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Battery type?? (CCA)

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empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#924908
Hello,

Wondering what battery CCA you would reccomend for an air cooled car?


Cheers

Adam
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷

LUFTMEISTER Veteran Volks Folk

2,041 posts · joined Jul 2005 ·

#924912
Just grab a cheapy from Big W . Comes with recessed terminals and 12mths warranty. Standard VW don't draw much current and start quickly if tuned properly. My2c
Customer service is not dead in Australia.

Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#924916
you want about 600cca or so. ive got a din53L fitted to the bug. its about the right size for the bug although im sure it would fit the type 3 and kombi as well
“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#924921
I think my rides are 660cca with recessed terminals (another potential fire lighter eliminated)
plenty of umph there to crank away till the fuel is pumped all the way thru on the mech fuel pump
fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#924922
600cca is abit overkill for a VW especially if you still run a generator, thats starting to get into Diesel 4wd territory
you only need a 350-450cca for a VW, stock rating for a 74 bug with a 50amp alternator was only 36AH which is about 270cca.
Even 2L kombis witha 55amp alternator only ran 45AH batteries.

Even with how overtaxed the electrical system in my bug is with all the Audio, A/C and starting a high compression 2.5L Subi engine etc I only run a 475cca.
Bigger batterys are ok but you just gotta remember the more discharged they get the harder the alt/gen has to work to recharge them.

empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#924925
yeah im running Porsche alternator and relocating the battery and have electric fuel pump.... so having to put some thought behind this.

Thanks for the input fellas.

🙂
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#924985
Joel wrote:600cca is abit overkill for a VW especially if you still run a generator, thats starting to get into Diesel 4wd territory
you only need a 350-450cca for a VW, stock rating for a 74 bug with a 50amp alternator was only 36AH which is about 270cca.
Even 2L kombis witha 55amp alternator only ran 45AH batteries.

Even with how overtaxed the electrical system in my bug is with all the Audio, A/C and starting a high compression 2.5L Subi engine etc I only run a 475cca.
Bigger batterys are ok but you just gotta remember the more discharged they get the harder the alt/gen has to work to recharge them.
haha you can easy start a tractor with 660cca

I had a 440cca and that was mega over kill, I recon I could crank till the starter burned out if I wanted to try. 😂


I would only recommend 300 or so, up to 450 is ok if you need it and have a good (bosch) alternator to cope

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#924987
empi wrote:yeah im running Porsche alternator and relocating the battery and have electric fuel pump.... so having to put some thought behind this.

Thanks for the input fellas.

🙂

remember, a car battery is there really only to start the car and filter (dampen) the output of the alt/gen as in the wave output and fluctuations ie. noise.

cca rating is nothing to do with what electrical accessories you run, the alternator/gen takes care of that. Actually I don't think the battery has much to do with with anything besides starting the engine. unless its an auxiliary battery.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#925034
I have just bought an EXIDE X52D from Big W $165 with 3 years warranty

recessed posts correct for a beetle 550CCA

Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 ·

#925061
68AutoBug wrote:I have just bought an EXIDE X52D from Big W $165 with 3 years warranty

recessed posts correct for a beetle 550CCA

Lee
That's expensive for an Exide.

Try onlinebatteries.com.au
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.

Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 ·

#925073
600 overkill; I had a flat battery one day and at the time I was with NRMA; so called roadside and the only battery they had was more than required for a bug which I'm still running

Might double check it though...

*Checked battery and it is 400CCA*
BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#925095
I like delkor batteries. Mine still going and I bought it in 08 and have left the ignition on last year overnight til it was completely dead the next day (not even a interior light). I jump started it and its still working perfect a year later.

Best battery I ever owned.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#925098
I have a small Delkor, its actually a snow mobile battery. Works a treat, light etc. They also do normal car batteris.
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#925105
Alot of it comes down to vehicle usage, cheap batteries can last for ages and good ones can die quick.

The Century Battery in one of my tractors is 8 years old in feb next year but it starts and runs for hours usually at decent revs (for a tractor) but I;ve had a Century in the bug rooted at only 3 years because I was only driving it 1-2 times a fortnight.

Another good example is the old girls Subaru Impreza, its only 5 years old but its had 3 batteries because it only does short 5 min trips once a week at most and modern Subaru alternators don't start charging till the engine is up to temperature unless there is a decent load there like lights on, so it's a disaster no matter what brand battery gets put in it.

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#925163
Joel wrote:Alot of it comes down to vehicle usage, cheap batteries can last for ages and good ones can die quick.

The Century Battery in one of my tractors is 8 years old in feb next year but it starts and runs for hours usually at decent revs (for a tractor) but I;ve had a Century in the bug rooted at only 3 years because I was only driving it 1-2 times a fortnight.

Another good example is the old girls Subaru Impreza, its only 5 years old but its had 3 batteries because it only does short 5 min trips once a week at most and modern Subaru alternators don't start charging till the engine is up to temperature unless there is a decent load there like lights on, so it's a disaster no matter what brand battery gets put in it.
what the hell? how does that work?

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

cam070 Custom Title Time!

1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·

#925180
Joel wrote:Alot of it comes down to vehicle usage, cheap batteries can last for ages and good ones can die quick.

The Century Battery in one of my tractors is 8 years old in feb next year but it starts and runs for hours usually at decent revs (for a tractor) but I;ve had a Century in the bug rooted at only 3 years because I was only driving it 1-2 times a fortnight.

Another good example is the old girls Subaru Impreza, its only 5 years old but its had 3 batteries because it only does short 5 min trips once a week at most and modern Subaru alternators don't start charging till the engine is up to temperature unless there is a decent load there like lights on, so it's a disaster no matter what brand battery gets put in it.
I bet that Subaru problem was something to do with the fact it was always scared you were going to steal bits out of it for your bug!

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#925214
Don't laugh I've made that joke.
Its sitting in the shed with only 3600kms on the clock and hasnt moved for over 2 months but its only 2L auto so nothing of any use.
vlad01 wrote:
Joel wrote:Alot of it comes down to vehicle usage, cheap batteries can last for ages and good ones can die quick.

The Century Battery in one of my tractors is 8 years old in feb next year but it starts and runs for hours usually at decent revs (for a tractor) but I;ve had a Century in the bug rooted at only 3 years because I was only driving it 1-2 times a fortnight.

Another good example is the old girls Subaru Impreza, its only 5 years old but its had 3 batteries because it only does short 5 min trips once a week at most and modern Subaru alternators don't start charging till the engine is up to temperature unless there is a decent load there like lights on, so it's a disaster no matter what brand battery gets put in it.
what the hell? how does that work?
It's just an economy thing.
The ECU doesnt send the ignition signal which excites the regulator till either the engine reaches operating temp or theres enough load to call for the alternator to start charging..

It works well in most circumstances as most people don't drive like Diane who is 89 this year and only drives 5 mins away to the shops at 40km/h.

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#925221
thats retarded, why do car designers even bother with arbitrary stuff like this ?

you seen the suby AFR maps on the RAT forums few months ago? pretty much the whole map was stoich, they should forget about the cat and start tuning engine properly and put those fat sumo cars on a diet, then we can see real economy 👍

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#925222
Yar, in any vehicle constantly doing short trips the battery discharges more from starting than it does from charging during the short trip. For this situation it's a good idea to charge the battery yourself every 2 weeks-month.

The more discharged a batt becomes and sitting around in that condition for lengthy periods means the plates start turning to slag at the bottom of the battery and the acid level go all to shit.
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#925228
AA003 wrote:
68AutoBug wrote:I have just bought an EXIDE X52D from Big W $165 with 3 years warranty

recessed posts correct for a beetle 550CCA

Lee
That's expensive for an Exide.

Try onlinebatteries.com.au

Hi

Century Din 65LMF battery from online batteries with two years warranty is $164..

same looking as the EXIDE I bought

That is their best EXIDE battery...

Maintenance Free with 3 yr warranty

I could have had a similar one with two years
or one year warranty -- much cheaper..

I checked with NRMA batteries and it was going to cost $216 for the battery recommended for beetles.. ??

I used to sell batteries 30 years ago and the most common batteries were only 250-300 CCA and with caps..

My car doesn't get driven every week although it does have an alternator

in the winter months I usually have a battery charger on it
if its not driven for a week or so..

not with a new battery though..

and I can't push My Beetle to start it as its auto..

LEE

 If the battery was under the bonnet..lol
I wouldn't need a maintenance free one..
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#925230
68AutoBug wrote:
AA003 wrote:
68AutoBug wrote:I have just bought an EXIDE X52D from Big W $165 with 3 years warranty

recessed posts correct for a beetle 550CCA

Lee
That's expensive for an Exide.

Try onlinebatteries.com.au

That was their best battery...
no maintanence 3 yr warranty

I could have had a similar one with two years
or one year warranty much cheaper..

I checked with NRMA batteries and it was going to cost $216 for the battery recommended for beetles.. ??

I used to sell batteries 30 years ago and the most common batteries were only 250-300 CCA

but cars then didn't have much apart from a radio.. lol

My car doesn't get driven every week although it does have an alternator

in the winter months I usually have a battery charger on it
if its not driven for a week or so..

not with a new battery though..

LEE
Not a fan of Exide myself as had 3 failures within the 3 yr warranty and then 6mnths after the warranty ended it died again. Was doing long enough journeys to properly charge the thing and the electrics were in good order so good luck with that.

As for price a Beetle sized 330CCA Century from Supercheap is $115 with 3 yrs warranty. I bought a slightly larger one with 470CCA for $130 and 3 year warranty. Didn't get used for an entire year whilst away but was charged once a month and it's still going great.
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#925238
Hi
I've had a good run with EXIDE batteries..
always have used them in Our Lancers and My beetle

I used to sell Century batteries years ago and at least 2 out of ten were duds.. ended up selling their sealed batteries mostly but the failure rate was still bad.. but that was a long time ago.

I probably did go overboard with the 550CCA battery as I had 460CCA before , and the last one wasn't sealed and I forgot to check it last year.. maybe 2 years.. so it was nearly dry..
so, the battery charger got used all last winter.. lol

cheers

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#925248
68AutoBug wrote:Hi
I've had a good run with EXIDE batteries..
always have used them in Our Lancers and My beetle

I used to sell Century batteries years ago and at least 2 out of ten were duds.. ended up selling their sealed batteries mostly but the failure rate was still bad.. but that was a long time ago.

I probably did go overboard with the 550CCA battery as I had 460CCA before , and the last one wasn't sealed and I forgot to check it last year.. maybe 2 years.. so it was nearly dry..
so, the battery charger got used all last winter.. lol

cheers

LEE
Funny how some people have a good run with one brand of battery and others another brand. YOu'd think there would be more consistancy 😂
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#925284
All sorted got a century direct from the dealer $45!!! with warranty, will be keeping his details
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#925310
empi wrote:All sorted got a century direct from the dealer $45!!! with warranty, will be keeping his details
F me!!! Now that's bloody cheap 😀
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#925335
yeah maybe too cheap. I seen too many plate collapses with century batteries to trust them.

I remember back in the day before calcium silver batteries (2002 ?) Bond lead acid were the best, we had all ours last 8-10 years, then the calcium silver came out and it was all over 🙁

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#925367
that is weird about the Subaru ECU..

Mitsubushi Magna and I think the last 2 Lancers We had seem to really charge the battery
If it has ventilation caps You end up with little acid spots on the underside of the bonnet..

I didn't think anything about it but a Mechanic mentioned it to Me..

LEE

PS: If I have a bad run with Exide I will soon change.. lol
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---