choice of batteries

[mcharlish]

Hi everyone. <br>
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A long time since I posted but I just realised the forum is working once again. <br>
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I hope to send some info and pictures re the Western Australia RAC Centenary Rally in which my Sprint will be participating. Just to prove something does happen in WA. Can someone advise who to send to for inclusion in the magazine?<br>
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But I digress. Having seen the stuff about battery availability in the latest mag I just wanted to advise that my battery recently failed and I have successfully fitted an Optima Yellow Top.<br>
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This is a deep cycle battery that is non-spillable and can theoretically be mounted any way up. The other huge benefit for an occasional user like me is that not only will it tolerate more deep cycle discharges but it also only self-discharges very slowly. So you can go back to the car after ages and it should still start.<br>
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The technology involved is a spiral-wound cell structure where the electrolyte is held in a fibre-glass matting. Hence non spillable.<br>
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Early days but very very good so far. It's also a 500CCA battery so no problem cranking at all. And it fits even with deep K&Ns in place.<br>
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rgds, Mark<br>
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[dollyboy]

those batteries are fine bits of kit.<br>
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optima also do a red top, orange top and blue top, with slightly different discharge characteristics.<br>
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exide also make a similar equivalent, but just one type as far as I know.<br>
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lots of CCA's from a nice compact box. the spiral shaped cathodes offer a large surface area contact with the electrolyte, giving the ability to deliver lots of current. The reverse of this principle means they will also absorb much more current than more common flat plates, so in real terms, you can charge them much more quickly with high output chargers. they're also more robust due to this design, i.e. they bounce better!<br>
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fibre glass matting to absorb and hold the electrolyte, more commonly known as AGM technology. This slows sulphation, meaning longer battery shelf life, longer cyclic life and better recovery ability from deep discharges.<br>
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very commonly used in big ICE installs due to high burst current delivery, i.e. good performance for big amps.<br>
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I'd guess-timate under normal use, providing alternator regulator working normally and battery not subjected to prolonged temperatures of less than -10 or +40 degrees C, life expectancy as a car starter battery, 8years +.<br>
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so there.<br>
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very good value for money, good choice.<br>
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[dollyboy]

OOOOOOOH Check me out! I'm just living breathing library of crap pointless electrical knowledge...<br>
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anyone who fancies a nice optima battery, check this out:<br>
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<!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/ ... <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br>
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They're made by Johnsson Controls and imported into the UK from the US by 'Boyriven Ltd' in Andover. I could probably get an agency for these things through work, but I'd suggest looking for them via 'in-car' dealers, or via the inter-web. It's unlikely your local Kwik Fit will have them on the shelf!<br>
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