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Looking to replace a Stop-Start battery? Let’s make it easy and take the confusion out of it.Modern motor cars with Automatic Stop-Start systems can detect when the vehicle is not moving and shut down the engine. This is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency.
This Stop-Start technology is really beneficial for those instances where the vehicle is stopped at traffic lights, as it eliminates the engine’s unnecessary idling while waiting for a green light. In the same scenario, the motor in vehicles without Stop-Start technology would continue to idle, wasting fuel and emitting pollution.
The engine does require 5 to 10 times more engine starts than non-stop start vehicles. Unfortunately, this has put an increased load on the car battery and its management system. The battery constantly charges and discharges while supporting the vehicle’s electrical loads when the engine is stopped.As only these high-performance car batteries can handle and provide a stable power supply to the vehicle, installing the correct battery is now more critical than ever.
Benefits of a vehicle with a Stop-Start system
Because of the high demands have led manufacturers to supply specially designed high-performance batteries to handle the extra workload in EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat).
EFB – Enhanced Flooded Battery
Initially, EFB batteries were designed to meet entry-level Stop Start systems’ power and cycling requirements. EFB battery are a much-improved version quality of the original conventual battery. The enhanced design allows it to handle the constant starting. Its deep cycling capabilities allow for continuous power, improved cycle life, and faster recharge.
AGM – Absorbed Glass Mat
An AGM battery is a fully sealed lead acid battery that allows the acid to be absorbed into fibreglass mat separators. As a result, AGM batteries are maintenance-free, have excellent charging acceptance and can deliver a higher power output than the equivalent flooded battery. In addition, the AGM design improves cycle life with superior cycling capabilities while providing high cranking power.
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries have long been the preferred option for Start-Stop vehicles, especially in the high-end European cars and for powering deep cycle needs. And although most EFB batteries have mainly been supplied for Asian cars, we are starting to see more and more European vehicles fitted with them here in Australia,
Although we in Australia haven’t seen it yet, improvements in the EFB technology and cost factors have increased demand for them in Europe, with 50% of motor vehicles installed with EFB batteries. So it looks like the trend is moving.
Early signs of battery failure could be sluggish starting, dash warning lights, accessories like air conditioners, radio & Stop-start function stops working.
Budget Batteries offer the best price on multiple quality stop-start battery brands to suit your vehicle’s application—brands like Century, Energised Midac, Varta and Amaron with an efficient battery fitting service.
Century, Australia’s leading battery manufacturer, is a trusted name in the industry and consumers.
They have a comprehensive range of EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries in DIN. In addition, JIS footprints are available for use in all Stop-Start vehicles.
Their AGM ISS Active Stop-Start batteries are specially designed to satisfy the fuel-saving and emission-reducing benefits of vehicles fitted with Idle Stop-Start (ISS) or Hybrid systems.
Budget Batteries offer the best price on Century stop-start batteries to suit your vehicle’s application. They also provide an efficient battery fitting service.
The Midac Itineris AGM Stop-Start batteries are designed and manufactured in Italy specifically as the Varta OEM replacement for European vehicles.Manufactured with the latest European technology and high-quality standards, they guarantee long-term safety and reliability.
The use of graphene on the negative plate helps to enhance the cranking performance and guard against plate sulphation/growth Ideal for Start Stop applications. This allows the battery to support more engine starts than conventional batteries and survive better when left unused for extended periods.
Budget Batteries offer the best price on Midac stop-start batteries to suit your vehicle’s application. They also provide an efficient battery fitting service.
VARTA® Silver Dynamic AGM Stop-Go AGM batteries are designed for advanced start-stop systems. The regenerative braking systems replenish the battery through the energy provided. By choosing VARTA® Silver Dynamic Stop-Go AGM with the most advanced technology, you will get an outstanding battery that will power the most demanding vehicles and accessories. In addition, it offers three times more endurance than conventional batteries.
Budget Batteries offer the best price on Varta AGM stop-start batteries to suit your vehicle’s application. They also provide an efficient battery fitting service.
Energised ISS AGM batteries are designed especially for the modern stop-start vehicle, built to OEM European specification with the correct amp hours and cold cranking amps (CCA).
They are a high-quality, affordable option to the OEM counterpart; they come with a 24-month warranty.
Budget Batteries offer the best price on Energised AGM & EFB stop-start batteries to suit your vehicle’s application. They also provide an efficient battery fitting service.
Amaron EFB stop-start batteries incorporate innovative design features and specialized components to maximize the cyclic performance needed to handle frequent discharge and recharge between engine starts. Along with extra power to run electrics while the engine is stopped.
AMARON® batteries have made a name in Australia for their excellent value, outstanding quality, and ability to handle the extreme temperature of the Australian outback.
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Conventional starter batteries are a tried and tested product that has been proven for decades. However, even the highest quality is not designed to handle the excessive demand from a car with ISS Stop-Start technology.
They may look the same, but once the computer detects a less performing battery or fails, it throws up warning lights and shuts down non-critical accessories like air conditioning. Plus, you will void any warranty on that battery.
Manufacturers claim lower fuel consumption with savings of 3-5% for Basic Start Stop applications and up to 8% for advanced systems associated with reductions in CO2.
In the early days, most motoring writers report some fuel savings but not that much in real-world conditions. It is hard to get a reliable comparison in testing conditions that heavily depend on driving style.
Manufacturers are constantly improving, so they are becoming more compliant with their strict legal compliance in the reduction of CO2. This, in turn, has seen up to 8% fuel saving from their more advanced systems.
Charging an EFB battery or an AGM battery is identical; however, it needs to be an intelligent charger suitable for multi-battery chemistries.
Always refer to the manufacturer datasheet or contact Budget Batteries; they will happily advise you correctly on the correct charger setting.
A conventional charger is not suitable for charging an AGM or EFB. Using one will shorten the life of the battery and void any warranty.
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All five batteries listed here are manufactured to OEM battery specifications and will work fine in any stop-start application.
For the budget conscious, we confidently recommend the Energized AGM battery as good value for money; you may pay more for the Century with its nationwide warranty and the robust Amaron, but they are excellent batteries and give a more extended warranty.
The European-made Varta and Midac would be my choice for the higher-end imported vehicles as both are high-quality batteries. So the only choice you need to make is, do I spend the extra and replace your old battery with an OEM choice?
Varta: https://www.varta-automotive.com/en-au/products/automotive-batteries/passenger-cars-with-start-stop
