Starting or "Cranking" Batteries
This type of RV battery is designed with several thin plates, maximizing the amount of surface area exposed to the electrolyte solution. This design allows the battery to give up a large amount of power in a short period of time and also allows it to be recharged rapidly at a heavy rate. 15 to 30 deep cycles before it needs replacing.

"Cranking" a large V-8 engine requires this kind of power. It is, however, a very poor choice when used as a 'house' or 'domestic' battery as it can only withstand 15 to 30 deep cycles before it needs replacing.

True Deep Cycle Battery
These batteries are designed with fewer and thicker plates than their Cranking counterparts. This
battery design allows a small amount of power to be used over a long period of time and requires a slow to moderate recharge rate.

These are the batteries to be used in 'house' or 'domestic' applications as they can withstand 700 to 800 deep cycles (or more depending on size and type) before they need replacing.

RV/Marine "Deep Cycle" Batteries
These batteries are basically a 'hybrid' between a Cranking battery and a True Deep Cycle battery. They were originally designed for the marine industry where there was only one battery used for both cranking the engine and for running the lights and electronics when the boat was at anchor.

Consequently, a little of each type of battery was combined to meet that need. This type of battery can withstand around 300 to 400 deep cycles before they need replacing. They are adequate as 'house' or 'domestic' batteries but are not nearly as good or long lived as True Deep Cycle types. Modern motorhomes have seperate battery banks now, one for 'cranking' and one for 'domestic' use, making this battery nealy obsolete.

What is a Battery Deep Cycle?
Deep cycling your battery is when you start out with a fully charged battery, use 80% of its rated capacity, and then fully recharge it. Depending on the type, all batteries have a certain amount of deep cycles they can withstand before they will need to be replaced.

Other popular types of battery include guage 2 rv batteries and the american hunter feeder rv battery.