Message text written by INTERNET:ZinkZ10C@aol.com
>A battery has a finite number of charge/discharge cycles. Batteries like
to
be cycled. Yes, I know, two opposing terms. If a battery sits unused (
like
for a year or more) it will deteriorate but using it will reduce it's cycle
life.
<
In the world of lead acid batteries there are two types: starting batteries
and deep-cycle batteries. (and some hybrids) The difference is in the
construction of the plates. Starting batteries are made with a lot of
plate surface area to provide the cranking current levels used in the
advertising literature. Concequently, the plates are not very thick and do
not tolerate severe states of discharge. The thin plates will disolve away
completely and when the plate is replenished during recharge there is less
surface area and less cranking current.
Deep cycle batteries (the kind used in wheel chairs, golf carts and
electric cars) are designed for less peak current but more and deeper
charge level cycling. This is accomplished with thicker plates which have
less surface area. In some situations attempting to use a deep cycle
battery in starting applications can cause the battery to overheat and
rupture.
Both types are developed from the same generic design but optimized for
different performance criteria and the right battery must be used for the
right application.
Another interesting thing: a friend in the used car business tells me that
they would replace more batteries in the summer than in winter. Weak
batteries suffering a slow death will become inadequate in the winter time
but batteries that die suddenly usually do so from the heat.
Dave (and still more trivia where that came from) Massey
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