Calcium Batteries?

[Andrew276]

I'd be grateful if anyone could shed some light on the subject of
fitting a calcium battery to an older vehicle.

I've found conflicting information on this. Some say it is OK but I've
also read that they require a higher charging voltage and cause the
alternator to work harder and can cause damage in older cars.

The car in question is a VW Golf 2008 1.9TDI.

Also I'm wondering if compatibility depends on the alternator rather
than the car. Are newer alternators designed to work OK with calcium
batteries?

[Fredxx]

This might be of interest:
https://www.yuasa.co.uk/info/technical/silver-calcium-batteries/

In practice there is very little difference between battery descriptions
and they are all lead-acid technology.

Is there a fitment guide that recommends the intended battery for your car?

[Andrew276]

(Ha - an answer! . . . good to see this group still works)

At the VWAudio forum, I'm told that the part number is 000 915 105 DG,
but I'm not clear if that is a calcium battery or not.

[Fredxx]

Technically it is a lead-acid batter and calcium is a marketing tool.

Personally, I think you're overthinking this and it should be fine.
Calcium versions are said to accept a higher charging voltage without
gassing.

They will still charge at 14.4V, just like any other lead-acid battery.

[Andrew276]

You sure? I've seen a lot about them needing 14.8. Honest John says:
"Despite the name, a 'calcium' battery is still a lead acid battery - it
just means antimony in the plates of the battery has been replaced by
calcium. This means it's more resistant to corrosion but it does require
a higher charge voltage than conventional batteries. "

and from
https://www.batteryskills.com/are-lead-acid-and-lead-calcium-batteries-interchangeable/

"Another difference between the two types of batteries is their charging
characteristics. Lead-calcium batteries generally require a higher
charging voltage than lead-acid batteries to achieve full charge. This
is because the calcium in the electrodes makes it more difficult for the
battery to accept a charge.
Practical Implications

In practical terms, the interchangeability of lead-acid and lead-calcium
batteries depends on the specific application and the requirements of
the system. In some cases, lead-calcium batteries may be a suitable
replacement for lead-acid batteries, while in other cases, they may not be.

One important consideration is the voltage and capacity of the battery.
Lead-calcium batteries typically have a slightly higher voltage than
lead-acid batteries, which can affect the performance of the system if
it is not designed to handle the higher voltage."


Yes there is little doubt that I'm overthinking it but I like to get to
the bottom of things.

[Fredxx]

The basic chemistry is lead acid. The calcium battery will accept a
higher charge voltage with less outgassing. I'm not convinced its a
pre-requisite for such a battery to accept a charge to need the higher
charging voltage.

While I also see many articles that say a charging voltage should be
within 14.4-14.8V I've never seen any graphs of charge and voltage over
time. Hell, the float charge voltage for a lead acid is 13.6 to 13.8V
and it will become fully charged at that float charging voltage, albeit
eventually. It's all about time and voltage to get to a known state of
charge. Furthermore some articles say the terminals won't corrode as
much which is BS. Other BS terms I have seen is "recombination process".

The real advantage of a calcium battery is it is resistant to corrosion;
it has no excessive gassing, less water usage, and reduced
self-discharge. And that last point that will be overwhelmed by the
discharge from the car's electronics anyway.

YMMV