Thread: Secondary Batteries

Originally Posted by garrycol

Why make a battery for automotive use that cannot be fully charged in the car.

Hi Garry, and one would, from the info about these C/C batteries, come to that conclusion, I did!

When I first started looking into these batteries, I quickly ( and wrongly ) jumped to the conclusion that these batteries were going to be a problem, particularly in my case with the way my isolators would need to work with them.

The early info, from third party sources, ( so I should have known better then to put much credence in the info ) was that these batteries will never fully charge when using an alternator, but the suggestions were that 80% was the maximum you could get them too. NOT TRUE

Also, C/C batteries do not like being deep cycled and taking them below 75% SoC would damage them. ALSO NOT TRUE.

The main reason nearly every flooded wet cell ( FWC ) battery manufacture has changed to, is in the process of charging to or is planning on changing to Calcium/Calcium batteries is the cost factor.

Calcium/Calcium are MUCH cheaper to make than conventional FWC batteries, but it’s not quite that straightforward.

They are easier and safer to manufacture then FWCs but they also have numerous user advantages over FWCs.

They will charge slightly faster, will gas only 1/3 as much, will self discharge much slower and they tend to have a longer operating life span.

Because of the continuing advances being made in Calcium/Calcium battery technology, I don’t think it will be too long before these batteries will have many of the advantages normally only accredited to AGM batteries and I can see them replacing AGM in most areas and for a much lower price.

Anyway, that’s my 2 cents worth.

I have also just got a Supercharge Allrounder ( MRV70) as a replacement second battery. They are currently on special at Autobarn at $229.

These are 105AH deep cycle and 750 CCA (or thereabouts ) cranking. So seem a good all purpose unit by the specs anyway. They have both the large terminals for cranking cables and small ones for accessories, which I have never seen on a battery before.

Charging just on the run to work and back, 1.5 hours a day, through a Traxide SC40 at between 13.9 and 14.6 terminal volts it seems fine.

Time will tell.