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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Feb 27, 2008, 9:26 AM
Post #1 of 2
(1286 views)
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Car Battery
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Please let me know what the following means (appears on the battery)??? -
582 AMPS and 125 Minutes
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 27, 2008, 10:52 AM
Post #2 of 2
(1274 views)
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Re: Car Battery Power Requirements
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Found this pre done by Exide. Remember that battery ratings are VERY ralated to the temp they would be used. The reserve power is the expected amount of time it should hold a specific amount of power without a recharge.
While I'm here: Battery life starts when it's filled and marked on the case in plain code or encripted - it's known exactly. They age from that date - period. They age without even being used and age much faster when run down. A few discharges can ruin a good battery.
Discharged batteries can freeze and crack. Charged ones will not. Just my own observations is that you can't have too much amperage available but don't be too fooled as when the battery is constructed for a certain size/dimention just packing things in closer is a problem with long life and they don't tolerate vibrations or trauma very well.
If you want to "marry" a battery check out the Gel-Cell ones. They tolerate abuse much better and cost you for it. They are not sensitive to being tipped or turned upside down as regular one are.
I will toss any battery in question if more than 3 years old! I don't care what they state when marketing them the dependability drops off drastically after that - just look at the pro- rating chart which is telling.
They are extraordinarily important the newer cars/vehicles get. Electronic stuff doesn't like inconsistancies of power and electric motors never did. That fluttering sound so common with a discharged battery when you try to start a car is to protect the starter not to amuse you! Oddly, the low power can cause it to overheat and damage itself - same with most other electric motors in vehicles but not all.
How's that for more than you wanted to know?
T
AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES
7. WHAT DO I LOOK FOR IN BUYING A NEW BATTERY?
Battery buying strategy for use in Canada, for example, is different than in the hot climates found in Texas or Arizona. In the colder climates, higher CCA ratings are more important. In a hot climate, higher RC ratings are more important than CCA; however, the CCA rating must be satisfied and match or exceed your car's OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) cranking amp requirement.
7.1. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
The most important consideration is that the battery's CCA rating MEETS OR EXCEEDS, your car's OEM cranking requirement in your climate. CCAs are the discharge load measured in amps that a new, fully charged battery, operating at 0 o F (-17.8 o C), can deliver for 30 seconds and while maintaining the voltage above 7.2 volts. Batteries are sometimes advertised by their Cranking Performance Amps (CA), Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) measured at 32o F (0 o C), or Hot Cranking Amps (HCA) measured at 80 o F (26.7 o C). These measurements are not the same as CCA. Do not be misled by CA, MCA or HCA ratings. To convert CAs to CCAs, multiply the CAs by 0.8. To convert HCAs to CCAs, multiply HCAs by 0.69.]
To start a 4-cylinder gasoline engine, you will need approximately 600-700 CCA; 6-cylinder gasoline engine, 700-800 CCA; 8-cylinder gasoline engine, 750-850 CCA; 3-cylinder diesel engine, 600-700 CCA; 4-cylinder diesel engine, 700-800 CCA; and 8-cylinder diesel engine, 800-1200 CCA.
In hot climates, buying batteries with double or triple the cranking amps that exceed your starting requirement can be a WASTE of money. However, in colder climates the higher CCA rating the better, due to increased power required to crank a sluggish engine and the inefficiency of a cold battery. As batteries age, they are also less capable of producing CCAs. According to the Battery Council International, diesel engines require 220% to 300% more current than their gasoline counterparts; winter starting requires 140% to 170% more current than the summer.
(source - Exide battery)
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