m30hmf

Re: m30hmf

It’s my understanding that AC Delco uses a lead-calcium alloy in their battery grids. Compared to flooded-cell lead-acid batteries employing “standard” lead-antimony grids, the Pb/Ca grid is supposed to reduced water loss during charging, but it also appears to require a higher charging voltage.

I’m unable to find any useful information on the AC Delco website. However, the picture from the web page linked below indicates that the tops of their batteries are covered with various labels, so perhaps the charging instructions can be found there. See: http://www.acdelco.com/parts/battery/voyager-battery.jsp

Alternately, you may find the following recommendations to be of interest. From the Xantrex ProSine 2.0 Inverter/Charger User Manual ( http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/238/docserve.asp ):

Pages C-2 and C-3, Delco Voyager by Delphi: Charge Algorithm #17 (for a “12 V” battery):

Absorb: 16 V :-o
Float: 13.5 V
Equalize: 17.5 V :-o :-o

From The Deltran Battery Tender Heavy Duty DVD/DVS Charger Product Summary
( http://batterytender.com/includes/languages/english/resources/Product_Instructions_DVD_DVS.pdf ):

See the DELCO setting, graph and specs:

Absorb: 16.25 V
Float: 13.1 V

The absorb and EQ values cited above are much higher than what we normally see in flooded-cell batteries (typical absorb = 14.4 V to 14.8 V at 77 F). Frankly, I have no idea if these values are justified. If they are, I would not expect these batteries to be particularly energy efficient (Wh out / Wh in).

You may need to discuss this further with AC Delco (Delphi?). If the values are valid, you’ll have few chargers from which to choose. Or, you may wish to bite the bullet and replace the Voyager with a “normal” flooded-cell or VRLA batteries.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer