Uprating Car Battery

[eSCHEn]

My wife's car's battery is kaput. It's an old (1998) model Passat and looks like the original unit so it's done well.

I'm about to replace it but I'd like to uprate the capacity as it's pretty puny (type 083, ~36AH and about 300A crank) and frequently it's run down through basic use.

Now; I am comfortable that any cranking power would be fine as it's only a 1.8 and the capacity shouldn't matter but just before I get a new battery, am I missing anything here? I don't want to end up with the wrong one as this is going to be online and sending one back will be a PITA.

Obviously dimensions and fitting orientation will be compared as well.

Also, anyone got any decent suppliers they've used? I was just gonna lucky it on Google.

 

[BrokenBiker]

bigger battery doenst make much difference...with regards to amperage, the car will only pull what it needs...just make sure your alternator is up to charging it again...

if you just go slightly higher (i think my megane had a similar battery on it, i swapped it for the alfa one when it died and now it has 560 cranking amps and 58aH capacity) it should be fine

 

[AndyStobbs]

Just space constraints, and wire length/terminal layout as you say.

Bigger the better.

 

[rikrobson]

if its the original battery is nearly 18 years old
there's no reason a battery of the same type won't last as long

 

[eSCHEn]

Good, glad I hadn't missed anything dumb

Just had that horrible "waiting for the second shoe to drop" feeling

Aye I wasn't gonna go crazy on more amps as the alternator won't be up to it. It's just that for the same money I could get another 30% capacity easily.

 

[rich r]

A bigger alternator will be able to charge the higher capacity battery more quickly, but as said above, the starter motor will only take what it takes. Once the engine's running the battery's not really doing much other than helping smooth the alternator's output. It's really more a case of what will physically fit.

My 1991 Pajero has two 110Ah batteries in parallel, giving around 1200A of cranking amps That's what you get on an old fashioned diesel from northern Japan where it gets a bit cold in winter. Starts in under 3 seconds (including glowplug time) even when it was -20C a few years back.

 

[eSCHEn]

It's mainly so that you can listen to the stereo for a bit without having to have the engine running.

Thanks all, shall go any find a suitable physical sized one now

 

[Spark plug]

From experiance I've given up buying cheep batteries and narrowed it down to 3 makes that I will buy:

• Varta
• Exide
• Bosch

I you fit one of these you'll not go far wrong, but I would fit a slightly bigger one.

 

[eSCHEn]

From experiance I've given up buying cheep batteries and narrowed it down to 3 makes that I will buy:

• Varta
• Exide
• Bosch

I you fit one of these you'll not go far wrong, but I would fit a slightly bigger one.

Took the thoughts out of my head bud. Exactly the spec/manf I was going for.

 

[BrokenBiker]

im reluctant to offer advice about which brand is best, as i have seen the insides of a lot of them and personally wouldnt buy many of the offerings...that said the general public are unlikely to be able to buy the batteries i would use so if it came down to it i would be looking for a block with a decent amperage output, a decent temperature range and a good warranty to back it up

 

[ford34/2]

Took the thoughts out of my head bud. Exactly the spec/manf I was going for.

Bought my last two for 1900 TDI Golfs here, both died near to each other, 12+ years old, Originals were Varta. Excellent price, delivery, service. Even E Bay couldnt match. Replaced with Varta again although sightly upgraded spec. I think delivery was with DPD and the excellent tracking that goes with their service. Hope these ones last another 12 years.!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/

Stan

 

[PhillipM]

ECP's own Lion batteries are the bottom end Exides rebadged...

 

[Kayos]

I have just swapped the battery on my Freelander, put the diesel one in instead of the petrol, no problems charging it and it was always going to fit

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I would look at battery suppliers application lists as they often specify original type and also a recommended bigger alternative.
Size doesn't always mean larger capacity. My Mahindra has a huge battery but it's "old technology" and the small one on my Smart is probably larger capacity.
I buy batteries off eBay as haven't found them cheaper elsewhere - despite looking. I buy reputable brands - Bosch or Yusa and have never had a problem. They are delivered next day.

 

[chevy2]

Optima make great batteries,
They do a deep cycle version, suitable for vehicles where you run accesories like stereos, tv's etc whilst the engine isnt running,
theycan run down much lower and still crank the engine over.

 

[PhillipM]

But they also tend to have less cranking amps/higher internal resistance than a normal battery for a given size.

 

[BrokenBiker]

But they also tend to have less cranking amps/higher internal resistance than a normal battery for a given size.

the deep cycle batteries are only really good for mobile homes where you may have a seperate battery for the engine anyway...i wouldnt put one on a normal car

 

[PhillipM]

Neither would I, but there are some crossover ones designed to do both these days. Still less money and more CCA with a normal battery though.

'course, if you're really flush you can spend what the car is worth on a LiFePo

 

[octo0072000]

A bigger alternator will be able to charge the higher capacity battery more quickly, but as said above, the starter motor will only take what it takes. Once the engine's running the battery's not really doing much other than helping smooth the alternator's output. It's really more a case of what will physically fit.

My 1991 Pajero has two 110Ah batteries in parallel, giving around 1200A of cranking amps That's what you get on an old fashioned diesel from northern Japan where it gets a bit cold in winter. Starts in under 3 seconds (including glowplug time) even when it was -20C a few years back.

your Pajero has the winter pack for cold climate should have a heated fuel filter as well as twin relays for the glow plugs the glow plugs stay on half power for a fair time cant remember exact time, should be a oblong sticker on the right hand side of rear door half way up
pajeros only have one battery normally if not winter pack

 

[eSCHEn]

Took the thoughts out of my head bud. Exactly the spec/manf I was going for.

Bought my last two for 1900 TDI Golfs here, both died near to each other, 12+ years old, Originals were Varta. Excellent price, delivery, service. Even E Bay couldnt match. Replaced with Varta again although sightly upgraded spec. I think delivery was with DPD and the excellent tracking that goes with their service. Hope these ones last another 12 years.!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/

Stan

Fantastic Stan, not that there was any doubt but you defo are the man

Ordered one of these for £46 delivered tomorrow: http://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/product/D59/