[MorTech]

Consider the lead-acid battery in your automobile. You start the car and drive at least 10 minutes before shutting off almost all the time. You discharge the battery with the starter for 5 seconds and then the alternator kicks in and charges your battery full for the next 10 minutes. Your car battery should last about 6-7 years under these conditions if you keep the car out of the sun (Summer heat diminishes the battery) and use your car everyday to keep charge level at 100%. This charge cycle is no different than driving your fully charged golf cart one mile to the mailbox and then plugging in when you get home. I do this a few times a week (1.2 miles round trip to my mailbox) and my charger runs for maybe 15 minutes after I plug in. If you drive your automobile only a couple times a month, your battery will be in a constant state of discharge (maybe 80%) due to background electronics draw and the natural self-discharge of the battery. Under these conditions you will find your automobile battery lasting only about 3-4 years. It is critical for lead-acid battery longevity to keep them fully charged.