I was in a local marine supply store this morning, where they sell "Sea Hawk" marine batteries, all different types, starters, dual purpose and deep cycle. Actually two stores this morning, same Sea Hawks.
I looked at a DEEP CYCLE as marked on side of case and next to it was the same size in a DUAL PURPOSE - as marked on the case.
Both batts had identical CCA and reserve minute ratings, and ironically, the same exact part numbers.
My own Interstate Marine 29s are labeled on the battery case as deep cycle but on the website show as dual purpose.
Exact same part number.
Need I say more about so called "deep cycles" not being recommended to start motors?
One key to long life is to buy a battery fresh, I only buy at distributor and check the date of manufacture on the case. The batts are stacked on pallets warehouse/garage style and plenty of them. Not a place to bring the Admiral and kids.
Factory shipments in are not like milk deliveries, only specific months of the year, so make sure you are not too early in the spring getting last years' leftovers. And make sure if you go in the fall, you are not getting last spring's batteries.
I had trouble at West with old batts.
Learned a lesson, just because of a "sale" is not so good sometimes.
The fresh batteries are factory filled and 100% charged from factory, distributor just hands it over and you connect it up. If you see him checking battery electrolyte wherever you buy, and saying it needs a quick charge before he hands it over, you leave quick.
The distributor fills orders daily and run them out in deivery vans to the gas stations and marinas, that's how they get their batts.
If you don't know how to read the factory date, ask the distributor or whoever you buy from to show you.
If he doesn't want to show you or otherwise acts contrary, show yourself to the door.
Batteries get ruined by sitting periods of time partially charged.
DIYers - PM me if you want to know how to get a discount at the distributor.
