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Marine Batteries For
British Cars? Since ordinary flooded batteries are likely to be damaged if discharged from leaving ones lights on, or from storage or lack of daily use why don�t we use batteries that are designed to be deeply discharged repeatedly without damage? Why don�t we use deep cycle (marine) batteries in our British cars? After all, how many of us need extremely high cold cranking amps to start their classic auto in below zero weather? It is the ability to cycle repeatedly that differentiates deep cycle batteries from automotive starting batteries, which cannot withstand more than a few deep discharges before premature wear out. And a deep cycle battery will not be damaged by starting loads. Today there are even more advanced technology deep cycle batteries that cannot leak if the case is cracked, do not exhaust explosive hydrogen fumes, are vibration resistant and maintenance free, recharge twice as fast, are completely sealed and never need water and have corrosion-free terminals. And finally, why not use a battery, in a British car, that is more resilient to both hot and cold temperature extremes and has a low-current discharge rate in storage that is 3 to 10 times less per month than a regular flooded battery has? Gel cell batteries will do most of the above and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries will do all of the above, and then some. For example, an AGM battery can be installed at any angle, except upside down. It can also be completely submerged without damage, which would likely prevent battery problems resulting from driving on a flooded road or in a severe rainstorm. AGM batteries also have greater starting power and greater charge acceptance than other types of deep cycle batteries. AGM batteries were originally designed in the 1980�s when the military requested a sealed battery for its aircraft that could take a lot of punishment, need no maintenance, had the ability to emit tremendous amounts of energy and yet would recharge very quickly. They had to work in any position, but on the downside, were unable to be charged on a normal, everyday battery charger. The current generation of AGM batteries can be charged on a standard charger, won�t be damaged by your auto�s charging system and are available for purchase at tire and auto parts stores. The cost is higher but they are 7-year batteries and appear to be far superior in all respects that are not used on a daily basis throughout the year. One thing I discovered was that the stores didn�t always know the terminology and you may get a blank stare if you ask for an AGM type battery. But I did find them at Les Schwab Tires and NAPA Auto Parts. Go into a store of your choice and ask to look at their 7-year batteries that look like 6 cylinders put together. Specifically, they are referred to as �spiral-wound absorbed glass mat� batteries. And yes, they are also available in a �starting battery� version at less cost than the deep cycle marine version. Although I don�t have stock in any company that manufactures or sells batteries, the technology has always interested me. I am curious to know if anyone has ever used a deep cycle marine battery, of any type in their automobile. Have you ever thought about it? Perhaps this will start an interesting discussion among us. Just thought I�d ask. And to answer the obvious question, no, I have never used a deep cycle battery in an automobile. However, as a result of my research, the next new battery purchased for my MG Midget will be an AGM type beep cycle marine battery. Happy Motoring, |
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