Tom:

I cannot envision a circumstance that a deep cycle battery would out
perform a standard starting battery in terms of events leading to
catastrophic failure. Battery quality might be the issue, not battery
type.
Any battery will fail (although usually not explode or crack) with
discharge or overcharge abuse. We recommend that our customers be
aware of the battery voltage during both the discharge and the
recharge cycle. A digital voltmeter is vital. You can even get of
that plugs into 12 V outlet and displays the voltage. Auxiliary
batteries can have a tough time as they may be dormant for long
periods of time.

Anyway my point is go for capacity, observe the voltage and don't get
too taken up with technology.

Ian

On 5-Jan-08, at 7:45 PM, tom ring wrote:

> A comment on Optima.  I know my expereince was likely not normal,
> but I bought
> 2 of the car starter battery types, and both failed in less than 6
> months, one
> catastrophically.