Walt wrote:
Another way to extend battery life is to do a deep discharge, and initially rapid re-charge, followed by a trickle charge.
Only do this if you know the characteristics of the type of battery you have, Deep cycle, starting, ect. If one discharges below critical voltage, you can do permanent non-reversible damage.
I have friends that work at our local Interstate battery dealer, they have passed on all the do's and don'ts for long battery life.
#1 easiest thing to do, with a trickle charger, top off once a month. When they get customers to follow recommendations, these customers see 10 plus, years of service out of there batteries. Most of the battery using population is too lazy to do this simple task, and thats why they sell so many batteries!
Of course there are many things one must do to properly maintain the battery, proper acid level at all times, good connections when in use, ect.....
Hope this helps some
I am on year 8 with RV/marine battery for my 5th wheel camp trailer, Boat got new batteries 3 years ago and going strong.