Hi Peeps im just about to put my 99 Focus 1.8 back on the road again for the misses as it's been in storage for 4 years.

Thing is the battery was binned a few years back and heard years ago that you need a special kind? Calcium i think it was, Is this still the case or are there alternatives out there now.

Anyone recommend one model make etc.

Thanks steve

 

Well, i've never heard of that before, i'm sure any 12V battery which suits your terminals will be fine.

 

i'm pretty sure the later focus' had a special charging system so you had to use calcium (think its the tdci's) but my 2000 2l does not. its had a halfords lead acid for at least 3 years on it and a motorcraft lead acid prior to me buying it.

 

Certainly later model Focus i.e MK 1.5 use the SMART CHARGE system as do all modern Fords, as you correctly thought it's a calcium battery you need, they charge at a higher rate than lead acid, using the latter can cause problems not only with the charging system but it can also be dangerous as the lead acids can not take the charge and so could explode in the worst case scenario.

Martin

 

If it originally came with a calcium battery from the factory, which I'm 99.9% sure it did, then it MUST only have a calcium one fitted, as said the charge rate is often much higher, though it doesn't have to be, and they will work perfectly on cars where a std lead/acid battery was used.
Lead acid are pegged at 14.4V, otherwise plates inside overheat and damage occurs, calcium can charge up to around 16.5V level without any harm, and give better performance.
I've seen a citroen bx charge it's battery at 19V, that was frightening, the battery was actually smoking heavily when they brought the car in for a battery check, they were told not to use the car and leave it overnight for new alt/battery, they drove away!!
tabetha

 

I'm pretty sure all focus's use the smart charge system, so you should use the silver calcium batteries.

 

Now I work in a car spares shop n I have put whats known a 096+ (Basically a heavy duty version) but a non Ford item n have no probs with charging wotsoever n its even a bigger battery than what was fitted as std