|
Batteries that sit in a discharged or partially discharged condition get a hard coating on the plates (sulfate) that makes it harder for the lead to take a charge. Equalization is a high charge voltage that is supposed to break down the sulfate coating. It's also my understanding that a deep cycle battery does need to be deeply cycled to reach its full capacity of storing and giving off amps. There are several battery authorities on this forum and SSCA forum. I have found Bill Trafors' posts most helpful when I've had questions.
If you can get to a dock now and then and put a fancy charger on them you maybe able to get another season or two out of them unless you go with a fancy solar setup.
By the way, I kept a boat on a mooring for several years and I ate up batteries too.
|