The best way to get the longest life from Batteries is not to use them and just keep them on a Float Charge for their entire life. You can get over 20 years of service this way. However we want to use our power don't we, and therefore we want to use the battery. Here are some quick tips on how to extend your battery life . . .
The less you can drain the battery before you recharge it the better
Don't leave your battery discharged for a long time, recharge as soon as possible
Keep the voltage above 12.2 volts as much as possible to avoid Sulfation
Voltage below 10.5 volts will cause Hard Sulfation which is hard to reverse
Do an Equalization Charge weekly to Monthly to help remove sulfation and revive the battery
Equalization is a Higher voltage of 15.5 to 16 volts for 2 or 3 hours regularly
Keep the Water level above the plates, Don't let any of the plate dry out
Use only Distilled Water, Minerals in the water will neutralize the acid
Temperature under 75 degrees will reduce charge capacity
Temperature over 75 degrees will decrease battery life
Here is Too Much information about taking care of Batteries, their Construction and Operation.
This Do and Don't battery table summarizes the need to obtain reliable service with long life and advises proper handling of each battery type.
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-21.htm
How lead acid batteries work and what they need without burying you with a bunch of needless technical data. Talks about all types of Batteries
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html
Intended to give everyone a healthy appreciation of how to take care of and work safely around a lead-acid battery bank used for Solar power.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago95.html
From the Trojan Battery Company. This PDF file will focus on how to properly maintain and charge all Trojan lead-acid battery types.
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/pdf.folder/Download%20folder/battery_maint.pdf
Very basic information on battery care. This information is not for gel-cell, ni-cad or alkaline batteries, which will have different maintenance requirements.
http://www.oasismontana.com/batteries.html
Very technical PDF of a 1964 Battery service manual produced by the Association of American Battery Manufacturers. Details Battery construction and operation.
http://www.rebelwolf.com/downloads/BattMan.pdf
On the Trojan Battery Website. This page and the links on the righthand side of the page talk about all forms of Battery Maintenance.
http://www.trojan-battery.com/BatteryMaintenance/BatteryType.aspx
From the OtherPower Website referring to all of the battery basics: Wiring, Safety, Care, Chargers and more. The links are at the bottom of the page.
http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_battery.html
Car and deep cycle battery answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), tips, manufacturer's information, references and hyperlinks are contained on this consumer oriented Web site about car, motorcycle, power sports, truck, boat, marine, recreational vehicle, solar, and other starting and deep cycle applications.
http://www.batteryfaq.org
Even more Links to Battery studies by Sandia National Laboratories. These studies focus on batteries that are used in Renewable Energy Electric Systems.
http://www.sandia.gov/pv/docs/BattIntro.htm
