AGM vs CALCIUM
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 10:45
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REDDOG
Hi guys,
I am about to buy auxilliary battery to use in underbonnet setup on cruiser linked through redarc solenoid battery under bonnet. I will be running a new 60l Engle off this setup for 2 weeks at christmas time. We live in
Brisbane so Temps will be mid 30's (already there now). I am only using alternator for charging so need battery to charge quick. We drive for bout 1 hour per day running round . I have done lots of reading and think an AGM is the way to go. When ringing round to get prices on agms , lots of battery
places say that,
1. Delcor calcium batterys will charge as fast as AGM
2. AGM no good under bonnet
3. Calcium battery should last as long as AGM
It will stay in car permanently setup also.
I can get Delcor calcium 90ah for $150 with 2 year warranty, Where as the best price I could get was $195 for 100 ah Powersonic AGM (this was on special norm $290) but only has 6month warranty , this was standard with most AGMs.
Im no expert so hope someone can help.
If I go AGM shold I buy a LIFELINE $399 American, or would the POWERSONIC $195 Chinese, be ok?
Reply By: ferris - Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 17:21
Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 17:21
Reddog, Have a look back through the archives, you'll see plenty of similar threads. The general consensus is that lead acid batteries (including calcium) are slow to recharge, and AGM's are not designed for the under bonnet heat, but are better at recharging quickly. I've used Delcor, and from flat, they need a full days driving to recharge fully. Have you thought about putting an AGM in the back of the truck?
From my experience, I'd suggest your proposed set up will struggle, and you may need to look at some other way of recharging or running the fridge. On a 35 degree day your fridge (in the back of the car) will be cycling almost continuously, which is a huge drain on any battery. Suggest you look at other options including solar or generator, and have your 2nd battery more as a back up than primary power source.
Whatever type of battery you get, if you continuously cycle them below 50%, they won't last long. If you go the AGM path,
check what type of battery charger you need, as they have different charging characteristics to a normal battery, and choosing the wrong charger may kill the battery very quickly. That's my two bobs worth. Cheers Ferris
AnswerID:
143341
Reply By: vehkis - Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 18:49
Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 18:49
Reddog. i live little south from you and i`m going tru pretty much the same .
i will go and buy before my next,longer than weekend trip, a 130 amp/hr agm with redarc. have talk to this guy at "fridge & solar" in Labrador. haven`t got his ph. no but youll find him in the yellow book or punch his
shop name to google. very helpfull.
Ps. just got back from weekend away at
moreton island. beeeautifull. exept for the y...g ones .and the constabulary from mainland are keenlly checking speed /seatbelts /tyres and the disposable straws are being also used. by the way,
had my waeco 60l ( still hooked direct to the 1 only battery) with me . never missed the beat, and the xxxx was frosty. cheers
AnswerID:
143354
Follow Up By: ferris - Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 19:06
Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 19:06
Just about any battery system will work
well for the weekend, and the good ones 3 or 4 days. But it's the 2nd week that kills battery systems, when the car isn't being run regularly. XXXX is that anything like VB?
FollowupID:
396848
Follow Up By: Spade Newsom - Monday, Dec 12, 2005 at 13:51
Monday, Dec 12, 2005 at 13:51
Have just purchased a 120ah Fullriver AGM for $300 from the
shop mentioned above "fridge and solar". Very pleasant man to deal with and a good price I thought. Would prefer to spend only $150 but cannot buy a battery with a quick recharge for that money.
I am no battery expert but all the research I did, pointed this way and while I read a few advices warning against putting AGM under bonnet and exposing to high heat, actual accounts from punters suggested no problems.
My battery will be on my camper trailer rather than under the bonnet.
You could simply wait another 5 - 10 years for new advanced cell batteries and maybe see 500 a/h the size of a deck of cards for a few hundred dollars.
all the best.
FollowupID:
396956
Reply By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 20:36
Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 at 20:36
Redmutt [could not resist] , I run chineese made "Fullriver" AGM batts under the bonnet of the 80 series turbo diesel , a 80amp hr as a starting batt and a 90 amp hr as the aux [also 3x 80amp hr in the campertrailer] have not had any problems as to recharging from the standard altenator or any so called heat issues ,vehicle can and does sit in full sun with an 80lt waeco and the 15lt engle running for up to 48hrs of the 90amp only ,1.5 / 2 hr drive /idle back to full charge ,,,,,best batt to buy imo is a AGM HGL which is "cross" between a normal agm and a deep cycle batt ,recharges quickly like a starting batt but also has the staying power like a deep cycle,,throw it as many amps as your capable as long as volts only upto 14.3 /14.5 ,,,, they use AGMs in the space shuttles for crying out loud so a temp of an underbonnet 4x4 is childs play.
AnswerID:
143371