Calcium Battery Question

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 15, 2004 at 09:26

ThreadID: 15572 Views:6599 Replies:2 FollowUps:2

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drivesafe

Hi folks.
Just a question relating to the use of Calcium type batteries and operating purposes that would specifically require the use of a Calcium battery because of it’s special properties.
They are used in the mining industry ( underground ) because of there non gassing property and in marine use for the same reason and in 4WDs where an auxiliary battery has to be installed inside the cab because of space constraints under the bonnet again the Calcium was used because of there non gassing property.
I’ve also seen them used under the bonnet where size limitations were a problem.
I’ve even seen them installed on there side under some models of discovery because there was a perfect location that these batteries fitted into.
But I was interested to here of other uses specific to these batteries.
Regards.

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Reply By: R.E.P.C.O. - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 10:56

Reply By: -OzyGuy- - Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 09:23

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 09:23

Drivesafe,
you possibly are referring to Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM) batteries as they are used extencively in the areas you have stated.

They can be laid down on their side or upside down.

The only realy special quality of Calcium batteries is they will accept extra power, as in Solar Panel recharging or high power non trickle charge Auto Chargers with out too many hassles.

AnswerID: 72895

Follow Up By: drivesafe - Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 16:30

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 16:30

Thanks OzyGuy, I don’t work with anything other than standard cranking batteries and deep cycle batteries, thats why I posted the question, out of my ignorance about other types of batteries that are in use.
And as you can see I have lots to learn about these other batteries and if you could shed some more info on them I would be greatly appreciative. Having additional information available to one’s customers, not only helps the customer but helps one keep one’s customers.
The vast majority of my customer will most likely never use any thing other than standard cranking batteries and deep cycle batteries so I have to date gone on what others have told me with the exemption of the price difference.
I am yet to see a deep cycle battery replaced economically by any other battery, to be used in the same situation as the deep cycle batteries are designed to do.
Thanks again for your posting, I learn some new ever day.
Regards

FollowupID: 333091

Follow Up By: -OzyGuy- - Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004 at 05:29

Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004 at 05:29

DriveSafe,
Deep Cycle batteries are a 'cheaper' as in less expencive, form of traction battery or 'storage' battery where the power is taken out slowly over a long period of time, then the battery is recharged, whereas the Cranking battery is designed to allow a quick power discharge to start the engine, then be recharged.

The thinner the lead/alloy plates the quicker the battery recharges, a distinct dis-advantage to DC batteries as their plates are much thicker, giving them the capacity to be discharged over a longer time.

That is a distinct advantage with the AGM batteries as they have very thin plates and many more of them, giving them very quick recharge times, and also high Cranking amps as they have far more surface area, however they have very low Amp hour capacity by comparison.
They are an excellent Cranking battery and if you can recharge them often (daily) they are a good replacement for a DC battery, if it does not get recharged often you quickly run out of power when you only have 55 to 75 A/H available and at about $400 each it does not make any sence to me to use them when you are camped in the one place for more than a few days.

Some people use 'Heavy Duty' cranking batteries because they are cheap and they start their vehicle often when on holidays, either going to shops or into town or for a drive to see the local sites, however if they went somewhere and never started their vehicle for a week they would be without power to the fridge.

That is where the calcium battery and solar panel combination wins hands down, it is totally dependant on your own idea of a holiday, I prefer to go fishing or diving and never worry about battery power, so I use calcium batteries and a solar panel.

You can't have too much power (Amp Hours)

FollowupID: 333210