Understanding the difference between Starter & Deep Cycle Battery

There are many types of lead acid batteries with varying design and constructions as per the applications. Out of the many types, the batteries can be grouped as starter and deep cycle batteries. In this blog we are going to outline the difference between both of them. 

Difference between Starter & Deep Cycle Battery:

1.Design and Construction:

Deep Cycle Batteries: 

Deep cycle batteries are mostly used in applications where they have to constantly deliver a steady amount of power for hours or extended periods of time. Hence they are designed to be sturdy with  thicker plates and denser active material, that helps them to undergo repeated charging and discharging cycles with ease. Deep cycle lead batteries can come in flooded, tubular and VRLA designs with their individual benefits. Vacuna is a leading battery manufacturer in India, offering high quality deep cycle batteries for inverter and solar applications.  We have also spread our wings across the globe and are offering batteries to countries like UAE also. If you are looking for Best Inverter Battery in UAE, you can go for Vacuna inverter batteries.

Starter Batteries: 

Starter batteries are used to start the vehicles where they have to deliver a high amount of power for short durations. These batteries are designed with thinner plates which increases their surface area so that the high burst of energy can be delivered to start the engine of the vehicle. Hence they are also known as SLI or starting, lighting and ignition batteries.

2.Power Delivery:

Deep Cycle Batteries: 

Deep cycle batteries offer constant power flow for longer durations. This is suitable for applications like running appliances, fans, motors, lights and some EVs. These batteries discharge power over the period of time with sustained rate.

Starter Batteries: 

These batteries deliver a quick and high amount of current that is required to power the engine of the vehicle. Once the engine gets started the battery is recharged by the alternator.

3.Discharge and Recharge Cycles:

Deep Cycle Batteries: 

Since deep cycle batteries are built to handle deep discharges and repeated charge and discharge cycles, they can be discharged to around 50% or lower, as per the battery specifications, before being recharged.

Starter Batteries: 

Starter batteries are designed to offer high bursts of power in short durations and cannot handle deep discharges. They undergo shallow discharging of up to 20% before being recharged.

4.Applications:

Deep Cycle Batteries: 

Deep cycle batteries are used in applications where sustained power delivery is required for e.g. inverter batteries to run appliances, fans, lights etc., golf carts, marine vessels, solar applications, EVs like E-rickshaw.

Starter Batteries: 

Starter batteries are used in vehicles like cars, trucks, tractors, bikes, buses etc. Their main purpose is to bring the engine to life with their cranking power.

Summary:

Every battery is designed according to the purpose it has to serve. Hence they are designed differently & optimized for their specific function. Always go for batteries that are durable, efficient and long lasting. 
Vacuna is a leading battery manufacturer in India offering high quality batteries for inverter, solar and vehicle applications. We also deliver energy solutions worldwide including to countries like UAE and Middle Eastern countries. If you are looking for the Best Inverter Battery in UAE, you can go for Vacuna. We provide reliable inverter batteries with deep cycling capability, low maintenance and higher backup.

Types of Lead acid Batteries|Guide to Lead Acid Battery Varieties

Lead Acid Battery Invention ?

Lead acid batteries have been in use since a very long time. The first lead acid battery was invented by Gaston Plantae in 1859. Lead acid batteries are convenient to use, easy to charge , inexpensive and are a tried and tested technology. Many improvisations have been done in the lead acid batteries to help them deliver high performance.

This is the reason many lead acid battery manufacturers employ improvements to bring out an innovative product that will meet the energy needs of the customers in a better way.

What are lead acid batteries:

Your inverter battery might be a lead acid one or your automotive could be. Most of the batteries used for power storage in homes, vehicles, and  industries are lead acid batteries. The name gives away the fact that it contains lead in some form. Yes it does.

type of lead acid battery

What do they look like?

A common lead acid battery is not like the pencil batteries we use in the TV remote rather they are box shaped. They have a plastic casing of varied height.

lead acid battery diagram

Inside it has sulfuric acid in which negative and positive electrodes are dipped. Due to the reversible reaction occurring, these batteries store energy on charging which can be later used.

Parts of lead acid battery:

part of lead acid battery

1. The positive electrode made of lead oxide 

2. Negative electrode made of porous lead. 

3. Electrolytic solution made of a mixture of sulfuric acid and water.

Recent advancements have led to the birth of different types of lead acid batteries. They can also be differentiated on the basis of usage also.

Types of lead-acid batteries:

Based on construction design:

1. Flooded

2. Sealed

1. Flooded Lead Acid Battery

how does a lead acid battery work

Flooded lead acid batteries are the common and the most used ones. They are called flooded because they contain sulfuric acid and water inside which is the electrolyte. The electrolytic solution can move around freely inside the battery.

They have to be  watered at the required times and have to be maintained.

2. Sealed Lead Acid Battery

sealed lead acid battery

Sealed lead acid batteries have the contents inside the battery sealed which prevents any unforeseen leakage or spillage. Thus it is convenient for long distance transportation and frequent handling.

They are also known as VRLA or valve regulated lead acid batteries.

They have vents to let out the hydrogen gas formed during the reaction. There are improvisations done in them and they are available in different variations.

(1)AGM battery

AGM Battery

The AGM batteries or Absorbed Glass Mat batteries have a glass mat inside them to hold the electrolyte which is not free flowing. These glass mat separators are porous, made of microfibre glass and hold the electrolyte in place which helps to lower the internal resistance thereby increasing efficiency.

They are also able to provide more capacity for the available space due to their construction.

(2)Gel Sealed lead battery

In this type of gel sealed battery, the electrolyte is not present as liquid but rather in a gel formed which is achieved by the addition of silica which renders them immobile. Thus chances of leakage and spillage are reduced to a great extent.

Its design helps to lower the evaporation of the electrolyte and they can withstand more range of temperature and vibration thus making them more durable.

They also have low self discharge as compared to the flooded ones but they are slightly on the expensive side of the price but are worth it given their features.

Based on the cycles

1. Deep cycle

2. Starter batteries

Now let’s understand the lead acid batteries which are differentiated based on the cycles they undergo.

1. Deep cycle batteries

Deep cycle batteries are made to provide long lasting power uninterruptedly. They provide a continuous power and run the appliances or vehicles with its stored power. 

They are designed to undergo multiple charging and discharging cycles hence the plates are thicker.

2. Starter Batteries

These are the automotive batteries which means they are used to start the vehicles. Here the battery provides large bursts of high current for a short period of time. This leads to cranking up of the engine. The battery design is thinner and incorporates more plates than the deep cycle battery to give a larger surface area to let more reaction to occur.

If you are looking to buy batteries for your homes or vehicles, then go for Vacuna, which is a leading lead acid battery manufacturer offering inverter, solar and E-Rickshaw batteries. Their batteries are of excellent quality and give more power and performance.