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| | | | Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 6 | Is a 550 CCA battery big enough for a 235 engine in a 1950 3100? It is 12 volt
Thanks
Todd
1950 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 | Considering back in the day one CCA for every cubic inch was the standard.......YES | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,818 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,818 | It depends- - - -are you cranking a brand new engine with normal compression pressure and correct clearances, or a worn out piece of junk? Either way, a good condition 550 battery should be sufficient. In extremely cold or hot situations, I'd want to boost the CCA a little higher.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,818 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,818 | Once the engine is running the charging system should carry the current demand of all the accessories, with some capacity left over to recharge the battery. At that point the battery CCA becomes a moot question. The only time the battery would enter into the mix would be in case of a temporary overload which would exceed the capability of the generator or alternator to carry the current load.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 | ^^^^^^^^^^true, if the above was a concern then the reserve capacity spec would be important when choosing a battery.
Reserve Capacity (RC) is a very important rating. This is the number of minutes a fully charged battery at 80 ° F will discharge 25 amps until the battery drops below 10.5 volts.
VS. CCA
These are the standards that most battery companies use to rate the output and capacity of a battery. Cold cranking amps (CCA) is a measurement of the number of amps a battery can deliver at 0 ° F for 30 seconds and not drop below 7.2 volts.
Last edited by showkey; 03/19/2017 7:41 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3,689 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3,689 | I don't remember what CCA battery I bought off the top of my head. I do remember the physical dimensions of the under floor tray being the limiting factor.
1951 3100
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,818 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,818 | I've seen batteries bigger than the cover in the floorboard installed by fabricating a new battery box that unbolts from under the floor. It's a little inconvenient for battery changes but the floor access panel can still be used for checking the water and cleaning terminals if the battery isn't a sealed top unit.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 | I don't remember what CCA battery I bought off the top of my head. I do remember the physical dimensions of the under floor tray being the limiting factor. That's likely the reason the OP was asking the question.......because the 550 fit in the tray.
Last edited by showkey; 03/20/2017 3:32 AM.
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | I just installed a Maxx Everstart battery from Walmart that is 640 CCA. It's a Group 35 and fits nicely.
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 6 | Thanks for all of the help. I wasn't sure if the 550 was big enough but it seems to turn it over just fine. The battery box in the floor did limit me some. It is a 1950 3100.
Thanks
Todd
1950 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
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