The best battery I've found is made by AC Delco. With a properly operating
charging system, these things _don't leak_. Not a drop, no corroded
terminals, no corroded battery trays and such. These batteries last quite a
long time, I had one in service for ~ 7 years cranking a 345 CID
International Scout that was converted into a around the shop tow truck.
Cold PA winter weather, thick oil, short runs, no problem.
My second choice would be a Interstate.
Exide ( and the companies they have been buying up lately ) is a last resort
if I was stuck on the side of the road. These things spew acid causing a
mess. I friends Chevy van had one of these that was so fumey acid entered
the bulkhead connector wicked up the wires and was dripping acid from the
fuse box. :P
As a side note, maintenance free batteries need a high charging voltage than
a old check the water variety. Under charging a battery is a sure way to
shorten it's life.
Someone suggested a deep cycle battery. In a automotive cranking environment
this really isn't a good idea. True deep cycle batteries ( Golf Cart ) have
thicker plates, this gives more area for the sulfur ( ions ?) to be absorbed
while discharge. While this gives greater depth of discharge, it limits high
current draw during cranking.
A regular automotive lead acid battery has thin plates to allow high current
draw but is limited on depth of discharge. In a deep cycle app the plates
would soon sulfate, and flake apart.
The best place to learn about lead acid battery tech would be a electric car
site, they are really in to battery tech.
Harold
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