Inside view on the best batteries

Is a more expensive 12V battery always better?

BATTERY TECHNOLOGY HAS DIVERSIFIED RAPIDLY AND NOW OFFERS A BEWILDERING CHOICE. WE GET THE INSIDE KNOWLEDGE FROM CENTURY YUASA BATTERIES

Century Yuasa Batteries’ national training manager John Kilby has been in the battery industry for 32 years and has had a front-row seat observing the evolution of technology over that time.

At the start of John’s career, there was really only one main type of battery, lead acid, which was available in both 6-volt and 12-volt — the type with vented screw caps on each cell to which you added distilled water as the battery would lose some of its electrolyte through its normal operation.

“Choosing a battery was relatively simple. Generally, the more you paid, the better the battery, and the longer it tended to last. Better batteries had more lead plates, increasing the surface area of the plate material. This becomes a balance, as too many plates in that confined area can lead to the risk of internal shorts,” says John.

Batteries are now available with different technologies — flooded, AGM, gel, and the new kid on the block: lithium. Each of these technologies has its advantages and disadvantages.

Lead requires additional additives to help provide a stable property for the lead paste to be applied to. In the early days, a material called antimony was used. While this is still used today, mainly in deep cycle batteries, other materials are used in starting batteries — the likes of calcium amongst them. This had some additional benefits, helping the battery to hold its state of charge longer and reduce water loss.

The starting or cranking battery of any vehicle is typically a flooded battery, and this continues to be used in most original equipment applications today. Over the years we have seen this morph from a maintainable to a sealed maintenance-free product as the technology and demand change. We found ways to better contain the electrolyte within the battery, removing the need for topping up.

The next big breakthrough was AGM or absorbed glass mat. These are batteries that don’t have loose electrolyte flooding each cell. Instead, the electrolyte is embedded in glass mat separators, which are pressed up against the plates. Whilst first applications for this technology were in the deep cycle space, we are now starting to see it being used in some European stop/start vehicles.

The other technology worth a mention is gel. This is where the electrolyte is contained in a silica gel — also without any loose electrolyte. These products can be used in applications that flooded batteries cannot.

One of the key differences between AGM and gel technology is the charging regime. The absorbed glass mat is a lot more forgiving with its charging parameters.

We are now seeing smaller, lighter lithium batteries in a range of formulations entering the scene, but they are very expensive.

John says how a battery is used or charged will have a lot to do with its eventual lifespan, and these usage patterns should be kept in mind when deciding which battery technology to go for.

As battery types diversify, keeping to the manufacturer’s specification is becoming more and more important. When it comes to battery replacement, the vehicle’s electrical system has already been set up for a specific type of battery. As vehicle manufacturers work to reduce emissions, one of the ways is by reducing the load on the alternator.

This means that, in some cases, the vehicle may only charge the battery to 80 per cent before the charging system is disengaged to increase fuel economy, and the battery has to handle that.

No battery lasts for ever, and John encourages workshops to test their customers’ battery condition at every opportunity — even if discovering a failing battery will add dollars to the customer’s bill. In some cases, drivers don’t get the warning signs we used to expect, such as the car engine cranking more slowly than usual. With today’s modern vehicles, it is often a case of “one day it starts, and the next day it doesn’t.

According to John, there are no downsides to testing every battery that comes through your workshop, only upsides.

“You get the battery sale, deliver good customer service, and ensure your customer doesn’t have to face a battery-related breakdown in the future.”

For more information on Century Yuasa’s range of products and services, call 0800 93 93 93 or visit centurybatteries.co.nz.

Is a more expensive 12V battery always better?

BATTERY TECHNOLOGY HAS DIVERSIFIED RAPIDLY AND NOW OFFERS A BEWILDERING CHOICE. WE GET THE INSIDE KNOWLEDGE FROM CENTURY YUASA BATTERIES

Century Yuasa Batteries’ national training manager John Kilby has been in the battery industry for 32 years and has had a front-row seat observing the evolution of technology over that time.

At the start of John’s career, there was really only one main type of battery, lead acid, which was available in both 6-volt and 12-volt — the type with vented screw caps on each cell to which you added distilled water as the battery would lose some of its electrolyte through its normal operation.

“Choosing a battery was relatively simple. Generally, the more you paid, the better the battery, and the longer it tended to last. Better batteries had more lead plates, increasing the surface area of the plate material. This becomes a balance, as too many plates in that confined area can lead to the risk of internal shorts,” says John.

Batteries are now available with different technologies — flooded, AGM, gel, and the new kid on the block: lithium. Each of these technologies has its advantages and disadvantages.

Lead requires additional additives to help provide a stable property for the lead paste to be applied to. In the early days, a material called antimony was used. While this is still used today, mainly in deep cycle batteries, other materials are used in starting batteries — the likes of calcium amongst them. This had some additional benefits, helping the battery to hold its state of charge longer and reduce water loss.

The starting or cranking battery of any vehicle is typically a flooded battery, and this continues to be used in most original equipment applications today. Over the years we have seen this morph from a maintainable to a sealed maintenance-free product as the technology and demand change. We found ways to better contain the electrolyte within the battery, removing the need for topping up.

The next big breakthrough was AGM or absorbed glass mat. These are batteries that don’t have loose electrolyte flooding each cell. Instead, the electrolyte is embedded in glass mat separators, which are pressed up against the plates. Whilst first applications for this technology were in the deep cycle space, we are now starting to see it being used in some European stop/start vehicles.

The other technology worth a mention is gel. This is where the electrolyte is contained in a silica gel — also without any loose electrolyte. These products can be used in applications that flooded batteries cannot.

One of the key differences between AGM and gel technology is the charging regime. The absorbed glass mat is a lot more forgiving with its charging parameters.

We are now seeing smaller, lighter lithium batteries in a range of formulations entering the scene, but they are very expensive.

John says how a battery is used or charged will have a lot to do with its eventual lifespan, and these usage patterns should be kept in mind when deciding which battery technology to go for.

As battery types diversify, keeping to the manufacturer’s specification is becoming more and more important. When it comes to battery replacement, the vehicle’s electrical system has already been set up for a specific type of battery. As vehicle manufacturers work to reduce emissions, one of the ways is by reducing the load on the alternator.

This means that, in some cases, the vehicle may only charge the battery to 80 per cent before the charging system is disengaged to increase fuel economy, and the battery has to handle that.

No battery lasts for ever, and John encourages workshops to test their customers’ battery condition at every opportunity — even if discovering a failing battery will add dollars to the customer’s bill. In some cases, drivers don’t get the warning signs we used to expect, such as the car engine cranking more slowly than usual. With today’s modern vehicles, it is often a case of “one day it starts, and the next day it doesn’t.

According to John, there are no downsides to testing every battery that comes through your workshop, only upsides.

“You get the battery sale, deliver good customer service, and ensure your customer doesn’t have to face a battery-related breakdown in the future.”

For more information on Century Yuasa’s range of products and services, call 0800 93 93 93 or visit centurybatteries.co.nz.

Koba Batteries go long and strong

KOBA BATTERIES HAVE MADE STRONG INROADS IN THE NEW ZEALAND BATTERY MARKET SINCE THEIR LAUNCH HERE IN 2011

Manufactured in a top-notch calcium battery facility in South Korea, Koba Batteries are long- lasting batteries for all applications, including automotive, commercial, and marine.

Available nationwide, Koba’s complete battery range has sizes to suit most popular makes and models, as well as some harder to fit applications. The most popular Koba batteries are the maintenance-free calcium range for automotive and commercial vehicles. These batteries are designed to provide safe, reliable starting power with extended durability. They are built with enveloped separators which provide low electric resistance, maximising a battery’s electrical performance and minimising self-discharge. Their ultra microfibre and special tissue increase plate durability, giving the batteries a greater life span. The durable and safe nature of these batteries makes them an ideal choice for everyday automotive or commercial use.

To meet the higher demands of stop-start vehicle technology, Koba Batteries has developed a range of absorbent glass mat (AGM) and enhanced flooded batteries (EFB) that cater for the repeated cranking demand of these vehicles.

Koba’s AGM battery range has an even higher durability and cycle life than the calcium battery range. These batteries have high charge acceptance and feature excellent starting power — critical demands in modern battery management systems. Due to their packed construction, these AGM batteries also have a much better resistance to vibration than most flooded batteries.

The EFB range from Koba is the intermediate solution between standard calcium batteries and AGM batteries, while still offering the power required for stop-start systems. These EFB batteries are designed to deliver two to three times the battery life of standard calcium batteries. They have very high charge acceptance, so they can take advantage of fuel saving charging systems designed to run for short periods only.

For those seeking a powerful starting battery for marine vehicles, Koba offers a Marine range. These batteries are available in a range of popular case sizes, from 560 CCA to 800 CCA, to cover a wide spectrum of makes and models in the market.

The Koba Deep Cycle HD Plus range of batteries are specifically designed for marine, RV, 4WDs, and other heavy vehicles where vibration resistance, and the capacity to accept a deep draw, are paramount. Koba Deep Cycle HD Plus batteries provide high endurance, making them suitable for New Zealand’s varied terrain and environments. These batteries are also ideal for seasonal applications such as boats, caravans, and campers due to their minimal self-discharging properties. For those wanting all-rounder batteries, the Koba Dual Purpose Deep Cycle range of batteries features everything expected from a good and dependable battery. The key features of Koba Deep Cycle batteries include cycling and starting capabilities, making them a suitable choice for a variety of marine and recreational applications.

The complete range of Koba automotive, commercial, and marine batteries is available exclusively at R&J Batteries. R&J Batteries is one of the fastest growing leading distributors of batteries, accessories, and lubricants in Australasia, and now has 27 branches and more than 8000 stockists in the region.

R&J Batteries entered New Zealand’s highly competitive battery industry in 2018 with the opening of its Auckland branch. Since then, the branch has relocated to 57H McLaughlins Road, Wiri, to meet the growing demand for its specialised products and services. The new Wiri distribution centre features more than 1000 sqm of full height racking bays, a new showroom, customer service area, multiple parking bays for customers and pick-up, meeting spaces, and a conference room. The new distribution centre has allowed R&J Batteries to expand its warehousing and distribution capacities significantly.

R&J Batteries opened its Christchurch branch in 2019 in a merger agreement with New Zealand born and bred battery company Acme Batteries. Acme Batteries had distributed Koba Batteries nationwide since 2011 and has been instrumental in building the brand’s reputation in New Zealand. Since the merger, Koba Batteries is now exclusively distributed by R&J Batteries, who continue to offer the Koba brand as an official Blackfern supplier.

In 2020 and 2021, R&J Batteries expanded its capacity with the addition of the Acme warehouse in Albany and by opening another new warehouse in Hamilton, allowing the battery distributor to service both North and South Islands more efficiently.

R&J Batteries’ extensive brand portfolio consists of world-class brands such as Delkor, ACDelco, BAE, Fullriver, Predator, ALLiON, Hardcore, Optima, RELiON, Zenaji, and more. Together, these brands cover battery and accessory needs for customers across New Zealand.

Contact R&J Batteries’ Wiri, Christchurch, Hamilton, or Albany branches to learn more about these products or to become a stockist. For more information on R&J Batteries and their associated brands, visit rjbatt.co.nz, or call 0800 546 000.