Battery depth of charge

How much power you take out of a deep-cycle battery before recharging it has a big effect on how long the battery will last.

Put simply, the more often you run a battery very low, the faster it will wear out. 

For most lead-acid deep-cycle batteries, it is best to avoid regularly using more than about half of the available capacity. An occasional deeper discharge is usually fine, but repeatedly running the battery flat will shorten its life.

This is why battery-bank size matters. If the battery bank is large enough for the job, each battery does not have to work as hard. That usually means better performance, fewer problems and a longer service life.

The right setup depends on how you use it. A boat used for short weekend trips will have different power needs from a campervan that spends several days off-grid.

If you are unsure what size battery bank you need, talk to your local Battery Town. Our battery specialists can help work out your power use and recommend a setup that suits the way you travel.