I was just wondering all of a sudden what the differences are in a deep cycle battery compared to a regular car battery. Also can a deep cycle battery be used in a car efficiently?

 

we just covered this in class like last week...i don't have any notes or paper work with me right now but i believe they tend to have less CCA but can be discharged and recharged waaaaay more than a conventional battery...maintenance free also...so that's a plus...they work fine in vehicles...i know several people who run them with their audio systems and seem to be fine...
later
hub

 

Unless you are going to be drawing the battery way down regularly with a winch, stereo or lights, it's not the right tool for the job. Deep cycle batteries like to be deep cycled, not shallow cycled as comes from just starting your rig. Starting batteries like to be shallow cycled repeatedly, but do not like to be deep cycled.

I regularly draw my battery down to almost nothing with the winch, lights and 12v fridge, so deep cycle makes sense for me. I kill starting batteries. If you are not running any of those items, you are better off with a starting battery because you will kill a deep cycle by not cycling it.

Make sense?

 

In theory, could you have a best-of-both-worlds scenario by having one of each? Say one for starting your engine and one for your stereo or lights?

 

So for an occasional winch user-less than 5 times a year, a starting battery such as an Optima Red would probably be fine?

 

Yes, many people who go with dual battery set ups go that route. Keep in mind that you need a device called an isolator for the system to work. You would run the rig off the starting battery and any high draw accessories off the deep cycle. With the isolator, both batteries will get charged, but when you draw down the deep cycle, it won't drain the starting battery

You can also jump start yourself if you leave the lights on or something

 

For light duty or ocasional use like that, a starting battery like an Optima Redtop would probably be the best bet. If you are going to be drawing the battery down a lot or frequently, then a yellow top is better.

 

Great, thanks! I thought it would be enough for me b/c I have run normal batteries in my Z-71's for years with a Warn 8274 that gets used 5-10 times a year and never had a problem.