We received a question from G. Holmes regarding the difference between a marine deep cycle battery and true deep cycle battery. And which battery type would we recommend using for a system using a wind generator.

Generally, a marine deep cycle and a true deep cycle battery are the same. However, there are differences that do make one type of battery better suited for certain applications and environments than others. The primary differences between the battery types are 1) exposure to environmental conditions and 2) size of the battery's plates.

Corrosion Resistant. Marine batteries have been designed to withstand the harsher environments often associated with a marine environment that often speed the corrosion process including:
  • exposure to water
  • exposure to salt

Battery Plates. Another difference between these battery types are the sizes of the plates. A marine battery has a thinner plate for higher cranking amps--or in other words--the thinner plate is better for the rigors of starting a battery. Deep cycle batteries have a thicker plate for slower discharge.

Applications. These differences in plate size allows you to use a marine deep cycle battery as a house and starter battery for boats and RVs whereas a deep cycle battery is better suited to be used as a house battery or as energy storage for battery based, stand-alone, solar and renewable energy systems.

Wind Generator Recommendaton. For a wind generator, we'd recommend using a true deep cycle battery, such as a golf cart battery. However, if your wind generator is located on a boat or near the coast with exposure to marine conditions, you may consider the marine version.