dual battery replacement

[Katabatic]

I have been browsing the posts but I can not find a definitive answer on this.
I have dual batteries, is there a maximum Cold Cranking Amps rating allowable in the Deli per battery?
its a 12 volt system, so would getting two 600 CCA's still give you only 600CCA's upon startup or 1200?

So in short i need to replace both my batteries, what CCA rating should I get, oh and I live in Ottawa (Brrrrr)

[Jester]

I'd suggest just replace them with similar setup you have now...why mess with what's workin' ?
That said, the more cranking, the better where you're at, eh?

[Duke]

I just put two new batteries in today. The old ones were Japanese and had the little window to show you the state of the charge. One was ok, the other looked like it was in need of a changing. So I got Interstate 85 batteries, they have 800 cca. Noticed a big difference starting up, but I should know better first thing in the morning. We don't get too cold here, the odd week of winter and the rest rain but we go into the interior alot so we don't want to be stuck on some out of the way track with no juice in the van. I don't think the cold crank doubles with two batteries, it's just less load on the system.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I got two cold cranking, deep cycle "Globelites" at 550 amps apiece from Polar Batteries on Boundary for $150.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/12v-plug-a-l ... -3103.html

Falco.

[Katabatic]

I guess what im asking is; at start-up are you using the max say 600 cca's and the dual batteries just extending the cranking time before they're depleted, or does having two batteries double the CCA's at startup (eg. 1200CCA's)? will replacing it with one higher CCA's de just as good or better? say an optima 1000cca?

[EricN]

Doubling the batteries will increase the amount of power available. So your 600 cca will give you 1200 available. However if you have 1200 cca available, that does not mean your truck will use that much. Chances are it is only about 400 amps to start. The higher capacity is what you like (for leaving the lights on by accident etc) That being said, I would still go with 1 battery at 1000cca. WHy? THe higher the available cca the closer the plates are together inside the battery as there needs to be more plates per cell. Cramming them close together means more chance of failure due to vibration or overcharging (plates touching). In all honesty, probably not a major concern but unless you want a separate battery for starting and another one to run accessories while camping etc. (which will require an isolater) just go with a single, will probably save you a few bucks too.

[delicat]

It's probably been read as it's a recent post but just in case, here's the way I did mine...
http://www.delica.ca/forum/battery-tray-mods-3781.html

David

[JMK]

One thing with JDM vehicles that helps confuse things are illustrated with the difference between a Delica and a Land Cruiser, both of which may have dual battery setups. However, the former has the batteries in parrallel, and the latter in series. So in the Delica you get double the amps at 12V, and in the Land Cruiser you get double the volts at the same amps. Last winter we had both vehicles. At -25 I was quite impressed with how easily the HDJ81 Land Cruiser started even without being plugged in, apparently largely due to the 24V starting system. In the winter I do appreciate the extra cranking time all the extra amps from a second battery is giving me in the Deli.

So while you can just use one battery in a Deli, you could not in the Land Cruiser. I've got 2 yellow top spiral cells in the Delica and no isolation switch, and a 1750 watt inverter. As a result I have killed the batteries a couple of times when I was not careful. One of the reasons I got the spiral cells was I hoped that due to their characteristics, the voltage wouldn't drop as fast under large amp draws (E.G. running a kettle) from the inverter like the old batteries, but I was disappointed. So last week when I was in Costco I bought yet another spiral cell: a blue top marine. I still have no idea of where the heck I'm going to put it or how I'm going to wire it up, but probably I'll get a Perko switch and try to do it properly and isolate it, or, not even hook it to the alternator and just charge it from the genny. Last, are the spiral cells worth the extra money? Well given that they disappointed me in the one regard, probably not. I like the convenience of them and I'd probably buy them again, but if you're on a tight budget the money is probably better spent on other items.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I use a more traditional style kettle; uses less amperage & voltage ~ got it out of the Farmer's Almanac autumn catalogue ~ it can keep you warm for an entire winter... smiles.

Falco.

[fostlongstrider]

Hi

Its swings and roundabouts,2 batteries give a higher cranking current but if one dies it usually takes the other with it.
1 battery is ok providing the cranking current is high enough to turn the engine when cold.
I have a single case in mine which has 2 batteries encased in it and she turns over just fine and we can have some cold weather down here,but probably not as bad as some of your northern areas.

Ian.

[john clem]

if running 2 batteries in series, one should install a battery equilizer so as not to overcharge as regulator dosent know their are 2.

[fostlongstrider]

My batteries are in parallel and I use a solar panel to trickle charge them when the vehicle is not being used.

Ian.

[john clem]

sorry, i meant in parallel not series that ya should have an equalizer for overcharge protection. Put a 2nd battery in our exceed + only have it hooked to an accessory 12v plug (for an inverter) or what have you, then plug a 2 ended male accessory plug from it to cigarette lighter on longer drives to recharge. that way when battery gets run down if something left on etc. i am still good to go, just jumper cable to main one. For lots of info on mutiple battery setups look around RV sites.

[JMK]

John,

Does that mean on Delica's with an existing 2 battery setup you recommend placing an equalizer on it as an aftermarket item? Or do the existing 2 battery Delica's already have the equalizer built in?

[brewskie]

What brands would folks here recommend. The shop that does my oil changes sell Interstate and they specialize in diesels. Anyone know which model would work well in my Deli. I live in Winnipeg so a high cca would be critical I would assume.

If not Interstate then what else?

Oh yah, can I replace them myself? Maybe save a few bucks on labour.

Cheers