Wednesday, Dec 16, 2009 at 18:17
I think I need to start a Fullriver battery thread...
There seems to be a lot of misleading and incorrect statements being made both here and elsewhere.
There are numerous Fullriver models available, but the two common ones are HGL (not HCL) and DC series. HGL is a standby battery which is OK for for light duty cylcic use only. For dedicated Deep-Cycle use, use the "DC" series. None of them are "Hybrids" they are all Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM).
Lead plate thickness is only small part of the picture. Alloy type, casting, bus-bar thickness and welding, etc are all contributing factors to battery life.
No Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery - also known as a Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) battery - regardless of if it has GEL or Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM) should be used under the bonnet without a heat sheild. It is also a VERY GOOD practice for conventional batteries too as they will not lose as much water and generally have a longer life too.
All batteries are subject to thermal runaway. Some types more so than others. A "puffed up" or swollen battery is not thermal runaway, just overheating while on charge (and gas building pressure inside puches the plastic casing outwards). This can be caused by incorrect charging too.
It is also worth noting that the DC100-12 has been phased out and replaced with the new DC105-12 and the The DC115-12B (note the "B" suffix as there is an "A" version which has different dimensions) has been phased out and is now replaced with the new DC120-12B. Both are the same price as the old models.
This is not an advertisment, just a public sharing of information.
Best regards, Dave Petrie (Fullriver Product Manager, Australia & NZ)
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