hi guys, quick question.
I currently drive a 1991 mazda 626 and the battery is pretty badly corroded and its pretty old. Anyhow, I think I can convince my dad to get a new one but at the same time, I want to see if I can trick him into getting a battery that would help out my system. Any Suggetions? What info do u guys need? I know nothing about the batteries?
My Current system is....
one 12in. Alpine Type R
One MTX 502 roadthunder
A pioneer HU
CDT 6.5s
JBL 4''
P.S. Will this help the dimming of the lights or do i need a new alternator?
Replies (4)
swez on 05/19/2005 19:45:13
A combination of things may stop the light dimming and still use the stock ALT.
1. Upgrade the "Big 3" wires
2. Buy a new BAT with a high CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating
The Big 3 wires are the ALT to BAT + wire, BAT - to grounding lug on body and the last wire is often a flat braided cable that connects the engine block to the body as a ground.
Here, we want to use #4 gage wires for all connections. There is a very good pictorial of how one person did their upgrade:
http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?g3357_1913
http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=007801
Swez
PS Most stock BAT's are rated at 500-650 CCA. In your application, look for one that can deliver ~800+ CCA. This should help a lot if your present BAT is > 4 years old. If you live in a mild winter climate, a "DEEP CYCLE" BAT is a very good option. It can take many heavy discharge cycles and rebound to full performance for many years. A typical engine start BAT will fail prematurely if it is discharged more than a few times below its ability to start the car.
Yes, Deep Cycle BAT's cost a bit more... but they deliver a lot more as well in these types of installs.
Mr._Miyagi on 05/19/2005 21:28:29
Would a 800 CCA battery be good for Chicago? I just read on one website that what battery you should buy depends on what the climate is like where u live.
"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. "
So does the fact that I live in Chicago change the CCA rating u suggest I look for of is 800 still good? Chicago gets pretty hot and also pretty cold so i dont really know. Thanks for your help in this new endevour
Mr._Miyagi on 05/19/2005 21:51:05
is this a good battery and a good price?
Optima Red Top Automotive 12V Starting Battery with 800 CCA for $120, found it on autozone.com
Also, what is the difference between Red Top and Yellow Top?
Sorry bout all the questions, but I'm completely new to batteries
swez on 05/20/2005 08:31:45
Red Top is a standard car start BAT. Yellow Top is a deep cycle BAT. They also have a Blue Top Marine version as well.
The Yellow Top is a dual purpose BAT. Great for start functions and heavy discharge cycles too. Have a look at this page from Optima's web site. Should help you in your decision.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive/deep_cycle.html
Swez
I currently drive a 1991 mazda 626 and the battery is pretty badly corroded and its pretty old. Anyhow, I think I can convince my dad to get a new one but at the same time, I want to see if I can trick him into getting a battery that would help out my system. Any Suggetions? What info do u guys need? I know nothing about the batteries?
My Current system is....
one 12in. Alpine Type R
One MTX 502 roadthunder
A pioneer HU
CDT 6.5s
JBL 4''
P.S. Will this help the dimming of the lights or do i need a new alternator?
Replies (4)
swez on 05/19/2005 19:45:13
A combination of things may stop the light dimming and still use the stock ALT.
1. Upgrade the "Big 3" wires
2. Buy a new BAT with a high CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating
The Big 3 wires are the ALT to BAT + wire, BAT - to grounding lug on body and the last wire is often a flat braided cable that connects the engine block to the body as a ground.
Here, we want to use #4 gage wires for all connections. There is a very good pictorial of how one person did their upgrade:
http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?g3357_1913
http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=007801
Swez
PS Most stock BAT's are rated at 500-650 CCA. In your application, look for one that can deliver ~800+ CCA. This should help a lot if your present BAT is > 4 years old. If you live in a mild winter climate, a "DEEP CYCLE" BAT is a very good option. It can take many heavy discharge cycles and rebound to full performance for many years. A typical engine start BAT will fail prematurely if it is discharged more than a few times below its ability to start the car.
Yes, Deep Cycle BAT's cost a bit more... but they deliver a lot more as well in these types of installs.
Mr._Miyagi on 05/19/2005 21:28:29
Would a 800 CCA battery be good for Chicago? I just read on one website that what battery you should buy depends on what the climate is like where u live.
"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. "
So does the fact that I live in Chicago change the CCA rating u suggest I look for of is 800 still good? Chicago gets pretty hot and also pretty cold so i dont really know. Thanks for your help in this new endevour
Mr._Miyagi on 05/19/2005 21:51:05
is this a good battery and a good price?
Optima Red Top Automotive 12V Starting Battery with 800 CCA for $120, found it on autozone.com
Also, what is the difference between Red Top and Yellow Top?
Sorry bout all the questions, but I'm completely new to batteries
swez on 05/20/2005 08:31:45
Red Top is a standard car start BAT. Yellow Top is a deep cycle BAT. They also have a Blue Top Marine version as well.
The Yellow Top is a dual purpose BAT. Great for start functions and heavy discharge cycles too. Have a look at this page from Optima's web site. Should help you in your decision.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive/deep_cycle.html
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
