Sure, you can use Marine Starting batteries or even Deep cycle batteries. Many serious off roaders use two batteries. One starting battery and one deep cycle to run the winch. A starting battery is designed to provide a lot of current for a very short time. The worst thing you can do to it is completely discharge it. Even loosing half of it's charge will shorten it's life considerably. A deep cycle battery is designed so it can be DEEPLY discharged many times. Such as might happen when a Jeeper does a lot of winching. I know several people that use the Deep cycle Yellow top Optimas in their Jeeps. BigJims method of battery buying and usage is fine. But if you want a Deep cycle, spill proof, vibration resistant battery with a good rep. among offroaders, the Optima yellow top is a good choice. If you don't feel the need for a Deep cycle Battery but still want one that can take a beating, is spill proof, and "trail rated" so to speak, (good rep with off roaders) The Red top is a good choice. If you feel they are too expensive, by all means get what you can afford. BigJim gives some sensible advise, while the Walmart Batteries may not be the best they are probably good enough for most of us.
Here is a link that shows a list of battery manufactures and in many cases different brand names they are sold under. It may be of intrest to someone. You'll see if you look that the same S. Korean co. that makes Some of Walmart's Everstarts, makes some of Sears Diehards, some of Pep boys, Oreilley's etc.
web page
