Optima Batteries and the HHR update
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
In mission critical facility systems, we use flooded cell batteries that must comply with IFC regs for spill containment and venting due to gassing (prevent Hydrogen accumulation >1% of room air). But VRLAs (low electrolyte/glass mat) are implicitly exempt from spill containment and have much more relaxed venting requirements. This is probably why they are used in the average family automobile. But in mid-voltage serial strings (380-420VDC), VRLAs are more prone to thermal runaway.
With that said, I don't know much about Optima batteries, as we don't use them in my industry (I have seen them in automotive magazines). Would it be safe to say that the Optima batteries are actually flooded cell batteries with a patented venting system?
If so, it would make sense, since FC "jars" are used in the most demanding environments that require high levels of availability. I would not think that they would be safe in consumer products such as the average family automobile. Perhaps this is why Optima is marketed only to the "special applications" market.
With that said, I don't know much about Optima batteries, as we don't use them in my industry (I have seen them in automotive magazines). Would it be safe to say that the Optima batteries are actually flooded cell batteries with a patented venting system?
If so, it would make sense, since FC "jars" are used in the most demanding environments that require high levels of availability. I would not think that they would be safe in consumer products such as the average family automobile. Perhaps this is why Optima is marketed only to the "special applications" market.
As for the design it is a more durable design for things on the go that take a beating. Trucks, off road vehicles, Race cars, boats construction etc. The kind of applications that often short our plates in a normal battery.
We sell them mail order and to be honest they are not really much easier to ship. We have all the haz mat deals in place and it takes just the same as most of our other normal batteries.
The other advantage is you can mount it any were any way with out it leaking. The anti spill vents are what help with this battery and the fact the cells will not flake off and short plates as they age.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-22-2009
Posts: 763
From: Southern California
I was told by a batterry distributor that the biggest advantage of the glass mat and similar batteries is that they can be shipped by almost any means with minimal restriction, and that the longest lasting best performing batteries are still the flooded design with proper maintenance. Obviously they can only be used in one orientation. Just one more piece of information to ponder.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
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Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,533
From: Fredericksburg,VA
OKAY, then what is the proper group battery to use, if I am willing to forego lawyrs and possible death?