RickK
02-23-2002, 08:56 AM
I can get reg auto diehards fairly cheaply,.and legally( afriend in the business) I can get em for about 1/2 of what they cost at Sears. I understand that people use deep cycle batteries and that reg auto batteries are not the best but at this price do you think it is worth doing? (I can't get their deep cycle ones at any real discount)
Jim Carroll
02-23-2002, 09:48 AM
If your question is- Can I use auto starting batteries to power my trolling motor? I think your wasting your money. This snip explains why-
4.2. Type
Car batteries are especially designed for high initial cranking amps (usually 200 to 400 amps for five to 15 seconds) to start a car and for shallow (10% or less) discharges. They are not designed for deep cycle discharges. Deep cycle (and marine) batteries are designed for prolonged discharges at lower current and not for high current discharges. The plates in a car battery are more porous and thinner than in deep cycle batteries and use sponges or expanded metal grids instead of solid lead. A deep cycle battery will typically outlast two to ten car batteries when used in deep cycle applications. In warm weather, starting an engine will typically consume less that 5% of a car battery's capacity. In contrast, deep cycle (or marine) batteries are used for applications that will consume between 20 and 80% of the battery's capacity.
A “dual” or starting marine battery is a compromise between a car and a deep cycle battery that is specially designed for marine applications. A deep cycle or “dual marine” battery will work as a starting battery if it can produce enough current to start the engine, but not as well as a car battery. For saltwater applications, AGM or gel cell batteries are highly recommended to prevent chorine gas.
More FAQ's
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/
http://www.marine-electronics.net/techarticle/battery_faq/b_faq.htm
http://www.optimabatteries.com/faq.asp#q12