Date:         Wed, 9 Dec 1998 19:14:54 -0600
Reply-To:     Joshua Van Tol <jjvantol@USWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Joshua Van Tol <jjvantol@USWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Deep Cycle as ONLY battery?
Comments: To: Robin Davies <rodavies@FACSTAFF.WISC.EDU>, vanagon@vanagon.com
In-Reply-To:  <v04003a01b2944da0cb53@[144.92.209.223]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>Vanagoniacs,
>
> Winter has finally arrived in Southern Wisconsin and my current Autobahn
>battery doesn't want to hold a charge. I currently do not have an auxialary
>battery in my 87 Syncro Westie and as the kids and SO have no desire for
>winter camping have yet to need one(ie. heater). Previous trips we have
>managed fine with just the main battery. Thus I feel no need to put a
>second unit in. So, I ask, is there any point in using a deep cycle battery
>as my main source of juice? Am I throwing money away by installing the
>expensive Optima cell under the passenger seat? It does get very cold in

You don't want to use a deep cycle battery to start the van. They aren't
designed to take it, and will fail shortly. Also, they don't usually have
enough cold cranking amps anyway.

Deep cycle batteries use massive lead plates with not much surface area.
Starting batteries use thin, perforated lead plates, with as much surface
area as possible.

I guess the point is: Use a deep cycle battery for running accessories, use
the starting battery for starting. In an emergency, use either one for
either purpose, but know when you do this that you are damaging it.

>Madison, Wisconsin but, I haven't had trouble with starting the vehicle
>until now. Would I benefit on campouts by having a deep cycle to power the
>camping accessories during longer stays? What's the word folks?
>
> FYI: I have a new web-page up of Wisconsin eccentric destinations(Simple
>Pleasures in my sig. file). Check it out if you have time!
>
>R. Davies         UW-Madison         Biochemistry          Media Lab
>Bread and Butter: http://www.biochem.wisc.edu/medialab
>Simple Pleasures: http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~rodavies
>German Shepherd Rescue: http://www.swgsr.org


Joshua Van Tol -- jjvantol@lear.csp.ee.memphis.edu