"Scotty" wrote....
What about the newer dual purpose ( start - deep )
batteries?



John Cairns wrote:
Can't help but thinking this is a marketing ploy, everyone seems to be
selling them. I can't really understand what they mean by dual purpose,
unless they're implying that the one battery is adequate for both a house
battery application AND a starting battery, no need for another dedicated
"house" battery. Any deep cycle battery with the correct MCA rating for a
particular application will do as a starting battery, and having dedicated
batteries for house and starting applications minimizes the possibility of
not having enough juice to start the diesel, should also prolong the life of
the batteries.


A single battery would be a bad idea, even if it was truly
"dual-purpose," unless you placed light house loads on it
and really didn't need it to start the engine.

OTOH if you shop around, there are dual purpose batteries
with easily enough cranking amps to start our diesel (which
bigger than anybody else here is likely to need), and with
enough reserve amps to serve as a good house battery. And
they're less expensive per amp, although they tend to be
more bulky & heavy than a single purpose of the same rating.
An oversized dual purpose battery used for starting is also
likely to have a longer service life than a starting battery.

IMHO it depends on what you're looking for.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King