--- title: What You Need to Know About Depth of Discharge description: DOD has a greater impact on a battery's lifespan and performance than you may think. Here's what you need to know about battery depth of discharge. image: https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/101-1.png --- [![logo-2](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/2020%20IMAGES/LP%20Images/IMG/homepage-template/logo-2.png)logo-2 ](https://www.crownbattery.com) Menu - [Motive Power](https://www.crownbattery.com/ind-motive-power) - [Electric Forklifts & Pallet Jacks](https://www.crownbattery.com/electric-forklifts-pallet-trucks) - [Industrial Charging Systems](https://www.crownbattery.com/industrial-charging-systems) - [Electric Mining Machinery](https://www.crownbattery.com/electric-mining-machinery) - [Automated Guided Vehicles](https://www.crownbattery.com/automated-guided-vehicles) - [Railroad & Stationary Generator Systems](https://www.crownbattery.com/railroad-stationary-generator-systems) ![Nav-Image-Industrial](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Nav-Image-Industrial.jpg) #### Motive Power Batteries From industrial to renewable energy, our batteries deliver the power you need—built to last, engineered for performance. - [Transportation](https://www.crownbattery.com/crown-battery-sli) - [Material Handling](https://www.crownbattery.com/material-handling-battery) - [Golf, Utility & LSEV](https://www.crownbattery.com/golf-utility-lsev) - [Trucking, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, Transit & First Response](https://www.crownbattery.com/trucking-heavy-equipment-agriculture-transit-first-response) - [Automotive Aftermarket](https://www.crownbattery.com/automotive-aftermarket) - [Rental Equipment, MEWPS & Traffic Management](https://www.crownbattery.com/rental-equipment-mewps-traffic-management) - [Floor Care & Cleaning Equipment](https://www.crownbattery.com/floor-care-cleaning-equipment) - [Marine/Recreational Watercraft](https://www.crownbattery.com/marine-recreational-watercraft) - [Renewable Energy Storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/renewable-energy-storage) - [Power Management](https://www.crownbattery.com/power-management) ![Nav-Image-SLI](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Nav-Image-SLI.jpg) #### Transportation | Energy Storage Batteries Powering your vehicle with durable, high-performance SLI batteries built for reliability and longevity. - [Power.Match.](https://www.crownbattery.com/power-match) - Resources - [Resources - Motive Power ](https://www.crownbattery.com/resources-motive-power) - [Resources - Transportation & Energy Storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/resources-transportation-energy) - [Blog](https://www.crownbattery.com/news) - [Webinars](https://www.crownbattery.com/webinars) - [Events](https://www.crownbattery.com/events) - [Glossary of Terms](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms) ![Transportation-SAFTEY-FIRST](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Transportation-SAFTEY-FIRST.jpg) #### Explore Our Power & Energy Resources Access expert insights, industry guides, and educational resources to power your success. - [Find a Dealer](https://www.crownbattery.com/how-to-buy) - About Us - [About Us](https://www.crownbattery.com/about-us) - [Quality](https://www.crownbattery.com/quality) - [Sustainability](https://www.crownbattery.com/sustainability) - [Safety](https://www.crownbattery.com/safety) - [Careers](https://www.crownbattery.com/employment) ![crown-world-smal-min](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/crown-world-smal-min.jpg) #### Get to Know Crown Battery Learn about our legacy, commitment to innovation, and the power behind our solutions. 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Following best practices for [battery maintenance](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/5-steps-to-forklift-battery-maintenance) and avoiding [bad habits](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/what-kills-battery-life) can ensure a long and useful life for a battery. Battery DOD has a greater impact on a battery than you may think. Here's what you need to know about battery depth of discharge:   ## **What is Depth of Discharge?** Depth of Discharge (DOD) refers to how much energy is cycled into and out of the battery on a given cycle. It's expressed as a percentage of the total capacity of the battery. For those new the industry, DOD sounds like it may be a difficult topic to understand, but  it's actually simple. For instance, a battery that has been drained 30% has a 30% DOD, and 70% of its capacity remains. But how does DOD affect your battery's performance? Keep reading to learn more.   ## **Avoid Fully discharging your battery** The more frequently a battery is charged and discharged, the shorter its lifespan will be. Discharging a battery entirely, dramatically shortens the useful life of the battery. Which is why all batteries need extra power reserves for safety and near-empty batteries can’t provide enough. Some days, you’ll use more electricity, because of heavier loads, higher temperatures, etc. Or [solar ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/solar-powered-deep-cycle-rv-battery)or [wind](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/diy-maintenance-for-off-grid-living) systems won’t produce enough energy.   ## **Keep batteries above 20% storage** When batteries have less than 20% [storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/living-the-dream-net-zero-energy-storage) remaining, you can run out of electricity. That could mean no power for HVAC loads, inadequate power for large appliances, even downtime for manufacturing and shipping operations.   ## **High DOD can also shorten battery life** A high rate of battery discharge happens when a battery releases a high amount of energy in a given time. Some batteries do this as a result of quality deformation, while others are just designed this way. Deep discharging can drastically [shorten battery life](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/how-to-extend-the-life-of-your-battery) -- and that means you’ll pay for more for energy storage.   ## **To good to be true dod rates** Beware of companies that promise 80% - 100% DOD rates . This isn’t just [dangerous](https://www.crownbattery.com/safety-first) for your system’s performance and longevity —it’s also a common sales ploy to sell you an undersized system (and make the price, for less storage, seem less overpriced).   ## **Protect yourself ** Size batteries for no more than 50% DOD — and comparison shop based on that number. You need extra energy reserves, no matter which [battery technology](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/which-battery-technology-will-win-the-storage-race) or company you select. Make sure you get the system you need and deserve.   ## **What if my current system drops below 50% DOD often?** Installing an extra battery usually helps. Depending on your installation, a backup generator can also ensure you have power during extended deep discharging. ## Recommend Posts [![5 Strategies that Boost Lead-Acid Battery Life](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Images/2024/5%20Strategies%20that%20Boost%20Lead-Acid%20Battery%20Life%20%281%29.png) ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/5-strategies-that-boost-lead-acid-battery-life) ##### [5 Strategies that Boost Lead-Acid Battery Life](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/5-strategies-that-boost-lead-acid-battery-life) When your lead-acid batteries last longer, you save time and money – and avoid headaches. Today's ... [ READ MORE ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/5-strategies-that-boost-lead-acid-battery-life) [![How to Install 6 Volt Golf Cart Batteries](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/How-to-Install-6-Volt-Golf-Cart-Batteries-v2-2.jpg) ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/how-to-install-6-volt-golf-cart-batteries) ##### [How to Install 6 Volt Golf Cart Batteries](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/how-to-install-6-volt-golf-cart-batteries) Battery powered electric golf carts deliver a reliable and cost-effective solution for moving ... [ READ MORE ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/how-to-install-6-volt-golf-cart-batteries) [![Battery Care](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Capture.jpg) ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/battery-maintenance-safety-basics) ##### [How to Safely Care for Your Battery](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/battery-maintenance-safety-basics) The right battery maintenance can significantly extend your battery life – and save you from costly ... 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