What to look for in a deep cycle battery | DIY Solar Power Forum

28 Jul.,2025

 

What to look for in a deep cycle battery | DIY Solar Power Forum

Are you looking at lead-acid or lifepo4?
The difference in amp hour ratings is their capacity for energy storage. A 200 has twice as much as a 100.
You can estimate what they will power based on the amp-load rating of your device(s).

What is your application? Mobile? Fixed? I'm assuming the latter, with 8 batteries. How did you decide on 8? What do you intend to power with your batteries?

Lead-acid batteries, whether flooded, sealed, or absorbed glass mat (AGM) provide a recommended 50% capacity to avoid serious degradation.
Lifepo4 doesn't really have that limitation. They are also happy in a semi-charged state, whereas lead batteries do best when kept fully charged, or completely recharged immediately after discharging.
Lifepo tends to run about two to four times the cost, but tend to last more than twice as long. I have a out back system 36/48. With the fm80 , I use 16 6v sams club 215 amp hour batteries 8 6v 215 amp hour
batterys will make 1 48v battery @ 215 amp hours I have 2 48 v strings at 215 AH so 430 amp hours .
My battery where $ and are on year 3 and still read good ?
I would use these and get some experience , if you murder them it’s no big deal .
you don’t want to burn up 10 k worth of battery’s the first week .
I use 10% of my battery over nite so if I had only 8 6v battery I would use 20% over nite .
And please what is 100 AH, 200 AH, what id the difference?

Before you buy anything, you really want to familiarize yourself with all terms related to batteries. An Amp-Hour is a measure of capacity. It's not a very good one though, since a 100Ah battery at 12V stores less energy than a 100Ah battery at 48V. Therefor, I prefer to use Wh (Watt-Hours) - just multiply the Amp-Hour rate of a battery with its nominal voltage. Now you can compare apples to apples, and that 100Ah 12V battery stores 1.2kWh, while that 100Ah 48V battery stores 4.8kWh: 4 times the amount of energy stored.

In addition, if you use lead-acid and want to have any decent life out of them, you should not discharge these below 50%. This means that a 1.2kWh battery in reality is more of a 600Wh battery. With lithium chemistry such as LiFePO4, you don't have this limitation and you have a lot more cycles in general.
persistent topic. If you have money, cycle it frequently and plan to use it for a long time, buy LiFePO4 batteries. LiFePO4 battery safety is good and has excellent performance. If you have a small budget and a short life cycle, lead-acid batteries are your best choice (GEL batteries or AGM batteries are recommended).

Revised.

Why do you keep linking to a cell supplier, especially one that is biased and willing to mislead?

Depth of Discharge

I'm having trouble getting anything from manufacturer. How do I know what my battery's depth of Discharge is? A calculation based on battery chemistry vs other specs etc? Or what "better practice" should I use to know what settings to put into my SCC/Inverter?
LFP is a garbage choice for standby systems that sit there fully charged most of the time waiting to provide backup power. FLA is your best choice if you're willing to check fluid levels a few times a year. AGM is your best choice if you don't want to mess with checking batteries. LFP is just something that's going to degrade sitting there doing nothing.
Revised.

Why do you keep linking to a cell supplier, especially one that is biased and willing to mislead?

Depth of Discharge

I'm having trouble getting anything from manufacturer. How do I know what my battery's depth of Discharge is? A calculation based on battery chemistry vs other specs etc? Or what "better practice" should I use to know what settings to put into my SCC/Inverter?
LFP is a garbage choice for standby systems that sit there fully charged most of the time waiting to provide backup power. FLA is your best choice if you're willing to check fluid levels a few times a year. AGM is your best choice if you don't want to mess with checking batteries. LFP is just something that's going to degrade sitting there doing nothing.
There are always those who support lead-acid batteries and those who support LFP batteries in this forum. Are you going to do your best to kill one of them? I think this question is like apples and pears, you can't force anyone to like only one. In addition, I think my statement is relatively neutral. If you have money, buy LFP, which can maintain performance for a long time, of course, if you use it frequently. It is relatively more beneficial to buy lead-acid batteries if they are not frequently used. OP didn't mention the usage requirements, what's wrong with the two battery suggestions I mentioned? Don't be too mean, and thank you for letting me know more about FLA.
There are always those who support lead-acid batteries and those who support LFP batteries in this forum. Are you going to do your best to kill one of them? I think this question is like apples and pears, you can't force anyone to like only one. In addition, I think my statement is relatively neutral. If you have money, buy LFP, which can maintain performance for a long time, of course, if you use it frequently. It is relatively more beneficial to buy lead-acid batteries if they are not frequently used. OP didn't mention the usage requirements, what's wrong with the two battery suggestions I mentioned? Don't be too mean, and thank you for letting me know more about FLA.

You're forgetting about the other "those". There are those that support using the best battery for the situation. That's the group I'm in.

When you link to that website, you're linking marketing data masked as technical data.

Are you in any way affiliated with batteryfinds.com?


lifepo4 (LFP) is ideal for use in solar systems, and from a practical point of view, LFP can continuously discharge to a depth of discharge of 100% DOD better than any lead-acid battery.

No LFP battery recommends this. ALL LFP batteries and cells are rated for 80% DoD.

I don't know what makes you hate LFP so much, but you can't deny that LFP is a great invention.
This is a peaceful forum, and we want to have a peaceful discussion, rather than outright denying that LFP is garbage!

This is pretty laughable. Saying that I hate LFP confirms you've never read anything else I've written on this forum, AND it clearly indicates you don't understand the post to which you're replying.

What to Know About AGM Battery Vs. Lead Acid Battery - AAA

Article overview

  • Battery Basics: Explains differences between AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) and flooded lead‑acid batteries, focusing on design and how each stores and delivers power.
  • Maintenance & Performance: AGM batteries are sealed, spill‑proof, low‑maintenance, and perform better in high‑heat and high‑demand situations compared to standard lead‑acid batteries, which need regular upkeep.
  • Cost & Lifespan: AGM batteries cost 40–100% more but can last longer (up to 10 years) and recharge faster, while lead‑acid options are cheaper with a typical 3–5 year lifespan.
  • Environmental Impact: Both battery types are recyclable, but AGM’s sealed design offers slightly lower ecological risk and easier handling.
  • Ideal Use Cases: AGM batteries are recommended for modern vehicles with high electrical loads, hot climates, or drivers who want low maintenance; lead‑acid works for budget‑focused, standard vehicle needs.

Two options stand out in the world of automotive batteries: absorbed gas mat batteries and lead acid batteries. While both serve the same purpose of storing and delivering electrical energy and share the same chemistry, their construction, performance and applications differ. Understanding the distinctions between these types can help consumers make informed decisions. 

Read more

What is a regular lead car battery?

Also called flooded batteries, regular lead acid car batteries are the most common in cars, trucks and vans. Divided into six separate cells with positive and negatively charged plates, a flooded battery contains a liquid electrolyte solution that each plate is submerged in to create a path for electricity to flow through. 

A lead acid battery relies on this solution of liquid electrolyte to operate. Without it, limited chemical reactions hamper the communication between the lead plates. This significantly reduces the battery's capacity and voltage output, making it unable to provide the necessary power to start the car or run the electrical system. Operating a flooded car battery without enough electrolyte can also damage the internal components of the battery and might lead to corrosion. Flooded batteries also need to be stored in well-ventilated areas of the vehicle, since they release gases into the atmosphere. 

What is an AGM car battery? 

Designed to provide more amps even if the car engine is off, absorbed gas mat (AGM) batteries are becoming more common in the industry. Instead of holding freely flowing electrolytes, AGM car batteries have a glass mat separator between the lead plates. Designed to absorb and immobilize electrolytes, the glass mat prevents spillage even if the battery is cracked or damaged. This design also has pressure relief values to regulate internal pressure and to avoid gas buildup, making AGM batteries ideal for use in vehicles with batteries in the trunk or under seats. 

AGM batteries require less maintenance than flooded batteries and are generally considered maintenance-free. Because the electrolyte is enclosed in the glass mat, these batteries can be mounted in various orientations without risking electrolyte leakage.

Goto CHANGINGTECH to know more.

The differences in power output of AGM vs. lead

A battery’s internal resistance can affect its performance. The internal resistance of an AGM battery can be as low as 2%. In comparison, a flooded battery can have an internal resistance of 10-15%. The lower internal resistance means an increased battery voltage output while helping AGM car batteries recharge faster. This is important in help the battery recover quickly from deep discharges commonly occurring in hot weather conditions or because of the abundant technology in newer cars. 

Speaking of hot weather, regular lead batteries work well in any climate. However, using an AGM battery is best for those living in climates consistently above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to high temperatures can cause car batteries to have increased electrolyte evaporation, reducing the battery's performance and lifespan. In addition, heat causes corrosion buildup and sulfation (crystal accumulation) on the battery plates. Since AGM batteries have the plates encased, these effects of heat are minimized.

Which is more expensive, AGM or lead car batteries? 

Initially, an AGM battery will cost more than a regular lead acid battery. The cost can be significant, in fact, as much as 40 to 100% more than the cost of a regular lead battery. 

Flooded batteries can last three to five years with regular maintenance and proper care. This lifespan will vary based on factors such as temperature, battery quality and cycling frequency. If the battery isn't maintained or lives in harsher conditions, that lifespan can drop from one to two years.

Owners can expect an AGM car battery to typically last between three and five years with proper usage. With its sealed design, internal components are protected from contamination and electrolyte loss, which contributes to its longevity. In some cases, higher-quality AGM batteries may last up to 10 years, depending on the application and environmental conditions. Also, AGM batteries are maintenance-free and eliminate the need for regular electrolyte checks and refills that are commonly required for flooded batteries.