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12V
Apr 5, 2010 19:32:42 GMT
Post by Dean on Apr 5, 2010 19:32:42 GMT
Because i might be needed a new 12v battery ive looked on halfords at the 12V batterys. What is the difference between the normal lead acid battery and a calcium battery and which one would be better for racing?
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12V
Apr 5, 2010 20:21:41 GMT
Post by darrenoakley on Apr 5, 2010 20:21:41 GMT
Hi Dean there is some useful info on this website www.mpoweruk.com/leadacid.htm Amazing thing google But dont think you can go far wrong with lead acid. The benefits of the calcium type would not really be much of an advantage to you in terms of charging I wouldn't have thought. The calcium type are longer lasting and pretty much maintenance free though. Unless of course they are the same price and then its just down to AH rating and voltage. ;D
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12V
Apr 5, 2010 20:30:56 GMT
Post by Dave Chamberlain on Apr 5, 2010 20:30:56 GMT
Hi Dean, Take a look here www.battery.co.za/auto/Q&ACalciumRange.htmBasically calcium-lead acid batteries are a slight improvement over old or "normal" lead acid car batteries.. What you should be looking for is a "leisure" battery for track side lipo charging & tyre warmer use.. Normal car batteries are made to supply high current for a very short time (when starting a car!!) leisure batteries are designed to supply smaller currents for long periods of time and to be discharged to almost empty and then recharged with out damage to the battery... The down side is a good leisure battery is not cheep!!
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12V
Apr 5, 2010 20:54:21 GMT
Post by mattsedgley on Apr 5, 2010 20:54:21 GMT
I'll stick my hand up and say I'd be up for a group buy if anyone else is - I could do with another big battery for race meetings!
Matt
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12V
Apr 5, 2010 23:18:26 GMT
Post by paul waters on Apr 5, 2010 23:18:26 GMT
Id be intrested depending on price would a normal car battery last a meet thoufh as im just about to get one as leisure r just to expensive.
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12V
Apr 5, 2010 23:24:37 GMT
Post by mattsedgley on Apr 5, 2010 23:24:37 GMT
I have a 45AH (small ish) car battery and i can flatten that easily before the end of the meeting,
I've got a 95AH one (large large large) and according to my charger i use 60% of it's capacity in an average meeting,
Although being economical with your electric usage helps a great deal!
Matt
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12V
Apr 5, 2010 23:27:41 GMT
Post by paul waters on Apr 5, 2010 23:27:41 GMT
So i need one around 80 ah up then lol ok thanks matt
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12V
Apr 6, 2010 9:46:30 GMT
Post by mattsedgley on Apr 6, 2010 9:46:30 GMT
It's worth pointing out I probably use more power than most, tyre warmers, lipo warmer, two chargers... that adds up to quite a lot of current draw..
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12V
Apr 6, 2010 10:16:17 GMT
Post by Reuben on Apr 6, 2010 10:16:17 GMT
I have a 65Ah car battery that i can run 2 meetings off of with 2 lipos charged before i arrive and tyre warmers.
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12V
Apr 6, 2010 11:25:38 GMT
Post by lesbaldry on Apr 6, 2010 11:25:38 GMT
For those who use a lead acid battery :the worst thing you can do to one is not use it! leaving it charged or in a low state of charge for long periods (month) causes a chemical degradation of the cells, a small discharge followed by trickle charge once a week will keep the cells in good health ...they will last for at least 3 to 4 plus years if treated properly.
Some Gel cell battery's will not re-charge if drained completely.....PLEASE PLEASE be awear of "how to charge CORRECTLY". Any Battery's is a potential bomb
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12V
Apr 6, 2010 11:31:23 GMT
Post by Simon Crabb on Apr 6, 2010 11:31:23 GMT
Charging a lead acid battery correctly is as important as how big the battery is too. A cheap car battery charger might get only 60-70% charge into it, or, alternatively, a cheap one might boil the heck out of it instead... (And a car alternator is rubbish at charging fully too! Bizarrely. Starter batteries need rapid replenishment, but not full replenishment.) A good quality 3 or 4 stage charger is well worth it, they can charge them 95%+. My camper van has 4 lead acid batteries... The normal engine one (a 90Ah), charged only by alternator. Plus in the 'back' there are 2 x 85Ah leisure batteries 1 x 70Ah car starter battery for rc charging. All three are connected in parallel and charged via a Numax 10A 3 stage charger. www.leisurebatteryshop.co.uk/10-Amp-Charger-for-Leisure-BatteriesAdditionally, all three batteries can be isolated and charged independently. So every so often each will be fully charged on it's own - manual balance charging!
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