Calcium Batteries

I replaced my calcium Delkor DC27 (recently used as a Cranking battery) on the weekend, it was over 6yo so is getting beyond what could be asked of a reliable battery this winter holiday, still starts the diesel.
(anyone local want it cost-gratis ?)

I replaced it with a genuine 670cca Cranking battery
(price not relevant)

Mainey . . .

Both were charged with Ctek charger and maintained before use, and also when they had Problems.

conventional charger got it to a charge but did not test well under load sent it with the battery rep (they use a pulse charging system and hey presto fully charged battery that loaded well, and still going) i'm happy , and not going to buy pulse type charger . going to try and keep battery within charging parameters

Phil,
You should explain 'why' they won't charge well in older vehicles...
Saves some questions later

Mainey . . .

Mainey,
I'm no expert on Calcium batteries.
But as I understand it, the Ca-Ca wet cell batteries require a different algorithm to normal lead acid batteries. Can look at the charts on battery faq.

I learnt about this last year, when listening to a talk by the RAA's battery guru at a 4wd club meeting. My take home message was to give them a miss, unless your vehicle's charging system is designed for them, in which case, they are good technology.

A phone call to Redarc's technical people may give you a better explanation. Their latest chargers have a special algorithm just for Ca-Ca.
http://www.redarc.com.au/news/SmartCharge.pdf
http://www.redarc.com.au/news/Autumn07.pdf

The experience of many people on this thread (shorter than expected life) is common.

Phil,
yes, some are shorter, BUT some are definitely much longer...

My own Delkor is a Calcium Deep Cycle 80ah battery (DC27) it had previously done 4½ years running my (power hungry) fridge/freezer and then 18 months as my Cranking battery, when the 700cca Overlander died.

I replaced the Delkor last weekend because I was going to Perth anyway, so I picked up a replacement 670cca Cranking battery.

My battery system is charged @ 14.4v from a 55 Amp Alternator.

However, it has always had a "Megapulse" series (III) battery conditioner attached when used as a Deep Cycle battery
Megapulse battery conditioner
and a series (II) Megapulse battery conditioner when used as my Cranking battery.

If there must be a reason why it's lasted so long the Megapulse is it
as the charging Voltage is about 'normal' ?

The 80ah DC Delcor battery still starts the diesel, but I'm not positive it will last through winter.

Mainey . . .

Drew,
You say "thanks again for the info" then I believe you totally ignore it ???

If the 'salesman' is "NOT REAL CONFIDENT" about any battery on rough roads, he should get some truth into his selling spiel and tell you why (he believes) they actually fail.

I say this because after re-reading your entire thread here, I can't see any technical reason why he is correct.

All replies by *users* of Delkor Calcium batteries on this forum were happy with their battery, and I bet most have been on very rough roads.
Mine has been over the Gibb River Road a few times at speed and also various dirt roads in Kakadu and the Kimberly's as well, after 6 years you would expect it to be dead, hope your Lead Acid lasts that long.

Mainey . . .

drewab, not questioning your decision, it's right for you which is all that matters. But for the benefit of the forum, in the 4 years on my Ca Delkor, my rig has been over the roughest roads in Australia. Go figure?

OT

In 30years of desert travels in convoys of many vehicles, often on badly corrugated roads, I can only remember 2 battery failures - both on the same trip in 2005 - 40degree heat and bad corrugations. Hate to say it, but both were calcium batteries - one a 3year old Delkor.