Equipment Tests > Battery Systems

Then there's the deep cycle. This one is handy for fairly lengthy stays in one spot when you want to run a fridge, lights, HF radio or anything that will create a low amp drain over a long period of time. It can be run down to dead flat a number of times and re-charged without shortening its life. Deep cycle batteries generally have fewer plates (as little as four) but they are much thicker than a cranking battery. They do not make good cranking batteries due to a much lower CCA. The car or truck batteries have more plates offering better contact with the acid therefore giving faster recovery time, and a higher CCA.

All the batteries mentioned thus far are the wet cell type, which are the traditional style of battery that we have all grown to love and - at times - hate. But there is another kind available today; a dry cell battery that puts out as much power than a conventional wet cell battery yet has a lot more to recommend it in certain areas. There are just two varieties of this new generation battery available on the Australian market at the moment; the Odyssey battery and the Optima battery. Both feature dry cell technology, which means they will not leak, and can be mounted at almost any angle, making them easier to fit in some vehicles.

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To the 4WD owner a more important consideration is that these batteries are more resistant to shock and vibrations than the conventional variety due to their design and construction They also offer faster charging from as low as 100 percent discharge and have a much longer service life; up to eight years depending on the sort of work they perform.

The Optima dry cell battery is different from the Odyssey in that it uses what the company calls Spiralcell technology, where each cell is spiral-wound resulting in what the company refers to as a "six-pack." This results in the distinctive "six-pack" shape and a battery that looks completely different from most others. It also contributes to the Optima's resistance to vibration and long cranking life; tested to over 12,000 starts.

You can get dry cell batteries in deep cycle, cranking and marine variations as well as a variety of capacities. The cranking batteries run up to 800 and 930 CCA form, which puts them right up there in the heavier duty class.

As you might expect these batteries are more expensive than a conventional one, so it's really up to you to decide what your needs are. Both are covered by generous warranties.

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