Author Topic: what battery rating to buy?? (Read 6703 times)

Justin · « **on:** December 28, 2004, 07:47:23 am »

hey guys i am in mid michagan area and the temps often get down to -5 to -10 degrees F, what battery rating would you guys buy??

what i am wondering is how many Cold Cranking Amps should I get
Sams club has a 925 CCA for like 60 bucks that i think i am going to buy

let me know what you guys are running
thanks guys
later
Justin

Rat407 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2004, 09:27:13 am »

Get the highest CCA's that you can get. That sounds like a good battery. The more CCA's the better, especially when it is cold out. I also hear that the Optima battery is a really good buy, the red top one. Don't forget while your at it to make sure all your electrical cables are good and have good clean contacts to the battery, engine, and chassis.

I installed a 1gage cable on my positive side and will do the same on my neg cable once things around here slow down some and my garage gets built.

Hammy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2004, 02:20:53 pm »

I just put a 1200ca (1050cca) battery in my golf. Plus I put a 1gauge wire from the battery to the starter, and two 1gauge cables from the negative to the engine for grounds. Make sure to paint the exposed ends so they corrode less. Good luck!

jtanguay · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2004, 07:00:25 pm »

the actual cold crank rating for the 1.6 TD is 1000. I've got 800 in my car and it turns over at -20C (die hard battery). 1200 cold cranking amps... holy!! Is it regular size for your car? or bigger??? Must be nice. Your car will start at -35C or lower even!

chrissev · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2004, 11:21:15 pm »

Quote from: "Moonstone"

I just put a 1200ca (1050cca) battery in my golf. Plus I put a 1gauge wire from the battery to the starter, and two 1gauge cables from the negative to the engine for grounds. Make sure to paint the exposed ends so they corrode less. Good luck!

where did you get your battery and cables? I have a 750CCA in mine and it starts OK but I am interested in upgrading. You are in Ontario same as me so I probably could go to the store you went to.

Justin · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2004, 05:15:06 am »

what brand is that 1050 CCA battery and what part # or application is it for?

RAMMSTEIN · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2004, 09:21:27 am »

I have an Optima red top 34R (reversed posts) and it has 800CCA and it's plenty.

1050CCA, it must be a big ass battery!

The Optima is quite smaller than a regular battery, but the weight is about the same. :wink:

srivett · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2004, 05:52:22 pm »

A stock sized 650CCA Interstate is all you need. Lower CCA batteries have more reserve capacity from what I was told at Interstate so a high CCA battery will work against you.

Cheers, Steve

Hammy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2004, 07:46:46 pm »

It hasn't appeared to work against me yet. Time will tell. It started at -25C last week without the block heater being plugged in.

I was mistaken about the cca figure, it's 1000cca, the battery is just an Eliminator from Canadian Tire. Part # 10-7424-6, 1000cca, 1200ca. They wouldn't sell me this battery, because its not for a VW. So, I looked up a battery for a Cummins Dodge, told them I had a '96 3/4 ton Cummins Dodge, and they gave me the battery with warranty. As for the cables, I made them, and soildered all the joints and cable ends.

Hammy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2004, 07:51:40 pm »

Also had to slightly mod the battery area. I did it at the end of last winter, so it's hard to remember, but I think I had to shim (slightly) the battery from underneath, so that it would tighten down, otherwise it fit great.

I would certainly consider one of the Optima batteries like Rammstien has. They are supposed to be great.

Justin · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2004, 05:34:49 am »

thanks moonstone thats exactly what i was looking for since i know that it will fit

thanks guys
Justin

chrissev · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2004, 08:11:55 pm »

Thanks Moonstone. Will pick one up. Should make my Jetta start great (once I get the injection pump out and get it rebuilt).

Red Rabbit · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2007, 02:18:02 pm »

Reviving an old thread.......trying to find a new battery for a 85 jetta 1.6 N/A.... tried a few place only to be told stock battery is 650CCA, I want to get at least 850 or is 650 really enough if engine is in good health (which it is)? I have a gas car i use really cold winter days...so i'm only using the diesel down to appx -10c......

burn_your_money · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2007, 03:45:52 pm »

I have a 650CCA in my TD and it starts at -30. No problems with the battery to date. It's a VW battery, probably cost the PO an arm and leg. It actually could be 800CCA, I have too many cars :roll:

Darkness_is_spreading · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2007, 04:06:56 pm »

Whatever u do don't sit there and keep cranking, you will toast that starter in no time. All the current, ie the real factor in generating massive motor torque is only achieved with alot of amperage. Running higher gauge wires is a good idea to limit the heat build up in the wires, but perfect for cold startups if u don't have a plug in for your block heater.