>A "Marine" battery doesn't necessarily have to be a deep cycle
>battery--it can be for marine use and just be an engine starter battery,
>in which case no, it isn't deep cycle.
>In general terms a "Marine" battery is the house battery, which is the
>battery for the house, or cabin accessories, which usually is a deep
>cycle unit.

>A good example is an electric trolling moter battery which is drained
>slowly for a long  time, which is a Marine deep cycle battery. Most
>boater's , or guys with camper's have more than one battery in their
>vehicles.
>One for starting which has a short duration big cold cranking amps, and a
>deep cycle for a slow, long drain, to run the house accessories.

>The amp hours does not depend on what type of battery it is, it simply
>depends on how the battery is rated--

>And if it was possible to mount two big amp six volt batteries into a
>Vanagon, the
>duration of the crankig time would be increased--this is why Semi's use 4
>six volt batteries in series, rather than two 12 volt--more cranking
>duration----

">Its a roaring battle in a lot of other groups,"

I rest my case :-)

And to keep it going, I would only use a deep cycle battery to start my
car in an emergency. They are not constructed to put out the high rate of
amperes required to start a car without damaging the plates. Semi's don't
use deep cycle batteries to start their engines.

Just the fact that the name "marine battery" applies to several varieties
of battery types is the reason I pointed out to be careful of what battery
is chosen.

Next? :)

Regards,

John