The workshop consumables checklist: what to keep on the shelf
Not all batteries labelled deep cycle perform equally. A true deep cycle battery is designed to discharge up to 80% of its capacity repeatedly and recharge without losing lifespan. What separates the real thing from a starting battery with a deep cycle sticker is the way it is built inside.
Key features of a quality deep cycle battery
Look for these in the specification, not just the name on the label:
- Thicker plates that resist shedding active material through repeated deep discharge
- Reinforced separators and cast straps that hold the plates together under load
- A strong casing that reduces damage from vibration on corrugated roads
- Built-in anti-stratification and venting features on flooded types, so the electrolyte stays mixed and the gases escape safely
Where a true deep cycle battery belongs
Applications include solar storage, caravans, golf carts, marine house banks and backup power: anywhere the battery is drawn down steadily for hours and then recharged, rather than asked for one big burst. A battery that is only a lightly modified starting battery will work for a season or two in these jobs and then fade quickly.
Short version: thick plates, strong construction and a real cycle rating. RedPoint only supplies batteries proven to last in Australian heat, dust and humidity.
