Deep Cycle vs. Regular Battery

[Bxx1]

I would like opinions on which battery deep cycle vs. regular car battery is best for my driving style. I drive the car 1x -2x month in the summer and less during the winter... sometimes going 30 days or more, with the car sitting. I welcome your feedback. Thanks,
Ron

[Ronbo]

Won't matter, deep cycle just means it can survive being totally discharged better than a standard battery. Either completely disconnect it or keep it on a float charger during long down times.

[RICK LAKE]

Bxx1 Ron as far as a battery, the more important thing is the CCA rating. I recommend 800cca if possible.A deep cycle battery is more for applications where a heavy draw is done for minutes at a time. Trolling motors on boats, winching a truck out of the mud, things like this. A regular car battery can do the same thing but drains faster. The car battery doesn't like to be drain repeatly. As far as the car sitting for months over the winter, you should pull the battery from the car, put it in a dry cool area, kept the battery level and on a piece of wood. A trickle charger on a timer. About10-15 minutes per day will keep it fully charged without burning it out. In the summer time you can leave the battery in the car and do the same thing with the trickle charger, again on a timer, no more that 10 minutes. With todays cars and all the electrical systems in a car, about 30 days is the max for a battery to stay charged enough to start a car. It depends on how many milliamps is being drawn with everything off 15 to 35 milliamps is what most GM cars are using. I can't answer for Ford, it's about the same. Hope this helps. Rick L.

[SP01715]

You don't want a deep cycle in your car. I run three deep cycles in my boat for the stereo and other stuff on board that draw power slowly, but I have a cranking battery to start the motor. A deep cycle battery is not designed to start a motor because it draws a lot of amps quickly. Get a good cranking battery and put a tender on it. I run tenders on all my vehicle batteries, as well as seperate chargers on my boat and they stay at an optimum level at all times.

[wanab5150]

Spend $60 every 2 years on a new battery and don't add baby sitting a car battery to your top 10 reasons to live.

[Dangerous Doug]

You can get battery maintence devices for $20-$30. Permanently hook up the charger to the battery, and plug it in when not in use. Use it with a regular battery.

Of course, at car shows with the trunk open, people will ask you if it's an electric car when they see the standard plug hanging off the box...

DD

[Bxx1]

Originally Posted by wanab5150

Spend $60 every 2 years on a new battery and don't add baby sitting a car battery to your top 10 reasons to live.

ya know... that answers most of my existential issues!!

Thanks, Tom

[FUNFER2]

I will suggest these.

Buy a battery maintainer.

If storing for more than 30 days, put the car on stands to un-load the suspension and relief the the standing pressure on the tires.

Fill the fuel tank and add stabil.

If storing more than 90 days, get a can of aerosol oil used for boats, and spray down each cylinder.

One thing I don't understand, holly crap Batman, how can you not drive a Cobra for that long !
(at least you get great fuel mileage) lol

[Jim Werth]

My battery in my cobra is 7 years old. The car sat for over 7 months with no charger. Started first try, just like every other year. Jim

[wanab5150]

And besides that Ron, where were you Sunday.
We went to lunch and a little wine tasting in Murphy's. You have a rep to uphold on the wine tasting trips ,ya know! tom

[Bxx1]

Originally Posted by wanab5150

And besides that Ron, where were you Sunday.
We went to lunch and a little wine tasting in Murphy's. You have a rep to uphold on the wine tasting trips ,ya know! tom

I didnt know about the Murphy's ride. That too would have resolved many more issues....
Ron

[wanab5150]

Originally Posted by Jim Werth

My battery in my cobra is 7 years old. The car sat for over 7 months with no charger. Started first try, just like every other year. Jim

Exactly!!!

[pgermond]

Ron,

I'm a bit late responding and don't know if you got your question answered. I have had an Optima Red Top in my car since 2003 and have never had a problem. It can sit for a month or two, has never had any type of charger on it, and performs every time.

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by pgermond

Ron,

I'm a bit late responding and don't know if you got your question answered. I have had an Optima Red Top in my car since 2003 and have never had a problem. It can sit for a month or two, has never had any type of charger on it, and performs every time.

I have a red top Optima in my 49 caddy and I added a tender after I started having problems when it sat for more than a few months. Any battery will go dead if it sits long enough. A tender is cheap and works well.

[FUNFER2]

As expensive as the batteries are, it's good assurance to have a "Battery Tender" (or the like) to keep it in top working condition. Also, depending on the amps left after a few weeks, it's hard on the alternator. No brainier for me.

[Bxx1]

Good advice everyone... I appreciate your responses.... thanks to all.
Ron

[jrjmac1]

Just drive the damn thing...you're welcome!

[wanab5150]

Dito...........

[jperickson2001]

I drive mine nearly every day and a five year battery pretty much lasts for five years! Imagine that. I have noticed that because my Cobra Battery is not housed in the engine compartment but instead under the car above the rear axle, it keeps it cool and probably aids in the longer that typical lifespan.