Cold Cranking Amps for Batteries

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DoubleOSeven
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Cold Cranking Amps for Batteries

Post by DoubleOSeven »

What I know...Batteries are rated according to their Amp Hours and Cold Cranking Amps. Loosely, Amp Hours is how long the battery will last if it’s not re-charged; Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is the power they have to turn the engine over sufficiently to get it started in cold conditions.

What I don't know...What is the ideal CCA for our engines, is there a calculation for recommended CCA against cubic centimeters (cc's) for example?

I don't want to spend extra money on CCA's I don't need or do I ??

Our engines:
1.6 L H4 (petrol, air-cooled) Horizontal
1.9 L H4 (petrol, water-cooled)
2.0 L H4 (petrol, air-cooled)
2.1 L H4 (petrol, water-cooled)
1.6 L I4 (diesel) Inline
1.7 L I4 (diesel)

CarParts4Less has the following:
£53 (500CCA)
£78 (540CCA)
£86 (600CCA)


I tend to ignore branding these days, probably all made in the same factory

All same size, to fit our vans.
Length: 247mm
Width: 175mm
Height: 175mm
1990 Volkswagen Transporter 2.1 Manual
2005 Porsche 911 3.6 Manual
2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Automatic

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bigherb
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Re: Cold Cranking Amps for Batteries

Post by bigherb »

CCA really is more related to the compression ratio, not the size of the engine The higher the compression the more CCA is needed.
AH is is how many amps can be drawn from the battery in a given time before the battery drains to a set threshold (not totally flat).
T25 petrol engines are relatively low compression any battery above 400cca would be OK
1982 Camper 1970 1500 Beetle Various Skoda's, Ariel Arrow

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itchyfeet
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Re: Cold Cranking Amps for Batteries

Post by itchyfeet »

Dunno whats needed but mine are 71Ah 670A cold crank Exide Excel and work just fine even when very cold and it doesn't want to fire, plenty of cranking time
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1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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