Published on: February 3, 2023
Written by Ian Carter / Fact-checked by Baten Khalil
It’s a common question with a simple answer: no, it is not bad to use a deep cycle battery for starting. In fact, it’s often the best option. Here’s why:
A deep-cycle battery is designed to be discharged and recharged repeatedly without damaging the battery. This makes them ideal for applications where the battery will be regularly drained and refilled, such as in golf carts and RVs. On the other hand, a starter battery is designed for short bursts of high-power output followed by long periods of rest.
This suits them well for cars, which need a lot of power to start the engine but then can idle for hours or even days between uses.
If you’re looking for a battery to start your car, you might be wondering if a deep-cycle battery is a good option. The short answer is that it’s not ideal, but it’s not necessarily a bad idea either. Deep cycle batteries are designed for prolonged discharge and recharge cycles, making them ideal for applications like RVs and golf carts.
They can handle being discharged and recharged many times without losing capacity, which is why they’re not ideal for starting cars. Starting a car requires a large amount of current to get the engine going, and deep-cycle batteries just don’t have the power to deliver that kind of current. They also can’t handle being discharged too deeply, so if you try to start your car with a deep-cycle battery, you could damage it.
So, while using a deep cycle battery for starting your car isn’t ideal, it’s not likely to cause any harm if you do it once in a while. Just be sure to use a proper starting battery when you can so that you don’t damage your deep cycle battery or put unnecessary strain on your car’s electrical system.
Is It Acceptable to Use a Deep Cycle Battery for Starting?
There are many types of batteries, each with its own specific purpose. Starting batteries are designed to provide a high amount of current for a short period of time in order to start an engine. Deep-cycle batteries are designed to provide a lower amount of current over a longer period of time.
They are often used in applications such as golf carts and RVs where they may be regularly discharged and recharged. So, is it okay to use a deep cycle battery for starting? In short, no.
While deep-cycle batteries can provide the high amount of current required to start an engine, they are not designed for the frequent discharge and recharge cycles that starting batteries endure. Over time, this will shorten the life of the deep-cycle battery. Additionally, deep-cycle batteries typically have thicker plates which can make them more difficult to crank an engine over.
For these reasons, it is best to use a starting battery for starting applications and reserve deep-cycle batteries for their intended purpose.
Is It Suitable to Use a Deep Cycle Battery in a Car?
No, it is not ok to use deep-cycle batteries in cars. A deep cycle battery is designed for long, slow discharge periods and will not perform well in a car where it will be subject to high currents and rapid discharge. If you must use a deep cycle battery in a car application, make sure it is sized appropriately for the electrical system and that it is properly secured so that it cannot vibrate loose and damage the car.
Is It Possible to Start a Car Using a Deep-cycle Marine Battery?
Yes, you can start a car with a deep-cycle marine battery. A deep-cycle marine battery is designed to provide a high amount of power over a long period of time, making it ideal for starting a car. However, it is important to note that a deep-cycle marine battery will not provide as much power as a traditional car battery.
Can I Use a Deep Cycle Battery to Start My RV?
No, you cannot use a deep-cycle battery to start your RV. A deep cycle battery is designed to provide a steady flow of power over an extended period of time, while a starting battery is designed to provide a large burst of power for a short period of time. If you tried to use a deep cycle battery to start your RV, the engine would not get the high amount of power it needs to turn over and would not start.
Marine Starting Battery Vs Deep Cycle
| Marine Starting Batteries | Deep Cycle Batteries |
| A marine starting battery is designed to deliver a large amount of power over a short period of time. This type of battery is typically used to start the engine on a boat. A marine starting battery has thicker plates than a deep cycle battery, which allows it to deliver more power. | A deep-cycle battery is designed to provide a steady flow of power over an extended period of time. This type of battery is typically used for accessories that require continuous power, such as trolling motors and fish finders. A deep cycle battery has thinner plates than a marine starting battery, which allows it to hold more charge. |
Details About Deep Cycle And Starting Battery in Parallel
If you have a car with a 12-volt battery, you may be wondering whether it’s better to use a deep cycle or start the battery in parallel. The answer depends on what you plan to use the battery for. A deep-cycle battery is designed to be discharged and recharged repeatedly without damaging the battery.
This makes it ideal for applications like RVs, where the battery may be used for both starting the engine and powering lights and other accessories. A starting battery, on the other hand, is designed to deliver a large amount of power for a short period of time in order to start an engine. Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over and powers the electrical system.
Starting batteries are not designed to be regularly discharged and recharged, so using one in an RV could shorten its lifespan considerably. So, which type of battery should you use in parallel? If you’re using the battery primarily for starting your engine, then a starting battery is fine.
However, if you need extended run times for lights or other accessories, then a deep-cycle battery will give you better performance and longer life.
How Do Starting Batteries and Deep Cycle Batteries Compare?
Starting Battery
A starting battery is used to start an engine. It is designed to provide a large amount of current for a short period of time.
A starting battery has a large number of thin plates that are coated with active material. This design provides more surface area than a deep-cycle battery, which allows the starting battery to deliver more power.
Deep Cycle Battery
A deep-cycle battery is designed to be discharged and recharged many times. Deep cycle batteries are used in applications where long periods of discharge and recharge are required, such as in golf carts and solar electric systems. Deep cycle batteries have thicker plates that are coated with active material.
This design provides less surface area than a starting battery, but it can withstand many discharge/recharge cycles without deteriorating.
Deep Cycle Batteries
Deep cycle batteries are a type of lead-acid battery that is designed to be regularly deeply discharged using most of their capacity. These batteries are typically used in applications where they are regularly discharged and recharged, such as in solar power systems and electric vehicles. Compared to other lead-acid batteries, deep-cycle batteries have thicker plates that can withstand more discharge and recharge cycles.
Deep cycle batteries are usually divided into two types: flooded (wet) cells and sealed (dry) cells. Flooded cell deep cycle batteries require regular maintenance, such as adding water to the cells, while sealed cell deep cycle batteries do not require any maintenance. Both types of deep-cycle batteries have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the right type for the application.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a deep cycle battery, such as the depth of discharge (DOD), capacity, voltage, size, weight, and cost. The DOD is an important factor because it determines how often the battery can be discharged before it needs to be recharged. A higher DOD means that the battery can be discharged more frequently before needing to be recharged.
Capacity is another important factor because it determines how much power the battery can store. A higher capacity means that the battery can store more power and will last longer between charges. Voltage is also an important factor because different devices require different voltages.
The size and weight of the battery also need to be considered because larger and heavier batteries may not fit in some applications or may be too difficult to transport or install.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Dual-Purpose Battery?
A dual-purpose battery is a battery that can be used for both starting and deep cycling purposes. Starting batteries are designed to provide a large amount of power for a short period of time, while deep-cycle batteries are designed to provide a smaller amount of power over a longer period of time. Dual-purpose batteries are typically used in applications where both starting and deep cycling are required, such as in RVs and boats.
There are several benefits to using a dual-purpose battery. First, it eliminates the need to carry two separate types of batteries on board. Second, it provides the benefits of both types of batteries in one package.
And third, it can save space and weight since only one type of battery is needed. The main downside to using a dual-purpose battery is that they typically don’t last as long as two separate batteries would. This is because they’re being used for two different purposes and each type of use puts different demands on the battery.
However, if you properly maintain your dual-purpose battery, it should give you many years of service.
Can a Deep Cycle Battery Be Used in a Car?
A deep cycle battery is designed to be discharged and recharged multiple times, making it well-suited for use in applications like golf carts and forklifts. However, this does not mean that a deep-cycle battery can be used interchangeably with a car battery – there are some important differences to keep in mind. For one, deep-cycle batteries have thicker plates than car batteries, which means they can withstand more discharge and recharge cycles.
They also have a lower voltage than car batteries (usually 12 volts as opposed to 14), which makes them less suitable for starting an engine. So if you’re looking to use a deep-cycle battery in your car, it’s important to keep these differences in mind. Doing so will help ensure that your battery lasts as long as possible and performs optimally.
Definition of Dual Purpose Marine Battery
A dual-purpose marine battery is a battery that can be used for both starting the engine and powering accessories. These batteries are usually deep cycle batteries, meaning they can handle being discharged and recharged multiple times without damaging the battery. This makes them ideal for powering items like fish finders, GPS units, and other electronics that might be used while out on the water.
Dual-purpose marine batteries typically have a higher amp hour rating than standard automotive batteries, meaning they can store more power and will last longer before needing to be recharged. They also tend to be larger and heavier than automotive batteries, so make sure you have enough space on board your vessel to accommodate one. When shopping for a dual-purpose marine battery, it’s important to pay attention to the cold cranking amps (CCA) rating.
This is a measure of how much power the battery can deliver in cold weather conditions, which is when you’re most likely to need it to start your engine. A higher CCA rating means the battery will perform better in colder temperatures. If you frequently use your boat in saltwater conditions, it’s important to choose a marine battery that’s specifically designed for this type of environment.
Saltwater is tough on all boat components, but it can especially damage electrical components like batteries. Saltwater-resistant marine batteries are available that feature special coatings and materials that help protect them from corrosion caused by saltwater exposure.
How Do Deep Cycle and Starting Batteries for Electronics Compare?
Deciding whether to use a deep cycle or starting battery for your electronic needs can be tough. But with a little research, you can make the best decision for your needs. Starting batteries are designed to provide high amperage for a short period of time.
They’re great for starting car engines, but not so good for electronics that need a constant power source. Deep cycle batteries, on the other hand, are designed to provide lower amperage for longer periods of time. That makes them ideal for powering things like trolling motors and RVs.
So which one is right for you? If you need a battery that can handle long periods of continuous use, go with a deep-cycle battery. If you need something that can give you a quick burst of power, go with a starting battery.
Final Thoughts
No, it is not bad to use a deep-cycle battery for starting. In fact, it can be quite helpful. Deep-cycle batteries are designed to provide a large amount of power over a long period of time, which makes them ideal for starting engines.
They also have a higher capacity than traditional batteries, so they can provide more power for longer periods of time.
