Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/105105
Dua purpo Dual purpose batteries like this marine/ al purpo u o e/ / R RV model from Crown Battery y a are designed to handle both engine starting and moderate deep cycling in cases where one battery has to do o both jobs. Trojan's SCS225 deep cycle e battery is a top choice among mong tournament fishermen for en for or powering electric trolling olling g motors because they have a ave reputation for holding up to o heavy use. y use e. (cranking and deep-cycle) battery from our battery chart that fits in your truck — but first you need to know a few things about batteries. BATTERY TYPES ) positive internal pressure to function.) AGMs have low internal resistance that allows them deliver power and be recharged very quickly. On the downside, AGMs cost a bit more and are a bit heavier than flooded batteries with similar capacity. (The terms "AGM" and "gel" are sometimes used interchangeably, to the peril of battery buyers!) dat tter d r Lead-acid batteries, the old standard, deliver power as the acid in their electrolyte combines with the lead in their plates. Turning over a cold engine calls for producing a lot of battery power quickly so "cranking" batteries are built with a large number of thin plates in order to expose a maximum amount of plate surface area to the electrolyte. Each engine start causes a relatively shallow depth of discharge in the battery followed by an immediate recharge by the engine's alternator. Running accessories with the engine off can result in a deeper discharge, and deep discharge/recharge cycles are hard on a leadacid battery's plates. Purpose-built, "deep-cycle" batteries have fewer but thicker plates designed to stand up to deep cycling. Unfortunately, while some deep cycle batteries have enough plate surface area for engine starting some do not. Dual-purpose batteries are designed with plenty of plate surface area for engine cranking and the plates are tough enough to survive moderate deep cycling. If you accidently run your battery down too far once in a while you won't hurt this battery as much as you would a pure cranking model. Note: The label for any battery used for starting has to carry at least the minimum CCA rating for your truck. Having more than the minimum rating helps because as you discharge the battery by operating accessories without the engine running you also deplete its cranking amps. Batteries come in three types suitable for work truck use. The first and oldest design is the flooded-cell, full-maintenance type. These have removable caps that allow you to check the electrolyte level in each cell and replenish DOWN ON GEL it as necessary by adding distilled water. I would not recommend gel batteries for This antiquated design remains popular heavy-duty pickup applications. Chargbecause it continues to provide more amp ing voltages above 13.8 volts are generally capacity per pound and per dollar than other too hot for gel batteries and can drastically lead-acid battery types. shorten their lives. The chief downside to these flooded, Most vehicle charging systems reach at full-maintenance models is that they must least 14.4 volts, and I would not want to risk be checked and serviced regularly, including feeding the most expensive type of lead-acid cleaning their tops and posts as necessary battery that diet on a daily basis. to prevent a buildup of crud heavy enough to leak voltage between their positive and MULTIPLE PURPOSES negative posts. How batteries are built plays a key role in how Flooded, maintenance-free batteries also long they last and how they are best used in have flooded cells with vented caps but the your pickup. caps are not removable. These batteries are designed to provide a lifetime of normal use without needing additional water. The third type is the maintenancefree, absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery. The cell plates in these batteries are separated by layers of tightly packed fiberglass material that absorbs all the electrolyte. There is no free liquid in the cells and an AGM battery won't leak even if its case is punctured. No maintenance is necessary or possible on AGMs, other than a seasonal post and top cleaning if required. (The cells are sealed and Exide's rugged Megacycle AGM batteries are backed up by a nation-wide must maintain a slight amount of dealer network making them easy to buy and service. POWER NUMBERS Dual-purpose and deep-cycle batteries have two additional ratings that can help you obtain the capacity you propickupmag.com PROPICKUP 77