Quote:
Originally Posted by Merlin66
Guys,
seriously....if you want batteries more suited to our astronomical demands...telescope drives/ cameras/ dew heaters/ computers (with a 12v-18v convertor etc) then you really need to look at the batteries used in golf buggies or mobility scooters. These are under similar loadings and are robust to do the job.
Just my 2c
|
Those batteries usually are fine, but it's because they're deep cycle batteries, nothing more. Typically, they're large capacity and would be used in series to provide 24V, 36V or 48V, for example.
What makes a battery "deep cycle"? Thick/solid lead plates - that's basically it - OK, so there maybe alloys, etc. involved as well. High current batteries (of the type you find in your car) have thinner plates and often honeycomb construction to maximise surface area, whereas deep cycle batteries forego surface area (and thus have low maximum current supply) in order to maximise life of the plates. A hybrid battery would be somewhere in between.
A "marine" battery usually just means it's of more rugged construction. Often the same battery is labelled as a 4WD battery, and probably has a thicker casing and plates bolted in more solidly. A marine battery isn't necessarily deep cycle, but if it has heavier/thicker plates, it probably will last longer then a car battery ... probably, but not guaranteed. Marine batteries are sometimes not even sealed/maintenance free.
Also, not all AGM batteries are deep cycle, but that's where they really shine, so a lot are.