Quote:
Originally Posted by Tobler Creek
What is the useful life span of a 12 volt deep cycle battery and how should one be maintained? I bought a new on this morning as the old one lasted two years. Thank You, Jim
|
The typical lifespan of an RV battery is 4-8 years depending on the usage and quality. I would say the average life should be in the 5-6 years if well maintained.
The lifespan of a deep cycle battery will vary significantly with how it is used, how it is maintained and charged etc...
Top cause for battery damage is overcharging and undercharging.
Overcharging cause battery to dry and damage the internal plates by destroying their surface. Make sure there is always enough acid in the battery by monitoring the level and ensuring the plates are always covered. If you need to add water, always add distilled water (only). Poor quality chargers will cause this. It is better to plug your RV for a day or two every month then leaving it plugged all the time if your charger is not good.
Undercharging will cause sulfatation and also allow battery to freeze in cold conditions. This is simply when you leave the batteries unplugged for too long.
Even though they are deep cycles you should avoid completely discharging the batteries. They deeper you discharge them, the less they will last.
The battery should be kept charged without being plugged in all the time unless you have a good quality charger that prevent overcharging.