VN 54 | APRIL – JUNE 2019 9
A LEISURELY Q&A
WITH CROMPTON
Crompton provides an insight on what to be aware of with leisure/marine batteries.
It’s no surprise that there is a difference
between leisure/marine batteries and
automotive starter batteries. But what
should you consider when recommending
leisure batteries?
SO, REMIND ME OF THE DIFFERENCE?
A starter battery must be able to supply a
large current for a very short period of time.
In contrast, a leisure battery is required
to supply a low current for a much longer
period of time and be cycled (discharged and
recharged) many times. They do not have
the capability to produce high CCA (Cold
Cranking Amps) needed to start a vehicle.
WHAT FEATURES ARE REQUIRED FROM
A LEISURE BATTERY?
There are three main considerations for
batteries that are supplied into the leisure
market:
• T
he Ampere Hour Capacity (Ah) –
How long the battery will run for within
each discharge/ recharge cycle.
• T
he Cyclic Ability – How many
times the battery can be discharged and
recharged within its service life.
• S
ealed or Vented – Whether the
required product is sealed and fully
maintenance free, or vented with
removable filler caps.
It is especially important that the Ampere
Hour Capacity and Cyclic Ability are rated at
a recognised industry standard.
WHAT DO THOSE MEAN EXACTLY?
Ah is normally measured at the C20 or
20-hour rate. This means that a fully charged
12 volt 110Ah battery rated at C20, will supply
5.5 amps (110 divided by 20) for 20 hours,
at +25°C down to an end voltage of 10.5v,
but will not supply 110 amps for 1 hour, or
55 amps for 2 hours, etc.
Cyclic Ability normally has a Depth of
Discharge (DoD) of 50%, meaning a battery
rated at 70 cycles can be discharged by half
of its capacity, a minimum of 70 times. The
higher the DoD, the lower the cyclic life and
vice versa.
Sealed batteries are generally required
when the location of the battery makes
maintenance (topping up with de-ionised
water) difficult or impossible. Sealed
batteries are also advantageous to make
transportation easier where there may be
health & safety concerns. Crompton leisure
batteries are available in both sealed and
vented options, with the option of single or
dual terminals.
WHAT DOES FPS HAVE FOR ME?
FPS customers have exclusive access to
an extensive range of Crompton batteries,
including automotive, commercial and
leisure/marine batteries, available for same/
next-day delivery. You can order these on
the F:Drive, or speak to your local FPS
representative for further details.