Battery choice

[AndyV7o]

A higher cca battery wont make the starter go any faster than it naturally would, it can supply more current if the starter draws it.
Basically the starter wanted more than the cca the old battery could deliver.
The ring gear will be fine, starters are pre-engaged by the solenoid, they don't get starter pinion ****ting into them full-bore!

[oragex]

I can't speak for other cars, but on mine it was spinning quite faster than with the standard battery.

[AndyV7o]

Aye, the old battery was tired and not capable of full supply to starters requirements.
On a basic level, a DC motor/supply works like this;
More volts = higher rpm
More current = higher torque
Higher torque can result in higher rpm under load as it can overcome resistance better.
Higher torque = faster, more efficient starting and quicker oil flow/pressure.

Wifes octavia was struggling in winter and acceptable in summer, put same battery type but higher capacity/quality, and new, on it, it starts instantly in any weather. Just an example.

[Jebus]

The starter will want to draw a certain amount of current, if a new one is cranking faster, then the old battery was not able to put out enough current, either due to its age it as degraded, you have a poor connection quality causing a high resistance connection.

Everybody knows that sad noise of a car only just cranking over with an old tired battery that just can't fire the car up, but it was fine in the summer, but started to get worse as it got cooler and you curse yourself for not getting a fresh battery, colder weather increases the load on the starter and reduces the amps that the battery can put out.

[Rickya]

Hi guys
I have the new battery and have removed the small transit plugs
Battery not fitted yet
The battery is fitted in the boot and has a vent pipe on right hand side as I look at the boot / battery do I also leave the left side transit plug out when the battery is fitted
Cheers
Guys

[barrybritcher]

when I got my car i originally had both plugs removed but people on here advised to keep the non vent side bunged up?

[Longhouse21]

Originally Posted by Rickya

Hi guys
I have the new battery and have removed the small transit plugs
Battery not fitted yet
The battery is fitted in the boot and has a vent pipe on right hand side as I look at the boot / battery do I also leave the left side transit plug out when the battery is fitted
Cheers
Guys

Leave the non-piped side closed up with the supplied vent plug and only vent through the side fitted with the pipe.

[Georgeandkira]

Here's a "Battery Health Guide".
Label it onto your DMM (Digital Multi Meter), your VOM (Volt Ohm Milliameter) or JPM (Just Plain Voltmeter).

After sitting 4 hours-overnight:

12.8V = New battery
12.5V = 3 year old battery
12.3V = Start Looking for a replacement battery
12.2V = Failed battery

13.5V-13.8V = a standard charging rate.

1) A non-Volvo note which may help to keep in mind:
14.6V - 14.9V = A 5-10 minute "Quick Recharge" mode built into some vehicles which I just learned about. Any car might have such programming so begin your day with an early morning voltage check.

2) Personal anecdote:
The battery in a vehicle I bought was 6.5 years old. It cranked and started the engine smartly enough. A voltage check whilst cranking saw the voltage reading drop to beneath 10V; a threshold which has ALWAYS been a red flag.

Also, my "Good Morning Voltage" was 11.8 so I knew I was battery shopping.

That vehicle (a 2005 Ford Ranger) calls for a Group 59 battery. Group # is one sizing system.
The previous owner had fitted a Group 58 which is smaller in one dimension.
You'd think being 1" shorter wouldn't matter a hoot but industries employ "secret little standardizations". G-59's are in a larger bunch of batteries-a "step up" in capacity. Another "family of sizes" if you will.

Different sized oil filters often contain the same small element.
Some battery's plates are visible near the cell cap opening while others are well beneath it.

My new "59's" battery is full to the top with plates and the first start with it was much faster....plus, I get Canadian radio stations now! (just kidding)

Hope this helps at some point.

[AndyV7o]

Standard charging rate 13.5-14.4v

[marcb]

Damn. Our battery's been going flat after about 3 days. But it's only 2 years old and a Volvo OEM one. Tested it today - it had good runs last 2 days - and voltage is 11.95.

Think I'll try the Volvo dealer I bought it from to see if they'll replace it but I'm expecting that over 2 years it will be out of warranty.