The Battery
The Aurion Calcium battery is a sealed, maintenance-free 12-volt battery. Its calcium-alloy technology gives dependable starting power every day.
How it works
A step-by-step look at how a lead-acid battery stores energy and starts your engine.
How it works
Drag to rotate the battery, tap Explode to pull it apart, and tap any part to learn what it does. Then watch the chemistry in Charge Flow and Crank It.
The Aurion Calcium battery is a sealed, maintenance-free 12-volt battery. Its calcium-alloy technology gives dependable starting power every day.
Cut it open and you find six cells in a row. Each makes about 2 volts, and together they give the 12 volts your car needs to start.
Each cell is packed with interleaved plates, positive lead dioxide and negative sponge lead, held apart by fine separators. More plate area means more power.
The cells are filled with electrolyte, a mix of sulphuric acid and water. It lets ions move between the plates to store and release energy.
Cast lead straps join the plates in each cell and link the cells in series to the two terminals, positive (+) and negative (−), where power leaves and returns.
Turn the key and the acid reacts with the plates, releasing a surge of electrons. That current flows from the terminals to crank the engine, and driving recharges the battery.
Calcium-alloy grids greatly reduce water loss and self-discharge, so an Aurion Calcium battery stays sealed, maintenance-free and ready to go for longer.
The current a battery can deliver to start an engine in the cold, measured at −18 °C for 30 seconds while holding above 7.2 volts. Always match or exceed your vehicle's recommended CCA.
How many minutes the battery can run the car's essentials by itself if the alternator fails, measured as the minutes it can supply 25 amps before dropping to 10.5 volts.
Total energy stored, roughly amps multiplied by hours of supply.
A rested, fully charged battery reads about 12.6–12.8 V. With the engine running you'll see 13.7–14.7 V, which is the alternator charging.
How flat the battery gets before it's recharged. Shallower discharges mean a much longer life.
Sealed for life, so it never needs topping up with water.
"12-volt" is just the name. The resting voltage, measured with the engine off after the battery has rested, tells you how charged it really is.
| 12.6 V + | 100% | Fully charged |
|---|---|---|
| 12.4 V | 75% | Healthy |
| 12.2 V | 50% | Half: recharge soon |
| 12.0 V | 25% | Low |
| 11.8 V − | 0% | Flat: recharge now |
The standard Australian and Asian fitment. Tapered round posts on top, with the positive (17.9 mm) larger than the negative (15.9 mm) to prevent reverse connection.
The European fitment. The positive terminal is on the right, reversed from standard Australian fitment, with smaller recessed posts. The LN number gives the physical size, and modern European cars use AGM.
Smaller posts than SAE (12.7 mm positive, 11.1 mm negative), found mainly on older Japanese models.
| Code | L × W × H (mm) | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| LN1 | 207 × 175 × 190 | Small European city cars |
| LN2 | 242 × 175 × 190 | VW Polo, Audi A1, Mini Cooper |
| LN3 | 278 × 175 × 190 | Audi A3 / Q3, VW Golf / Tiguan, BMW 1–3 Series |
| LN4 | 315 × 175 × 190 | Audi A4 / A5 / Q5, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes C-Class |
| LN5 | 353 × 175 × 190 | Audi A6 / Q7, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes E / S-Class |
| LN6 | 394 × 175 × 190 | BMW X5 / X6, Audi A8, prestige SUVs |
Modern European cars with a battery management system need AGM, and the system must be re-coded after fitting.
In the real world
A battery works hardest when you are relying on it most. A few simple habits help it last.
A workshop or auto electrician can test the battery and charging system together. It is the quickest way to know where you stand.
Clean terminals, tight connections and a secure hold-down all help a battery do its job.
Vehicles, caravans and boats that sit for long periods slowly drain their battery. A suitable smart charger keeps it ready.