The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Battery Size

I am still working on converting my truck to 12 volts with the alternator conversion and still have yet another question. Just a reminder, I have a 216 engine with a floor starter. What size battery should I use for this set-up? In the future, I plan on installing air conditioning into this vehicle. How many cold cranking amps, or whatever else that is important, should I be looking for when purchasing a battery? Thanks again for all the help with this project!

where you are, I don't think you hafta worry about <i>cold</i> cranking amps but get the best you can afford - up north where it counts, 550 is min, 650 better, more's good too - when it's cold batteries lose some oomph, and motors are tighter to crank as well, but w/ the 6 volt starter on 12v, you'll have no problem starting - the alternator is what's important w/ the AC - make sure you've got a heavy duty one

Bill

Red, Thanks for the info. Yeah, I live in Arizona, the desert.

The one I bought is rated at 540cca. I chose this one due to its small physical size so that it could fit in the old 6v battery tray without modification. I just was not sure if this was going to be a little on the small side with its rated cca's when trying to turn over the engine/starter with it. That's all!