Sealed Calcium Batteries...

[firebug]

The Gemi's battery is getting a little low on charge as the little indicator is starting to show a bit of red. I was wondering if it is safe to charge a sealed calcium battery with a trickle battery charger. Obviously there is no filler/vent caps to allow gasses out while charging. Anyone had experience with this?? :idea:

[VooDoo]

Calcium batteries need a special type of charger (so im told by the battery shop) but the auto sparky i used said it makes no differance and use whatever i want.

[aussie372]

My way of thinking is that when they are fitted to your car does it know they are different ? eg magically changes the way it charges ..
I dont think so ..therefore i would use the same charger to charge it as you would a lead acid..
cheers mark

[GTS Listy]

Aparently they are supposed to but exactly as above the car chagers them so what harm can be done. (theory below what could go wrong)

I think the below is the reason why but it has been a long time since I dealt with this stuff.

One difference in the chargers is that they can recharge the battery from 0 volts and by electronics and slow ramping variable voltage chargers bring the battery back to normal fully charged state. With normal chargers they generally need some voltage in the battery to work and on top of that the normal chargers banging 14+ volts into a near 0 volt or very low voltage sealed battery can cause excess heat and do damaged to the battery by overheating and potentially damaging the case and longevity.

[firebug]

Thanx guys,

The reason I ask is that a normal acid battery needs to have the caps removed to allow gasses to escape whereas the caps stay in place when being charged in the car. This suggested to me that the car charges the battery at a slower rate (prob because it's pulling power from it at the same time, I dunno). This battery isn't at zero, it will still start the car, it just doesn't get charged long enough in the car hence the red indicator starting to show. I might charge it out on the back lawn just in case... :D

[Desertws6]

Thanx guys,

The reason I ask is that a normal acid battery needs to have the caps removed to allow gasses to escape whereas the caps stay in place when being charged in the car. This suggested to me that the car charges the battery at a slower rate (prob because it's pulling power from it at the same time, I dunno). This battery isn't at zero, it will still start the car, it just doesn't get charged long enough in the car hence the red indicator starting to show. I might charge it out on the back lawn just in case... :D

Maintenace free lead acid batteries have no caps to remove, they get charged the normal method.

I would just charge as normal with a trickle charger. I have 2 batteries on a float charger all the time 1 is a maintence free and the other has removable caps (left on). Never had at issue here.
If it makes you feel better, just leave the caps loose and just resting on the top to keep dust out.

,Steve