Battery amperage

[rayf3262]

From one website: '4.2 Optima : 50ah (815CCA) is equivalent to 80ah of normal type battery' so not as low as it seems hopefully?
Are these USA batteries REALY as good as they claim, to justify the £150 cost? A Bosch 74ah 630/750 CCA is more like £95 & has a 5yr g't instead of 2yr for the Optima.
I appreciate the high-tech design but am a bit put-off by the short g't, it doesn’t inspire confidence.
I've been dithering for 3 months now as my battery is 'hanging on' but does go flat if not used for 2 weeks so I charge it if not used for 3 or 4 days LOL(not). I will have to replace it before the camping season starts but must have something reliable & long lived.

Mine has been in use for over 3 years now with no issues whatsoever.
Starter spins the engine well, as low as -15.
During the first year I discovered all four of the glow plugs were shot, so had been starting through the first winter with no glow plugs!

As for leaving it unused they claim a very low self discharge rate, so should be good for intermittent use too.

The principal reason I bought the Optima was due to the fact it was on the shelf at locally at www.multicell.co.uk, but I think it turned out to be a decent choice, the next 3 or 4 years will tell.......

 

[micktheshed]

Mine has been in use for over 3 years now with no issues whatsoever.
Starter spins the engine well, as low as -15.
During the first year I discovered all four of the glow plugs were shot, so had been starting through the first winter with no glow plugs!

As for leaving it unused they claim a very low self discharge rate, so should be good for intermittent use too.

The principal reason I bought the Optima was due to the fact it was on the shelf at locally at www.multicell.co.uk, but I think it turned out to be a decent choice, the next 3 or 4 years will tell.......

Thanks for the link they are near enough to me to pick one up. Have contacted them for a price. I have the same Terrano as you so at least I can be sure it will fit LOL.

 

[96terrano]

are yuasa a good brand? my uncle used them and says they are great, he made a power supply from them for his amateur radio

 

[SPARKIEDOO]

ahh ok, well then, bigger the better:thumb2

THATS WHAT YOUR GIRLFREIND WILL SAY :lol:lol:lol

 

[96terrano]

THATS WHAT YOUR GIRLFREIND WILL SAY :lol:lol:lol

well then, i should be ok........it's err a LWB :naughty

 

[Banshee]

I carry my 6D Cell MagLite around with me in the Maverick

 

[96terrano]

I carry my 6D Cell MagLite around with me in the Maverick

I've got a 4, D-cell 95 led maglite style torch, Its quite good, got it from my min for Christmas

 

[glanrichbex]

U wont over amp anything as every electrical item will only draw what it needs and not draw anymore:doh

Exactly right :thumbs

If you do uprate your alternator, then you will have to uprate your wiring if you are thinking of drawing the extra current. Otherwise it's a pointless exercise. :nenau

 

[96terrano]

i found a 750ah battery:naughty would that work? also a 500ah one to that'll fit the the space:sly will the alternator be able to keep it charged?

 

[rustic]

i found a 750ah battery:naughty would that work? also a 500ah one to that'll fit the the space:sly will the alternator be able to keep it charged?

I would love to see a battery of that capacity, the same size as a Mav/ Terrano battery.

Let Top Gear know, it will solve the battery capacity problems with electric cars.

I suggest you re- read the battery label:doh:doh

There are a lot of things that need replacing on your motor, I couldn't afford to run that.

I spent £6.50 on mine last year. (Washer pump) Other than fuel and service items.

Still has it's original starter, alternator, hoses, ball joints... I could go on...

 

[96terrano]

I would love to see a battery of that capacity, the same size as a Mav/ Terrano battery.

Let Top Gear know, it will solve the battery capacity problems with electric cars.

I suggest you re- read the battery label:doh:doh

There are a lot of things that need replacing on your motor, I couldn't afford to run that.

I spent £6.50 on mine last year. (Washer pump) Other than fuel and service items.

Still has it's original starter, alternator, hoses, ball joints... I could go on...

yeah i'll find the battery, was a halfords one

yes mine might of needed a lot doing but most of it will not need to be touched for another 10/12 years

also ive got lots of parts from my other trucks so not really costing

plus it's fun doing the work too:thumbs

 

[rustic]

plus it's fun doing the work too:thumbs

my first car was a mini 850, a complete rust bucket, I learnt then that to deal with rust was to stop it happening in the first place.

my next car was a Toyota Corolla, 1200 E the tops of the front wings rotted through within 3 years from new.

this was how cars were in the Mid 70's:doh:doh

 

[glanrichbex]

i found a 750ah battery:naughty would that work? also a 500ah one to that'll fit the the space:sly will the alternator be able to keep it charged?

The alternator would charge it to its maximum capacity and keep it there no problem. Basically it's a bucket of water and you've bought a bigger bucket.... more like a dusbin sized bucket

You could parallel 10 or 20 of these batteries and your alternator would still charge them and keep them full....just as long as you don't pull more from them than what you are putting in with your alternator. All it means is that you have a very large resevoir.

Now for the payback bit.....

A lead acid battery needs to be cycled (exercised) - if you scoop a bit of water from the top of the bucket and fill it back up then it will not last as long as a battery that has been half emptied and charged up again periodically. If you wish to have a massive capacity then you must use it to its potential or it will deteoriate and become a low capacity battery in no time. :doh

 

[96terrano]

The alternator would charge it to its maximum capacity and keep it there no problem. Basically it's a bucket of water and you've bought a bigger bucket.... more like a dusbin sized bucket

You could parallel 10 or 20 of these batteries and your alternator would still charge them and keep them full....just as long as you don't pull more from them than what you are putting in with your alternator. All it means is that you have a very large resevoir.

Now for the payback bit.....

A lead acid battery needs to be cycled (exercised) - if you scoop a bit of water from the top of the bucket and fill it back up then it will not last as long as a battery that has been half emptied and charged up again periodically. If you wish to have a massive capacity then you must use it to its potential or it will deteoriate and become a low capacity battery in no time. :doh

Ahh thanks mate, that's actually a great way of explaining it:thumbs

I'll need to find a high amp battery as I will listen to my music and run a lot off it when the engine is off, but obviously it can't be ht high as it needs to be as you say 'exercised'