TA Powers Up

Always with an urge to keep it real as well as get as objective as possible, we have been collecting some test, measurement and bench rig equipment here on Talk Audio, to better equip the reviews. So far, AudioControl have placed one of their industry-standard Anniversary Edition SA-3055 Real Time Analysers with us, so we can measure audio response, crossover points, relative efficiency of speakers and more. Now, we have just taken delivery of a set of kit we’ve always wanted.
A completely bonkers battery and a serious charger to stuff it back up again. Not for hours of use without an alternator but for testing a bunch of amplifiers. Used along with a digital multimeter, we’ll be able to test amplifiers to their lowest impedance loads, with silly huge amperages of sucky-current, as well as tell how efficiently the amp is using the juice.

The rugged military-grade battery is an Odyssey PC925 – the same brand as starts the western world’s tanks. Even at 70% discharged! The same sort of batteries have been sponsored into Ian ‘ICEMAN’ Pinder’s insane Astra van. We have one small one, he has a bank of big ones. Iceman’s also getting a pair of 150A alternators. All courtesy of Merlin Equipment who can power a huge truck’s battery bank or start your heart. (They supply most every ambulance service in the UK.)
Odyssey batteries use AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) technology. This gives deep cycling with huge cranking power. Think of a sprinter who can run a marathon. Cranking power can be up to 925A for a burst as well as do 400 discharge cycles down to 80% empty, called DOD or depth of discharge. Service life is eight to ten years (float) or three to ten years (service) and Merlin warrant them for two or three years depending upon use in ‘power sports’ or else marine or automotive application.
Even freezing, their output is double to triple a normal battery’s and they have no limit to inrush current so you can stuff power back in them like a brute. The lovely charger Merlin sent me is a full 10A model. Having said that, unlike cheese and normal batteries, the stored shelf life isn’t just a few weeks but rather up to two years at room temperature, even longer if you keep it in a chilly place!

I’ve had this 3Kw PowerBass amp here for a while. It’s going to get a bloody good pull-through now and I even have a weapons-grade woofer to go with it. Expect huge power to be being wielded in the reviews section soon!
Merlin equipment also powered the K&M van. Nuff said.

If you too need legendary wellie, call Matt Sheldrake at Merlin Equipment on 01202 69 79 79 or hit www.merlinequipment.com
– it’s well ‘ard!