Let's talk about batteries

[Maurice Johnson]

Ronbo, the "which battery is the best" is an interesting problem, as you point out. Your comments about CCA ratings, and their relevance,I agree with. In another post, a few days ago,about wiring a new Mini-starter, I kind of raised this point in relation to why so many Cobras seem to use slave solenoids, when the built in starter solenoid is more than capable of handling the starter load.

I work on lots of large ocean-going sailboats, where the DC amperage requirements to run big inverters is often large ,for long periods of time. This is where Gel Cell technology is most appropriate. A high output, at a steady rate, is this battery's strong point. The problem with Gel Cells is their really fussy about charging rates, requiring strict recharging voltage monitoring, (if not you get swelled sides when the gel releases vapour, expands into gas pockets, the surrounding silica congeals, and you have cavities in the electrolite). If you are going to invest in a Gel Cell, have an alternator shop take a good look at the quality of your regulator. Gell Cells were developed for the military where the installations could be in any configuration,e.g. lying on their side, subject to vibration, and not necessarily checked for fluid levels.
The "absorbed glass mat" battery, AGM,kind of goes back a step to combine the effeciency of flooded batteries, with the ability to take a wider range of charging voltages, without damage.

Thanks for opening an interesting thread.

(Working on aquiring my Unique build. Sorry Comish, without you, its just not the same )

[Ron61]

I have ran the Optima battery in my Cobra for over 7 years with no problems. When I park it I hook a battery tender to it. All that does is keep it at peak charge and once in a while will kick on for about 20 seconds if it drops a little. But it won't charge the battery as it is just what the title says, a Battery Tender. Just monitors it for any drop and charges it back to that level.

Ron

[Dwight]

I bought a gel cell for my Cobra and it lasted 11 months. They exchanged it and that one lasted 13 or 14 months. The third one, less than a year. They gave up and gave me an acid battery that I have used for 3 years. I think I burned one of the gel cells up by charging it to fast. Maybe my charging system in the car was part of the problem. I know they are better batteries but could not get one to last in my Cobra.

Dwight