Fighter Jet Batteries Move to Cars

[csv8]

Fighter jet batteries make move to cars

From: AAP
January 04, 2013 7:53AM



MODERN Absorption Glass Mat (AGM) car batteries are worth the extra purchase cost and generally last longer than their traditional lead-acid equivalents, say experts from Germany's GTUE technical inspection agency.

Originally developed for fighter jets and other military applications, AGMs are found in many modern cars. The batteries are made up of mats in which thin glass fibres are woven to increase the surface area.

The design allows the AGM battery to work like a flooded lead acid battery, except that the electrolyte in the AGM battery does not freely flood the plates but rather is held in the glass mats.

Heavily discharged AGM batteries are also easier to recharge than lead-acid versions, said GTUE spokesman Hans-Juergen Goetz.

AGMs can withstand very low temperatures without cracking and do not require topping up with water. The sandwich construction makes them resistant to vibration.



AGM batteries have been available in Europe for about three years but are not in stock for all car models. A GTUE test showed that mid-priced AGM batteries were often just as good as more expensive brands.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/b...-1226547485274

[falconnut]

Any other info?

Price, longevity ect?

[EgoFG]

I noticed (somewhere) a statement that they need a charger designed for them - would these drop into a Falcon, and work correctly ?

[falconnut]

Damn so it cant use a normal charger then...

How are you going to jump it let alone charge it in the middle of nowhere if it gets run flat or something.

[tweeked]

not as new as you might think - I have one in my car and you can grab one at Autobarn.

The Optima batteries are AGM

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by tweeked

not as new as you might think - I have one in my car and you can grab one at Autobarn.

The Optima batteries are AGM

I have two Optima AGM's in my Landcruiser...

I also have 8 x 230AH 12V AGM Deep Cycle Batteries in my boat (1840AH total), these charge off Solar panels, Wind Generator and HO Alternator....

Good sturdy batteries and been available for awhile now...

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by falconnut

Damn so it cant use a normal charger then...

How are you going to jump it let alone charge it in the middle of nowhere if it gets run flat or something.

Obviously the same design teams that brought us run flat tyres, no spare wheels, and lack of dipsticks on gearboxes (and, increasingly, engines).
They never expect anything to ever go wrong with the car...

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by falconnut

Damn so it cant use a normal charger then...

How are you going to jump it let alone charge it in the middle of nowhere if it gets run flat or something.

The only charger worth using (http://ctek.com/int/en/chargers/MXS%205.0) will charge AGM. Will also charge Cal/Cal batteries too.

[Werd.]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Obviously the same design teams that brought us run flat tyres, no spare wheels, and lack of dipsticks on gearboxes (and, increasingly, engines).
They never expect anything to ever go wrong with the car...

what car doesn't have an engine oil dipstick?
or do they use an electronic sensor

[poppa smurf]

I've used them for a fair while now in my caravan and my camper trailers and my camper

I use Ctek chargers but they can be charged and jumped by normal means as far as I know, I've never tried but have been told

they will last longer than a wet cell and will take heavier duty cycles

no vaporous discharge means they are the amongst a very few that can be used inside a sealed area like a caravan, motorhome or camper

they are around twice the price of regular batteries

[thefargo]

I also have 2, one in my land cruiser (as a second battery), but more to the reference here, one in the xb coupe. The standard batteries didn't like sitting for months, in some cases slowly discharging due to alarm flashing lights, etc. The glass mat, yes more expensive, but will charge from well below 10 volts, and can be jump started.
As a matter of fact I started the coupe today, the first time since Oct, and had no trouble cranking over. "normal' batteries would just click away as my immobiliser would make beeping sounds.
yes I could have disconnected the battery all the time, but then you are resetting clocks, radios etc.