Maximize the life of your car battery or deep cycle battery

Batteries have a average 3.5 years life limit. After three years of age, a battery starts to fail and very rarely responds to recharging. It is because a battery positive plate self-destructs leaving no plate left to hold enough charge required for starting a vehicle.

The following tips are to maximize the service life of your battery:

Clean battery terminals frequently and keep them dry at all times.
Maintain fluid levels but never over-fill your battery.
Distilled water is recommended for replacing battery fluid.
Recharge a deep cycle battery every day it is used and as soon as possible after each use
Never leave your battery for long periods without being charged.
Never discharge below 10.5 volts (for 12v batteries)
Avoid discharges your deep cycle batteries below 10% because lead dioxide builds up on the positive plates. Discharge a deep cycle battery between 10% Deep of Discharge and 80% Deep of Discharge is a good practice
Use correct battery type for the application. For example, starting battery for starting applications such as car starting, and deep cycle for motive and stationary deep cycle applications.