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I have read the different specs on batteries and I know the AGM's are the
most recommended.
There are quite a few things to consider for sure.
I have a question about charge cycles.
In applications such as ours, a golf cart seems the closest match in usage,
where the system is charged at night and then receives a relatively deep
discharge during the day.
From my reading the various battery sites, it seems the lead plate's
thickness has an impact on how many charge/discharge cycles a particular
battery will withstand before it goes to hell.
Most golf carts use 6 volt batteries in series, and the plates are thicker
than the ones in 12 volt batteries.
Now I realize these are all wet cell batteries.
The thicker plates in a 6 volt battery are apparently able to withstand
more deep discharge cycles than the thinner 12 volt plates. The overall size of
the batteries is close to the same but the 6 volt with only 3 cells has bigger
cells, I assume because the plates are thicker.
I've seen some battery manufacturers claim up to 700 cycles, while others
don't have a set number of cycles published.
AGM's have advantages as far a spilling, out gassing, and maybe reduced
charge times.
I'm wondering how many cycles can be reasonably expected, provided the
batteries aren't abused by discharging them too low during any one dive.
Frank D.
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