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Thread ID: 138543	2014-12-15 06:41:00	Calcium car battery problems	rny (6943)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1390275	2014-12-18 19:55:00	If tripe charges car batteries you may be onto something. Anyway if you drive your car regularly for more than 10 mins with a conventional lead acid battery it shouldn't shorten it's life at all, this need to do a charge on the new calcium batteries makes them sound like a step backwards to me. When you read the advertising blurb they supposedly are better and last longer, it really doesn't sound like it to me. What shortens the life of a normal old lead acid battery is; Discharging (flattening) too far - leaving your lights on can kill a battery permanently Leaving it partially charged for long periods - the lead plates can sulfate so if storing long term the battery should be charged occasionally. Overcharging, shouldn't happen but it's not a good thing. Topping up the elctrolyte with tap water - not an issue with the sealed batteries.	dugimodo (138)
1390276	2014-12-18 22:53:00	In the old days the plate separators were made of wood, it was essential to use distilled water to prevent the wood from rotting. For the past 40 years the separators have been made of plastic. Clean tap water is far better than no water. You can also collect rain water, or use the water from a dehumidifier.	mzee (3324)
1390277	2014-12-19 00:21:00	I don't know anything about wooden separators mzee but the minerals it tap water can cause problems with the electrolyte and/or coat the lead plates. It's pretty minor and most of the time you will probably get away with using tap water but if it's not urgent you should try to use distilled water or rain water.	dugimodo (138)
1390278	2014-12-19 10:35:00	Yep you need to buy a Calcium charger, good one is CTEK Swedish design communist chinese made 5A $150 from Appco/Repco. They have a recondition cycle you should give the battery this recon cycle every 12 months. Thanks Prefect, I'll check that out.	Winston001 (3612)
1390279	2015-01-25 09:28:00	Bought a 5 stage battery charger from Repco for $130, down from $220 on their New Year sale. Seems to work in the sense the various lights go on and off at stages of desulphation, testing, and bulk charging. I really don't know that it is any better than a Hayes charger I bought 25 years ago but it does challenge calcium batteries to step up to the mark. Still, I've recovered three dumped batteries (from the recycling place) in the last month so its been worth having. People dump batteries out of frustration when their boat/4wd/caravan won't work. One I found was only 2 months old but usually they are around 4 years. Tip the battery up, shake it around (careful for sulphuric acid leaking) check and top up the fluid with clean water, then charge.	Winston001 (3612)
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