Mixing battery types

**wbowner** · 22nd March 2018, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Ferret

As said earlier, within the GAP tool's routines, there are 2 settings related to the battery which can be changed

1) Within the "service / test" menu there is a "Battery Replacement" procedure with should be done when the battery is replaced. This is the so called BMS reset you have referred to. What happens if you don't do it? Probably very little is my guess - the BMS I imagine would just adapt to the new battery characteristics (state of charge, whatever) more slowly rather than very quickly via a reset.

2) Within the "car configuration file" menu there is the ability to specify the "Battery Type". A list of potential battery capacity, and CCA ratings is available to be selected based on what is actually installed (ie 90 Ah, 950 CCA or 90Ah, 800CCA etc). Nowhere does it allow you to select a specific type of battery construction - eg Calcium, AGM or whatever etc.

If it does not / can not distinguish between a Calcium or an AGM battery in any of its configuration settings then I doubt it matters that much to the charge management system.

The preference for AGM batteries in these vehicles is more related to driving patterns. People who use them daily for short trips benefit from AGM batteries because they recharge faster. People who use them daily for longer trips where battery charge time is less important probably don't benefit as much from an AGM battery. That's my understanding of it.

Thanks for that.

I use my car in both scenarios. When traveling I tend t do big trips. When at home I do lots of smaller ones.

the reason I was told the AGM were not the best is that they don’t handle the heat as well.

i have not charged the new battery as I am hoping to replace it with an AGM but I have driven the car and it was charging at around 14.5. The trouble is my AGM aux was also being charged at this higher rate. I can t remember what it was doing before.

the batteries has dropped to 12.4 over night.
hopefully I can get it changed asap

richard

**drivesafe** · 22nd March 2018, 08:56 AM

Hi Richard and the Optima can safely handle 15.0v while driving and the same while charging, so you will have no problems there.

The Calcium/Calcium cranking battery can handle voltages up to 15.5v for short periods of time and constant ( alternator ) voltage of 14.7v.

Again, no problems with your 14.5v alternator voltage.

No matter how long your periodical LONG trip is, all the short trips will effect both batteries if these trips are continually under 15 minutes.

If this is your driving patten then, no regardless of what type of cranking battery you have, your are going to need to periodically use a battery charger to keep your batteries in good nick.

**wbowner** · 22nd March 2018, 09:14 AM

Tim
Around town trips are often 20-30 minutes and less
The CCA in new battery I have is 810 which will work but is lower than recommended I believe

I think AGM is better for me. I hope they will change it. About to ring them.
I do not know if they did the bms reset either

I do charge regularly

Richard

**wbowner** · 22nd March 2018, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by wbowner

Tim
Around town trips are often 20-30 minutes and less
The CCA in new battery I have is 810 which will work but is lower than recommended I believe

I think AGM is better for me. I hope they will change it. About to ring them.
I do not know if they did the bms reset either

I do charge regularly

Richard

Just to add the BMS has not been reset. Not sure what battery they are replacing it with yet but will be an Exide.

i think the one I have is ok, otherwise I am sure they would not have put it in but LR seem to be recommending AGM and the fact I have an AGM aux battery makes it all a bit more simpler, not having to worry about mixing the types.

Richard

DiscoMick · 22nd March 2018, 10:01 AM

Calcium is an AGM and 14.5 charge should be fine for it, so I don't see why you want to change it. The calcium will make it charge faster than another type of AGM, so it should be better for short trips.

**wbowner** · 22nd March 2018, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Calcium is an AGM and 14.5 charge should be fine for it, so I don't see why you want to change it. The calcium will make it charge faster than another type of AGM, so it should be better for short trips.

There is no mention of AGM on the battery or it’s info on exide we. Site.

may be my lack of knowledge.

Richard

DiscoMick · 22nd March 2018, 10:27 AM

It looks like a good battery. Used by Mercedes and BMW.

DIN88MF

DIN88MF BATTERY

**drivesafe** · 22nd March 2018, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Calcium is an AGM and 14.5 charge should be fine for it, so I don't see why you want to change it. The calcium will make it charge faster than another type of AGM, so it should be better for short trips.

Hi Mick, Calcium/Calcium batteries are the most advanced version of Wet Cell battery technology and will take a lot more harsh treatment than most AGMs will.

And while Calcium/Calcium batteries charge faster then conventional Wet Cell batteries, new AGM cranking batteries will charge faster than Calcium/Calcium batteries or conventional AGMs.

But regardless of what type of cranking battery is used, it all still comes back to drive times, as to whether a battery will charge properly!

**WALRDS** · 22nd March 2018, 10:21 PM

Hey guys just going through the same thing right now the Rover specialist installed a cal/cal after i asked for an AGM. they have agreed to refund the for the battery once i get a replacement, has any one used the Century DIN85LH AGM? just feels rude making them wait a week for a varta to get delivered.CCA @ -18c:850
RC @25c:160
AH:95

DiscoMick · 23rd March 2018, 07:07 PM

Why don't you want a calcium? They charge faster than AGMs so that's good for shorter trips.

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