Deep cycle vs regular battery - which one is right for you?

What is a deep cycle battery?

Deep cycle batteries have large charging/discharging cycles, hence the name ‘deep cycle’. They are mainly used for applications that need stable power for long periods. These include RVs, golf carts, electric bikes, etc. You can click our deep cycle motorcycle battery to learn more.

Pros

• They tend to have a longer life span.
• They are durable and can perform in a wide range of temperatures
• They usually provide stronger power with higher voltage and bigger capacity

Cons

• They are generally more expensive than starter batteries.
• While AGM and lithium ion batteries are maintenance-free, flooded deep cycle batteries require proper maintenance.

What is a regular battery?

Regular batteries commonly mean lead acid batteries used as starter batteries. These batteries have been in the industry for many years and are still a part of many automotive applications. They can provide a high amount of current quickly to start an engine, hence the name ‘starter’ batteries.

Pros

• You will always find them cheaper to buy than deep cycle batteries.
• They have a higher CCA(cold cranking amps) rating than deep cycle, meaning they can provide a lot of current quickly.

Cons

• They typically have a shorter lifespan.
• You can only discharge them up to 50% of their capacity if you want them to last.

What is the difference between a deep cycle and regular battery?

This is where the comparison of deep cycle vs regular battery begins. The main differences are:

Cycle life
Deep cycle batteries can be charged and discharged more than regular batteries. They are designed to discharge up to 80% of their capacity. On the other hand, regular batteries can only provide power up to half of their capacity.

Battery maintenance
While flooded/wet cell deep cycle batteries require periodic maintenance, hassle free options like AGM battery or lithium ion deep cycle batteries are also available at a higher price range. However, you also buy maintenance free regular batteries as well. So, there is any clear winner in this comparison.

Battery replacement
If proper maintenance and care is given to both batteries, deep cycle should still outlast regular battery. Deep cycle also take less damage if you discharge them beyond their recommended limit, i.e. 80 or 90%.

And while when comparing lithium-ion battery with regular lead acid battery in terms of their life span, the former should last 3-5 years if they are maintained well.

Applications
Deep cycle batteries are designed to give stable power for long periods. They are ideal for powering your house with a solar combination. Using them on boats and submarines is also a common application. They are also used widely used for motorcycles and bikes.

Regular batteries are used in cars to ignite their engine. They can deliver high amounts of current in a short period, making them ideal for starting engines.

Cost
A deep cycle battery will cost more than a regular battery in many situations. The price also depends on the type of battery you want, flooded cell or AGM, etc.

However, one thing should be kept in mind. Deep cycle batteries can discharge up to 80% of their capacity compared to 50% of regular batteries.

This means you practically get more from a deep cycle battery with the same capacity, reducing the cost. Two regular batteries will usually cost more than one good deep cycle battery.

Which is better?Deep cycle or regular battery?

The fight between deep cycle vs regular battery is more like a study of their use cases. Deep cycle and regular batteries rarely overlap each other in their use cases.

Regular batteries, like starter batteries, are designed to provide a short burst of energy to start an engine. They deliver a high amount of current for a short period of time. Since they are not designed for continuous use, they are not suitable for applications that require long-term power storage.

Deep cycle batteries are designed to provide a steady flow of power over an extended period of time. Unlike regular batteries, deep cycle batteries can be discharged to a much lower level. This makes them suitable for applications that require long-term power storage, such as RVs, boats, and off-grid solar systems.

In conclusion, the choice between a deep cycle and regular battery comes down to your specific needs and usage scenario. By understanding the differences between these two types of batteries, you can make an informed decision and choose the right battery for your application.

Which is the best deep cycle battery?

It will depend on performance requirements and use case. You can choose AGM deep cycle batteries, which are relatively cheap, or go for lithium-ion batteries if you have higher demand for performance parameters such as cycle life and energy density.

What are the types of deep cycle batteries?

There are four main types of deep cycle batteries:

Flooded lead-acid batteries
They are the most common and are cheaper than other batteries but require more maintenance. The electrolyte is liquid and could spill in an accident. It needs to be refilled periodically with distilled water. They also need ventilation to discharge harmful gases.

Gel cell batteries
They are maintenance-free and don’t require ventilation but are very expensive.

Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries
They are similar to gel batteries in their use cases but offer better prices and are more durable than gel batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries
They are the latest advancements in commercial deep cycle battery technology. They have a longer life span and higher energy density than the rest but are also more expensive. Tycorun 12v 100 ah lithium-ion battery is excellent and a wise choice.

Lithium deep cycle vs lead-acid deep cycle

Lithium batteries win every single comparison you would want except for the price. They are lighter than lead acid, last longer, and are maintenance free.
However, it offers all these advantages, but you will need to pay more to have more. Adopting lithium-ion batteries is very cost-effective in terms of long-term use.

Can deep cycle batteries be interchanged with regular batteries?

After the fight of deep cycle vs regular battery, you might want to call it a truce and use them together, but should you? This can be answered in two ways.

Short answer is: Theoretically, yes, but there are caveats. Long answer is: You can interchange deep cycle batteries with regular batteries in the case where the specification parameters match, but it is not recommended.

Lead acid batteries can provide high amps in a short period of time. Replacing them with deep cycle batteries might not provide enough current, and your car might not start.

Similarly, you need longer battery life in an electric golf cart, so using regular batteries might force you to walk toward your final hole.

It is also not recommended to mix deep cycle and lead acid batteries as the specification parameters do not necessarily match, which may pose a security risk.

How to choose the right battery?

To choose the right battery, you must know what you want to use it for. Do you want to power your RV for an off-road experience or want to daily drive your electric bike? Or maybe you just want a cheap replacement to get your car working again.

Your budget and needs will be the most crucial factors influencing your decision. Simply put, use a regular battery for your bike and car if it’s not an EV. If you have money to spend, you can also choose maintenance free regular batteries to make your life easier.

If your main priorities are powering your home and doing deliveries on your electric bike, then a deep cycle battery is a no-brainer. AGM is a popular choice, but lithium batteries will save you more money in the long run, in exchange for a high initial cost.