"feetwet" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm hearing mixed reviews about deep cycle batts. Should you keep it
charged all the time or let it run down before charging (i.e. memory
effect). After a few hours of trolling my batt still shows at least
70-75% full.


Lead acid batteries have no "memory effect". There is even a lot of debate
as to whether or not NiCd batteries really suffer from memory effect.

The basic rule with lead acid batteries is that you do not discharge them
more than 50% before recharging them. The 50% level is represented by a
specific voltage, something like 12.4 volts, don't remember for certain.
I'm sure you can find this on the net. In the meantime if you keep them on
a charger at 13.2 volts they will stay fresh.