Hi to the great knowledge base that I have been using, more questions. This is a 2 part question.
My Projecta solar charger is making a electronic sound ( like a video game bom dropping) obviously ment to mean something but the online instructions don't mention any audible warnings anyone got any ideas.
Q2 I have 2X SMFDCM27 Lion batteries, in the online brochure it states that they are calcium/calcium batteries my charger is set to wet but it does have a calcium setting should it be on that setting. Does anyone know these batteries.
Thanks
Warren-Pat_01 said
12:28 AM Dec 10, 2018
Paul,
No I don't know of them other than what the internet tells me. I assume they are in your van - did you put them there? If so, why?
Generally Marine batteries have a smaller "Deep Cycle" capacity than AGMs as they have the "start" facility as well - I've used marine batteries as an aux battery in the car as they are lighter & slightly smaller (80Ah vs normal 100Ah). Most marine batteries are of Gel construction, these days. Calcium batteries are Gel batteries with a calcium compound as the frame material.
You SHOULD use the correct setting on your charger if you have it. Calcium (Gel) batteries, like AGMs have to be taken up to 14.3-14.5v (higher than what a lead-acid battery needs) if you're going to get a good life out of them. See www.energymatters.com.au/components/battery-voltage-discharge/
not so grey nomads said
07:54 AM Dec 10, 2018
I just bought an avan I was under the impression they had AGM batteries but they have these calcium ones, yes I was surprised that that used a battery with a high cold crank ratting, I have also found that it has a electric fridge not a 3 way fridge so that will put a lot more demand on my batter system than I expected.
Thanks for the feed back
T1 Terry said
05:17 PM Dec 11, 2018
Calcium calcium batteries require a higher charging voltage, any where up to 15v for some brands. the advantage is they start from a higher voltage when fully charged so their actual watt hr storage (Wh) is higher than a lead only battery of the same weight. they are really only useful for high current short duration discharges such as starting or winch operation, not really designed for deep cycle use. No doubt the price was better and most people wouldn't know one type of battery from another, so they have probably been getting away with this practice for a while. I have seen this practice from a number of caravan manufacturers and when challenged they all claim It was a mistake" and they replace them with proper deep cycle batteries. Others have arrived at our door for a battery upgrade anyway, so they just roll their eyes and it doesn't seem to surprise them at all.
T1 Terry
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:27 PM Dec 11, 2018
I would suggest to battery charger buyers that you buy ones that are programmable to any charge voltage and that they be set to the exact recommendations of the battery maker.
The charger should also have temperature compensation. That can make a big difference.
Cheers,
Peter
Hi to the great knowledge base that I have been using, more questions. This is a 2 part question.
My Projecta solar charger is making a electronic sound ( like a video game bom dropping) obviously ment to mean something but the online instructions don't mention any audible warnings anyone got any ideas.
Q2 I have 2X SMFDCM27 Lion batteries, in the online brochure it states that they are calcium/calcium batteries my charger is set to wet but it does have a calcium setting should it be on that setting. Does anyone know these batteries.
Thanks
No I don't know of them other than what the internet tells me. I assume they are in your van - did you put them there? If so, why?
Generally Marine batteries have a smaller "Deep Cycle" capacity than AGMs as they have the "start" facility as well - I've used marine batteries as an aux battery in the car as they are lighter & slightly smaller (80Ah vs normal 100Ah). Most marine batteries are of Gel construction, these days. Calcium batteries are Gel batteries with a calcium compound as the frame material.
You SHOULD use the correct setting on your charger if you have it. Calcium (Gel) batteries, like AGMs have to be taken up to 14.3-14.5v (higher than what a lead-acid battery needs) if you're going to get a good life out of them. See www.energymatters.com.au/components/battery-voltage-discharge/
Thanks for the feed back
T1 Terry
The charger should also have temperature compensation. That can make a big difference.
Cheers,
Peter