Difference Between Deep Cycle Battery and Starting Battery

Knowing the difference between a starting battery and a deep cycle battery is essential for selecting the right power source for your golf cart and other applications.

What Is a Starting Battery?

A starting battery, also known as a cranking battery, is designed to deliver a large burst of power over a short period. This high current output is required to start internal combustion engines in cars, trucks, and some golf cart batteries that use gas engines. Starting batteries have many thin plates to increase surface area, which allows them to provide the high amperage needed to crank an engine quickly.

Function and Characteristics of Starting Batteries

• High Cranking Power: Starting batteries are optimized to produce a large current surge (cold cranking amps or CCA) for a few seconds.
• Shallow Discharge Tolerance: They are not designed to be deeply discharged; repeated deep discharges damage the thin plates and reduce lifespan.
• Fast Recharging: After an engine starts, the vehicle’s alternator quickly recharges the battery, restoring its reserve capacity.
• Typical Applications: Automobiles, motorcycles, lawn mowers, and any engine-starting scenario where high current for a short time is required.

What Is a Deep Cycle Battery?

A deep cycle battery is engineered to provide a steady amount of current over a long duration and withstand repeated deep discharges. These batteries feature fewer but thicker plates, enabling them to deliver lower currents for extended periods without damage. Deep cycle batteries are popular in marine, renewable energy, and electric vehicle applications, including pure electric golf cart batteries.

Function and Characteristics of Deep Cycle Batteries

• Deep Discharge Capability: Designed to be discharged up to 80% of their capacity repeatedly without significant damage.
• Steady Power Output: Provides continuous current over hours, ideal for trolling motors, solar energy storage, and equipment power.
• Slow Recharge Rate: Recharges more slowly than starting batteries; best paired with dedicated chargers that offer proper charging profiles.
• Typical Applications: Electric golf carts, RV house batteries, off-grid solar systems, and marine trolling motors.

Key Differences Between Starting and Deep Cycle Batteries

While both battery types use lead-acid technology in many cases, their internal design and intended use differ significantly:

• Plate Design: Starting batteries have many thin plates for high surface area, while deep cycle batteries have thicker plates for durability during deep discharges.
• Discharge Depth: Starting batteries are damaged by deep discharges; deep cycle batteries are built to discharge deeply and recover.
• Power Delivery: Starting batteries provide high current for a few seconds; deep cycle batteries supply moderate current over hours.
• Physical Size and Weight: Deep cycle batteries are often larger and heavier due to thicker plates and robust construction.
• Life Cycle: Deep cycle batteries typically offer more cycles (300–1,000+ cycles) compared to starting batteries (about 50–100 cycles in deep discharge scenarios).

Choosing the Right Battery for Your Golf Cart

For gas-powered carts, a high-quality starting battery is essential to ensure reliable engine starts. For electric golf cart models, deep cycle batteries are the preferred choice, providing the consistent power needed for several hours of driving on a single charge.

Maintenance Tips for Both Battery Types

• Regular Charging: Charge batteries promptly after use to prevent sulfation in lead-acid cells.
• Clean Terminals: Keep battery terminals clean and tight to ensure good connections.
• Check Water Levels: For flooded lead-acid batteries, maintain proper electrolyte levels with distilled water.
• Use Appropriate Chargers: Match chargers to battery type—use smart chargers with multi-stage charging profiles.
• Store Properly: In cold climates, store batteries in a temperature-controlled area to avoid freezing and capacity loss.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between starting batteries and deep cycle batteries helps you select the right solution for your needs. Whether you’re cranking an engine or powering an electric golf cart for hours, choosing and maintaining the correct battery type ensures optimal performance and longevity.