Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 18, 1990 TAG: 9007170118
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Makers of automotive products have begun selling dual-source batteries, regular 12-volt automobile batteries with a built-in backup energy source. When the car battery has been drained, a switch on the side of the battery can be flipped to obtain power from the alternate source.
Once under way, the car's alternator will recharge the main battery.
Not only is this a potential trouble-saver when the battery is dead, but both energy sources can be used at once when a car engine needs as much power as possible to start, like on cold mornings. But once the car has been started, only one power source should be used; if both are used simultaneously for an extended time, the battery will drain altogether and require jumper cables for starting or recharging at a service station.
Dual-source batteries, which have been on the market since early spring, cost $100 to $130, as against $50 to $75 for regular automobile batteries.
The dual-source batteries should last about as long as regular batteries, about five years.
The batteries on the market include the Sears DieHard DualStart, Champion Switch, Walmart Dual Start Battery, Energizer EverStart and X-II Booster.
They are available at most auto parts stores.
by CNB