
Proper care is also crucial. Certainly, the nuances are dependable on the product’s type, but there are some common rules. For example, all of them need a full charge before using them. In addition, their plated should be always covered with a liquid that’s why it’s important to monitor the level of electrolyte. Otherwise, the risk of an explosion appears. The composition of water is meaningful – its total dissolved solids cannot exceed 200 parts per million.
Sometimes it’s necessary to use a chain of energy sources in order to feed portable systems. In this case, to make them serve for years, pick the unit with identical parameters. Besides, if one “link” is out of service, the whole chain should be replaced.
