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Which is Best Dual Battery – A Comprehensive Guide

by John Smith Learner

Assuming your budget permits, when selecting best dual battery the best answer to 'what battery should I get?' will usually lie with how much money can be put out there to purchase multiple options based on budget considerations alone. Each battery type offers their own set of benefits with regards to sizes, weights and chemistry which could influence which you ultimately select for your dual battery setup project.

Standard Lead Acid

These batteries are the easiest on your wallet, with 12-volt 100Ah deep cycle options starting around $350 for 12V 100Ah batteries. Standard lead acid batteries make excellent all-arounders when setting up best dual battery systems; additionally they're flexible in terms of mounting location if there's no canopy room available - mounting these in engine bay is no issue at all!

Standard lead acid batteries' primary downside lies in their weight; 100Ah batteries typically weigh at around 30kg each and must be factored into any touring setup to stay balanced and manageable. Furthermore, regular maintenance such as topping up electrolytes using distilled water must also be factored into consideration.

Calcium

At roughly the same price and weight point for 100Ah batteries, calcium batteries offer significant advantages over standard lead acid models in terms of maintenance-free operation and can easily fit in engine bay environments as either starting or deep cycle options. They're even an attractive solution compared to their lead counterparts!

Calcium batteries do offer some distinct advantages over standard lead acid batteries, including improved resistance to corrosion and no excessive gassing or water usage, along with lower self-discharge rates and better temperature and environmental conditions (including vibration while driving).

Gel/AGM Batteries

With Gel/AGM Batteries comes increased costs; 100Ah Gel batteries begin at around $400. They may seem slightly dearer than lead acid or calcium batteries but one should note they cannot be mounted directly under an engine bay due to excessive heat that would shorten their life significantly; instead they offer deeper cycling without drastically shortening lifespan. They weigh roughly the same as calcium or standard lead acid batteries at roughly 30kg for 100Ah capacity batteries.

Both AGM and Gel batteries share similar charging profiles on our battery chargers, making the decision between AGM or Gel battery easier when choosing between these options. It is generally advised to avoid discharging below 50% to extend battery life; when purchasing either option due to precise charging needs you'll require a charger with this profile such as Lead Crystal's.

Lead crystal

Batteries, the latest addition to the market, come at an increased price compared to AGM/Gel batteries and start at approximately $600 for 100Ah battery packs. Although their pricing increases do seem justified by this increased consumption rate and higher charge current requirements; lead crystal batteries do have some unique qualities which help recover more effectively from deep discharge than other battery types due to accepting greater charge currents and recovering quicker after deep discharging cycles than others can.

Lead crystal batteries are known for being very robust, often starting out at around 30kg for 100Ah batteries. Yet due to this robust build quality they can withstand higher heats in engine bay environments while offering long service.

Lithium

(LiFePO4) batteries are leading the pack when it comes to innovative features for auxiliary batteries. Weighing one third less than other battery types, a 100Ah lithium battery typically weighs only around 13kg which makes lithium an attractive option for anyone concerned with weight issues in their rig. Furthermore, even though their output voltage remains higher during discharge cycles.

Lithium batteries have the capacity for discharge rates up to 80%, providing much more usable power compared to other battery types with equal amp hour ratings. Furthermore, lithium can handle higher charge currents quicker than any other kind.

Lithium batteries may provide innovative technology but at an expensive cost compared to other battery types; typically starting around $1500 for quality 100Ah lithium battery packs. Their unique chemistry requires specific lithium charging profiles in chargers so as to recharge properly without risk of damage or overcharging; for more details visit our blog post about lithium's cost.

No matter which battery type is right for your setup, having the appropriate charger can ensure its safe charging without damaging its batteries in any way. REDARC's In-Vehicle Battery Chargers provide effective battery charging solutions suitable for charging all types of gel/AGM and lithium cells - ideal for any setup!

Shaun Whale has produced an informative video on 12v systems setups which may provide helpful guidance when setting up your 12V setup in your rig.

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About John Smith Senior   Learner

148 connections, 8 recommendations, 646 honor points.
Joined APSense since, February 15th, 2018, From New York, United States.

Created on Dec 25th 2023 10:18. Viewed 70 times.

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