What should cold cranking amps be

One of the measurements that can be determined from those standardized tests is how many cold cranking amps CCA a battery can generate. So how is this determined? Why did they pick a cold environment? Ask anyone who lives in a cold climate with a high-mileage diesel truck- it takes a long time to start some vehicles, whether that is due to high compression engines, extremely cold temperatures or both. Measuring cold cranking amps gives someone a good idea of what they can expect from their battery in some of the worst conditions possible for starting a vehicle.

However, those are exceptions and not the rule. Even in those exceptional cases, the CCA rating for a battery will still offer someone a general idea of how their battery is designed to perform in those conditions.

Even though some areas of the United States will dip down into sub-zero temperatures, most vehicles just don't see those types of conditions on a regular basis, if ever. With that knowledge, does it make sense for a Corvette owner to select a new battery because it offers a lot of cranking power in sub-zero temperatures? Probably not.

What about a Duramax diesel owner in Florida? Same deal. As this table shows, the need for excessive amounts of CCA to start the engine has changed due to advancements in vehicle technology such as gear reduction starter motors supported with low cut in alternators. Delco Remy a leading auto electrical parts manufacturer in the USA place warnings about the risks of damage to their starter motors from excessive CCA.

With such a wide range of similar looking black batteries available in the market place claiming to offer the highest CCA ratings, it is difficult to identify the most suitable battery for the vehicle or application. Considering the detrimental effect higher CCA can have on overall life and a vehicles starter motors, understanding what the vehicle is used for and the operating conditions including temperature is key to selecting the most appropriate battery.

Selecting a battery based on the design features and internal components more suited to the vehicles specifications and operating conditions is key to choosing the correct battery. Century Yuasa have an extensive range of batteries that are designed and made in Australia specifically to handle our unique conditions and harsh environment. Toggle navigation Navigation. But what does that Cold Cranking Amp rating mean? What Is CA? So, how many Cold Cranking Amps does an internal combustion engine need?

The cranking power an automotive battery requires to start an engine varies. For example, a CC engine is rounded to 2. How do these numbers work with the car battery CCA?

Applying that rule of thumb we mentioned earlier would mean: A CCA battery would be more than enough for a cubic inch V4 engine, but insufficient for a cubic inch V8 engine. How does temperature affect cranking power? Cold temperature influences the engine and battery fluids. The PHCA rating is geared towards batteries made for the motor racing industry.

So, use the CCA rating as a starting point. What about Peak Amps? Battery Type And Technology Do you need a starter battery or a deep cycle battery? For example, a Ah battery will supply 5A of current for 20 hours. Warranty Coverage The battery should have a hassle-free warranty that includes a free-replacement time frame.

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