RE: Acid Free?

[Roger Stockton <rstockton@delta-q.com>]

Electrathon America rules do NOT prohibit the use of starting batteries.

>From the vehicle design rules available on their website:

"Batteries must be lead acid type. (This includes wet cell, gel cell,
AGM, deep cycle and starting batteries)."

I don't think there is any philosophy behind Electrathon competition
that is counter to the use of components that will wear out in a short
period of time: it is not at all unusual to consume a set of tires in
a single 1hr outing, or to wear out chains, sprockets, or wheels in a
small number of races; why would consuming a set or two of batteries
in a season be viewed any differently?

The cost argument fails as well: a set of deep cycle lead acid batteries
can cost quite a bit more than a set of starting batteries, so it may
well be the case that it is the "rich" teams that can afford NOT to run
starting batteries!

I'm not sure that starting batteries have greater capacity than deep
cycle batteries in general, although they may have an edge in power.
The big difference seems to be that flooded batteries tend to have
greater capacity than gel or AGM types (but on the other hand, an
AGM with a superior Peukert might well hold its own or come out ahead
on the track).  A definite advantage of starting batteries is that
they may allow assembling a pack which is closer to the 64lb limit
than the more limited range of sizes available in smallish deep cycle
batteries.  Unfortunately, none of the manufacturers seem to publish
weight or capacity figures for their starting batteries, which makes
it difficult to locate a suitable model...

Cheers,

Roger.


-----Original Message-----
From:	VanDerWal, Peter [SMTP:vanderwp@fhu.disa.mil]
Sent:	Monday, July 30, 2001 10:42 PM
To:	EV List
Subject:	Re: Acid Free?
Importance:	Low

>This brings a question up from a few months back. I was reading the
>Electrathon America Tech rules, and the use of "starting batteries" is
>specifically prohibited, and it seemed irregardless of flooded or sealed
>types.
>
>Why would the rules specifically prevent a competitor from cutting their
>range performance short by using "starting batteries"?

Because they DON'T shorten your range, they extend it.  Starting batteries
generally hold MORE energy than deep cycle batteries.  The problem is they
don't last as long in cycle life, generally a couple dozen deep cycles and
they're toast.  This is wasteful and counter to the general idea behind
electrathons.  

Besides only the rich teams can afford to buy a new set of batteries every
couple races ;-)