Calcium Batterys, Better?
Submitted: Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 20:29
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Member - Shane D (QLD)
I'm up for a main battery (Starter, normal vehicle dutys) and was offered a calcium premium battery, It is the same size as the N70 thats there now but has a rated CCA of 750, as opposed to 620 that the N70 has got.
My question is, are they any good? There doesn't seem much price difference, but it packs more punch.
Am I overlooking something?
Oh, its going into my HZJ105 cruiser.
Shane
Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:02
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:02
Stay away from it.
Calcium required higher voltage to fully charge and your alternator does not deliver the required charge.
Rather use a MRV70 which still has the cca you require plus 105 ah
Regards
Derek from ABR
AnswerID:
378074
Follow Up By: viz - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:09
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:09
Derek this conflicts with my experience - see my post. Possibly the best start battery I have ever had in a 4WD - usually they do not last much beyond 4 years.
viz
FollowupID:
645410
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:21
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:21
Hi Viz
The petrol LC100 (Same as
mine) starts easy and the alternator will produce 14.2V cold and tend to stay around 13.8V when hot.
The diesels however will cycle back as far as 13.5V and with an auxiliary battery fitted never allows a calcium starting battery to reach its 14.4V to 14.5V to fully recharge. It will slowly sulfate and loose capacity. It may have some good cranking amps in it but will not have any reserve.
Regards
Derek from ABR
FollowupID:
645412
Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:25
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:25
Derek,
What is the current RRP of the MRV70 I am considering one for the camper.
Cheers Kev
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FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:32
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:32
Hi Kev
$245
Call 1300BATTERY for your nearest store.
FollowupID:
645416
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:42
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:42
See these 2 charts, compare the top one - STD wet cell type car battery with the bottom one CALCIUM battery. Unless your alternator charges at the higher rate like BMW, Landrover, VW etc. Calcium is not recommended.
Regards
Derek from ABR
FollowupID:
645418
Follow Up By: BenDiD - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:56
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:56
Hi Derek,
What type of battery is the MRV70?
FollowupID:
645420
Follow Up By: viz - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:57
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:57
And another bit of info to file away...
Thanks for that
viz
FollowupID:
645421
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 22:14
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 22:14
The MRV range are Hybrid (See the chart below)
They are still wet cell but MFree and have a handy hydrometer built in.
The important thing to look at here is the float voltage. This is what your alternator will produce when hot.
Regards
Derek from ABR
FollowupID:
645424
Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 05:59
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 05:59
Thanks for the great info Derek.
FollowupID:
645448
Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 07:06
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 07:06
Thanks Derek,
I know where a local dealer is I just haven't had time to get in there :))
Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Damian007 - Friday, Aug 21, 2009 at 19:19
Friday, Aug 21, 2009 at 19:19
"The Important thing to remember is this is your Float Voltage when Alternator is hot"?
I'm trying to think when that is the case? In all my training and years of service in the Auto Electrical field, I've never heard that one before.
FollowupID:
647250
Reply By: viz - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:06
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 21:06
I had my battery checked yesterday by my mechanic - he commented that it was a calcium battery (did not know that) and it was quite a good one.
I had had a flat battery recently when someone had left the radio and lights on whilst doing a fitout - had to jump it from the aux. Hence the reason for the checkup, prior to a trip out to
Birdsville at the end of the month.
Battery is about 6 years old and when tested by the mechanic it showed 650 cranking amps (rated at 720). Mechanic said "bugger". When asked why, he said "can't sell you another one - that one is still good..."
I guess that tells the story - and I am impressed, after 6 years...
Oh BTW - Cruiser 105 with 4.5 petrol
viz
AnswerID:
378077
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 22:01
Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 22:01
Don't confuse Calcium (Calcium on one plate only) Batteries with Calcium-Calcium (Calcium on both plates) Batteries.
It's the Ca-Ca Batteries which have the need for a higher voltage.
It's safest to always check with teh Manufacturers Specification for the charging voltage for the exact battery you have.
AnswerID:
378086
Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 00:39
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 00:39
My Delkor Calcium batteries only lasted 6 years :) :) :)
They were only replaced because I was worried that they may pack up on me in the bush, they were both still working when I replaced them.
I would only use a quality brand name battery that can have a warranty claim honoured anywhere in Australia.
Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID:
378100
Follow Up By: BenDiD - Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 21:33
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 21:33
Hi Mainey,
Did you just let the vehicle do the re-charge or did you do anything extra like connecting them to a ctek charger from time to time?
cheers
Ben
FollowupID:
645550
Follow Up By: BenDiD - Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 21:55
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 21:55
Mate, just had a look at your profile - all questions now answered!
cheers
Ben
FollowupID:
645553
Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 06:01
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 06:01
Thanks for all the good replies,
AnswerID:
378104