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CompuFire alternator with standard battery?????

2102 Views 3 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  sandiegobrass
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I understand it is recommended to use a gel battery with the higher output CompuFire alternator, but WHY??????



What happens to an ordinary battery when used the the high output alternator???

Anyone's experiences appreciated. :?
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Globe I had to replace my alternater & I was sent a combo alt/Battery ! the reason is because is with the higher output it can cause boil over ! cause the oem battery /alt are maybe 40-45 amp at best & adding a higher output alternator will cause it to boil out ! the compufire puts out 60 amp at idle & 90 while riding ! I replaced mine in 05 & still have the battery that came with the alt ! Im sorry so long but theres no other way to explain it !Oh also if you don`t already have get a battery tender !hope this helps ! Craig
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The Compufire's voltage regulator is set a little bit above the normal voltage. That is because the gel cell has a slightly higher normal voltage.

That higher voltage will boil the water out of a standard lead acid battery. Combined with the higher amperage capability of the Compufire alternator, the standard battery will sulfate very quickly.
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Keep in mind "Gel" and "AGM" are not the same thing... The Compufire, I think, recommends an "AGM".. Here is something I found that saves me from having to type it..

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GEL vs. AGM Sealed Batteries
AGM (absorbed glass mat) is a special design glass mat designed to wick the battery electrolyte between the battery plates. AGM batteries contain only enough liquid to keep the mat wet with the electrolyte and if the battery is broken no free liquid is available to leak out.

Gel Cell batteries contain a silica type gel that the battery electrolyte is suspended in, this thick paste like material allows electrons to flow between plates but will not leak from the battery if the case is broken.

More often than not an AGM Batteries are mistakenly identified as a Gel Cell Batteries. Both batteries have similar traits; such as being non spillable, deep cycle, may be mounted in any position, low self discharge, safe for use in limited ventilation areas, and may be transported via Air or Ground safely without special handling.

AGM Batteries outsell Gel Cell by at least a 100 to 1. AGM is preferred when a high burst of amps may be required. In most cases recharge can be accomplished by using a good quality standard battery charger or engine alternator. The life expectancy; measured as cycle life or years remains excellent in most AGM batteries if the batteries are not discharged more than 60% between recharge. There are some AGM batteries we sell that offer excellent 80%+ deep cycle abilities.

Gel Cell Batteries are typically a bit more costly and do not offer the same power capacity as do the same physical size AGM battery. The Gel Cell excels in slow discharge rates and slightly higher ambient operating temperatures. One big issue with Gel Batteries that must be addressing is the CHARGE PROFILE. Gel Cell Batteries must be recharged correctly or the battery will suffer premature failure. The battery charger being used to recharge the battery(s) must be designed or adjustable for Gel Cell Batteries. If you are using an alternator to recharge a true Gel Cell a special regulator must be installed.
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