Batteries for a Stop Start car

[Haakon]

Batteries for a car with Stop-Start.

So rang around a couple of battery places for a battery for the Alfa (it will get the new one, but the Renault needs one now its back together and ill put the 4yo old battery from the Alfa in it) and he was saying even though I have the SS permanently off (Alfa bless its socks allows it to be turned off and stay off!) I still need a SS battery because SS cars "charge differently".

When pressed on that, he reckons they'll charge harder and faster and thats what's harder on the battery. Waddya reckon - sound legit?

He also said warranty is void if I fit a "normal" battery to a SS car... Boo. The Delkor in the Alfa now is a normal DIN53LH thats in perfect health after 4 years, the SS alternator hasn't killed it yet!

 

[Rand]

Depends is the stock battery AGM, EFB, or regular?

 

[KJSmith]

My understanding is that AGM batteries are more sensitive to being overcharged.

 

[bdcardinal]

I can say that any Ford with stop-start should have come with an AGM. There are notes in the parts catalog that if a regular flooded battery is used in a stop-start application there is no warranty on the battery.

 

[Haakon]

I don’t actually remember what the Alfa Romeo had in it when I bought it… It was bought new but was a showroom queen for 18 months and i suspect the dealer might have changed the battery on it.

Anyway, have been running a conventional battery in it successfully for 4 years, but all the parts finder listings specify an AGM or EFB battery for it. Although I take those with a grain of salt for obscure European brand cars.

 

[zrxkawboy]

So the 2 cars call for the same battery? If so, just buy a standard battery "for the Renault".

 

[Haakon]

I can say that any Ford with stop-start should have come with an AGM. There are notes in the parts catalog that if a regular flooded battery is used in a stop-start application there is no warranty on the battery.

That’s what the battery shop told me. Which I understand if you’re using the stop start - id use the chunkier battery too if I used it

But the off button remains off.

 

[Haakon]

So the 2 cars call for the same battery? If so, just buy a standard battery "for the Renault".

Oh yes, should there be a warranty issue clearly the battery will have been in the Renault

The Alfa is the main use car though, so it’s getting the new one.


Anyhoo, working on the theory that I won’t actually be working it hard with stop start and just running it normally, I just wanted to reality check the notion that there is something inherently different about a stop start car’s charging system that might be harmful long term to a conventional battery.

 

[wpod]

Use what ever the factory used.

 

[CKN]

I can say that any Ford with stop-start should have come with an AGM. There are notes in the parts catalog that if a regular flooded battery is used in a stop-start application there is no warranty on the battery.

The newer F150s do.

 

[CKN]

Use what ever the factory used.

My gosh! That's like saying use the oil spec'ed in the owners manual!

 

[Haakon]

Use what ever the factory used.

Sure. But they’re a lot more expensive and if I’m not needing the extra capacity due to not actually using stop start I may as well save some money.

Hence the question.

 

[MParr]

EFB or AGM battery.
It probably was outfitted with an EFB battery from the factory.

 

[Haakon]

EFB or AGM battery.
It probably was outfitted with an EFB battery from the factory.

Yes, I realise that. The question is if I’m not using the SS functionality is there anything about the charging system (voltages etc) in a SS car that would be detrimental to a standard battery.

 

[KJSmith]

Yes, I realise that. The question is if I’m not using the SS functionality is there anything about the charging system (voltages etc) in a SS car that would be detrimental to a standard battery.

. The Delkor in the Alfa now is a normal DIN53LH thats in perfect health after 4 years, the SS alternator hasn't killed it yet!

How long are you expecting a battery to last?

The AGM battery in my '17 F150 with 146k miles on it was replaced this spring.

My understanding is the BMS will cut alternator power to the battery when it is fully charged.

Does your Alfa have a BMS system?

Does any of this matter?

4 years is pretty good on a battery.

 

[CKN]

Yes, I realise that. The question is if I’m not using the SS functionality is there anything about the charging system (voltages etc) in a SS car that would be detrimental to a standard battery.

If there is a smart charging system -yes. The computer that controls that function will be "tuned" to that type of battery that came as standard equipment. Many threads on this on various car manufacturers forums across the Internet.

 

[Haakon]

Crisis averted. Battery shop surprisingly matched a mainland price (stuff is usually more expensive in Tasmania due to shipping costs across Bass Straight…) and gave me a Delkor EFB for only $30 more than I was expecting to pay for a normal one. And that avoids having to play games with warranty and saying it was in the Renault if it comes to that.

 

[Urshurak776]

So, realize this thread is a month or so old.

I don't use start/stop in any of my vehicles. We always turn it off.

I was in Ottawa last week, taking an UBER to the airport. There was an accident in front of us and it took us 25 minutes to go a 1/4 of a mile. The Honda Pilot the uber driver had started/stopped at LEAST 20 times during that 1/4 mile. No freaking way that is good for the engine......

No thanks.

 

[oil pan 4]

Stuff the biggest AGM battery that will fit in the battery hole in there.