12V Battery Details?

dgpretzel · May 30, 2017

I'm wondering if anyone knows any details about the OEM 12V battery.

I see that it has no cell caps. Could it be gel or AGM? Or do wet cell lead-acid batteries also come with no cell caps? (How would it handle gassing, then?). I'm thinking that the charging profile (if there is one) from the LDC might be tailored to whatever the OEM battery is (gel, agm, or just plain flooded cell), and if I get the wrong type, I might hurt the battery, or just not get its full capacity. I think, but am not certain, that an AGM battery can be charged with a el profile without damage, but maybe not the other way around. And, i don't know about the compatibility (or lack thereof) between flooded cell batteries and either gel or agm.

Bottom line: I just need to know what kind of battery (agm would be my preference) I can use to replace the OEM 12V lead-acid battery.

Anyone know?

Thank you.

DG

SoulEV2016 · May 30, 2017

regular ACID electrolyte battery (yes, with acid/water) don't have caps since 10 years ... or indicator of chimistry (red/green) since 5 years.

AGM of this capacity are "hell" more heavy than the Kia Soul EV. :mrgreen:

change it with a LifePO4 - 4 Cells if you want = same service because of the potential of the DC-DC converter.

on LifePO4 - 4 cells battery, you have a BMS that it cut battery if 1 cells is too low (but accept jump start).

you can use an other AGM battery, too ... but the fixation plate may be an issue.
you can use a regular ACID battery and keep a jump start battery like this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13uVYy1RtA0

SoulEV2016 · May 30, 2017

or, like me, change the battery and run full time with night lights enabled.

in this strategic, the converter DC-DC maintain a high voltage to always charge the ACID battery when car is enabled.

http://www.mykiasoulev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=732

i have the same problem with ICE car ... so since 15 years, i run with night lights enabled on day.

SoulEV2016 · May 30, 2017

For the subject : https://www.kiapartsnow.com/parts-list/2015-kia-soul-ev/battery.html?Diagram=37371A13

Battery is standard for all Kia car (ICE) : http://www.kiapartsoverstock.com/p/Kia__/BATTERY/7198632/3711024001U.html

dgpretzel · May 31, 2017

Thank you for the information and suggestion.

I observe that the battery you suggest appears to be 15AH, while the OEM battery is 45AH. Seems like capacity would be reduced by 2/3. Isn't that a problem?

Also, are you saying that the OEM battery is what used to be conventional, regular old "wet" lead-acid? (As opposed to gel or AGM?)

Regards,

DG

SoulEV2016 · May 31, 2017

yes, it's a start battery (wet), not a deep-cycle battery (gel/AGM).
and so, at high current, this AUX battery don't provide the 45Ah ... perhaps, less than 20Ah.

she can provide 45Ah with an 4,5A discharge for 10 hours.
and only for less than 300 cycles at this strict lab situation (at 20°C with a charge at 2A for 20h after).

in regular usage (20-30A discharge) = less than 150 cycles.
AGM and Gel Battery = 400 cycles (use 80% ... not recommended), 800 cycles (use 50%), 1600 cycles (use 20%).

LifePO4 = start with 2200 cycles with 80%, can achieve 3200 cycles with less than 40% of discharge.

AUX battery is not build to supply current.
You MUST always use the "green car light with arrow" if you stay in car for phone, lunch or others activities ...

http://www.automobile-propre.com/forums/kia-soul-ev/le-kia-soul-ev-ne-demarre-plus-la-batterie-12v-est-cuite-t4951-10.html#p57987

Be carefull to understand thaht if the car is 100% charged and the charge cable connected, it's the AUX battery that it provides all electricity of the car ...