Many may wonder why this topic and how does it relate but from my previous posts in an off-grid system the deep cycle battery is not only used but essential in the installation of a off-grid solar power system.

A deep cycle battery used for an off grid solar system

A deep cycle battery

A deep cycle battery, also called a lead acid battery is a kind of battery designed to be regularly discharged using most of its capacity (i.e., it’s a battery allowed to be charged and discharged frequently) it’s different from a starter battery or automobile batteries because automobile batteries are built to deliver short high current for a short period just to start the vehicle engine meaning it discharges a tiny part of their capacity.
Note a deep cycle battery can be used as a starter battery, but it might require an oversized battery to do the job. And this should not be used permanently as you will damage the battery real quick.

A starter battery

Although a deep cycle battery is designed to discharge use of “between 45% to 75% of its capacity” (this depends on the manufacturer) these batteries can be discharged up to 20% it is advisable due to lifespan to keep between the usages of 45 to 75 to extend battery life and save cost.

Charging of a deep cycle battery

Uses of deep cycle batteries

Deep cycle batteries have great importance in the society. Here are some of the uses I found

• They could be used for cathodic protection.
• They are applied in the marine method for boat lacking power generation.
• Applied in trolling motors for recreational fishing
• Used for electrically propelled forklifts.
• For wheelchairs, i.e., motorized
• For off-grid energy storage systems (solar application)
• Used to power equipment’s at particular remote sites
• They are also applied in ups and many more.

Construction of a simple deep cycle battery

There is a tutorial I read from a website. I have never tried it.

Warning - Wear sturdy gloves, glasses and other protective clothing when handling acids

Items needed include

• Sulphuric acid
• Gloves
• Glass Jar
• Lead plates 2.5mm thick
• Nylon
• Scissors
• Shears
• 6-inch lead tabs
• DC power source

The principle of operation deep cycle battery stores its power through lead plates and sulphuric acid (H2SO4), so please proceed with extreme caution when trying this aid is very corrosive and poisonous.

Pour the sulphuric acid carefully into a glass jar up to two-thirds full.

Cut a sheet of a lead of thickness 2.5mm into ten plates using a shear cutter cut to fit just into the right size to fit into the jar. Cut two more pieces to tabs of 6 inches long.

Now get a piece of nylon and cut into strips that are the same size as the lead plates cut earlier. You can use scissors for this operation.

Place the nylon and the lead on top of each other placing nylon strips between each plate. This help creates enough spacing in between the plates.

Insert the plates carefully into the jar of acid they need to be able to stand vertically in the pot.

Cut slots into the lid of the jar preferably 2 and length 6 inches using your knife. Slide in the metal tabs through the slot confirm they fit before closing the cover of the jar.

Insert the lead tabs into the slot made within the jar let them touch the lead plates in the jar along with the sides.
Connect your dc power source to the battery connecting a positive clamp to one tab and negative clamp to the other.

Please note which tab was connected to which lamp to identify the battery’s positive and negative terminals.

A deep cycle battery being charged by a solar panel using a MPPT charge controller

References

Build deep cycle battery
Lead acid battery
Deep Cycle Battery

Thank you for reading. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas celebration remember I am still open to gifts. By the way, I have been nominated by @rharphelle for the 7day black and white challenge I will be starting soon.