Automotive Batteries Battery Service Batteries in Winter Battery Replacement Tips
Battery Ratings
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
Indicates how many amps a battery can deliver for 30 seconds and
maintain at least 7.2 volts at 32 F.
Reserve Capacity (RC)
Reserve capacity is the time in minutes that a new, fully charged battery
will deliver 25 amperes at 80 degrees F and maintain a terminal voltage
equal to, or greater than, 1.75 volts per cell.
What it Means
A higher CCA will give you more raw starting power and a high RC will
help keep a battery going longer when an alternator fails or something is
left on such as the headlights. Some batteries will have a high CCA but a
small RC, which can leave you stranded if you leave your door open for a
while, or let the car sit for a week.
Never use a battery with a lower capacity rating than is recommended by
the manufacturer, not only will it fail early, some very cold morning it
may leave you sitting.
A 4 year battery may be at 50% in 2 years, always buy a five or six year
battery.
Why they go Bad
Heat and vibration are the biggest battery killers, however, many
other factors can cause battery failure, such as: corroded cables and
terminals, sulfating, alternator/regulator malfunction, and electric draws
Jump starting
When jump starting a car it is important to make sure you shield your eyes
and face from the battery at all times and follow these steps:
Charging
If a battery is discharged rapidly, it should be recharged rapidly.
If it’s discharged slowly, it should be recharged slowly on a trickle
charger. (This could take 8 – 10 hours on a fully discharged battery)
Note: Overcharging a battery will damage the internal plates and shorten
battery life.