| Author |
Message |
dfmastin
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2015
Posts: 88
Location: United States
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 11:10 pm Post subject: Are all batteries the same? |
 |
|
So I was admiring Geirskogul's battery in this pic:
from this thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=639254
Now, it's really a picture of his "battery switch and ACR", but I was wishing my battery situation looked more like his.
From here
http://live-n-learn.hubpages.com/hub/Choosing-a-Car-Battery---Guide
I read about the 5 important factors in choosing a car battery:
Size
Brand
Reserve capacity
Age
Cold-cranking amps
And I read Consumer Reports cautioning: "Beware: The best and worst replacement car batteries can be from the same brand:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/04/be.../index.htm
I imagine this may be more about consumer reports wanting folks to buy subscriptions, but maybe y'all have thoughts.
In any case, I often have to fiddle with the contact my cables make with my terminals to get a good connection so I'm thinking I want a battery with side terminal connections and new battery cables like Geirskogul.
A battery upgrade with more cold cranking amps and reserve capacity are only good things, right? And as long as it fits, a new battery side terminals and new cables sound good too?
This thread is super helpful:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7530080
From this thread I like this suggestion:
"Clean your cable ends with a wire brush prior to installing to insure good contact. Put the cable ends on the battery Then spray the CRC terminal spray."
and from this thread Dave provides some great info and standard battery sizes from the Battery Council International...
Anyway, I have a 73 camper with a non-standard engine (Ford Cologne) anybody super happy with their battery or cables?
Anybody know what size battery will fit a 73 camper? Anybody like side terminals?
Or should I just go to WalMart/Auto store and see what will fit and ask for generic new cables?
_________________
1973 Campmobile Watercooled Engine Click to view image |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jakokombi
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 777
Location: Milwaukee
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
I always hated side terminal batteries in other vehicles because I was always fighting for better connections. The location however, is ideal for a bus.
_________________
70 Sunroof Kombi
69 Tin Top
73 Thing
72 Baja |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tcash
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011
Posts: 12844
Location: San Jose, California, USA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22641
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 7:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
The answer lies as much as in intended use as the actual battery.
COnsumer reports actually does a good job of describing this industry which really does come down to a few players, despite all the marketing labels.
On sailboats, where electrical needs are much more critical than on land boats (since you are SOL when you run out of electrons) there is a often a hue and a cry to go AGM for all batteries.
Most of us who work for a living and camp for one week at time are better served with standard deep cycle batteries in terms of cost of ownership and performance.
_________________
.ssS! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 12721
Location: on a bike ride somewhere
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I looked into an AGM setup a while ago, and I discovered that they don't like too much heat (bad for a bus) and they are far more sensitive to over-charging than a lead-acid system. Both these together spelled a no-go for me.
Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dwill49965
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2005
Posts: 1396
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I don't want to brag but ..........
The greatest all time automotive battery deal was given out by Canadian Tire from about 1987-1988 (approx) on their top of the line "Eliminator" battery series. It came with a lifetime warranty - yes - a lifetime warranty. I was fortunate enough to buy one for my '68 Firebird in the summer of 1988 in Esquimalt, BC. It was guaranteed for 10 years, and had 1000 CCA. I had it replaced for free in 1995, 2002, and 2007. I am almost due for another one. I keep the invoice and the warranty in my safe. I've used the various descendents of that battery over the years in my Firebird, '94 Ranger, and over the last several years, my 78 Westy. I remember reading in the financial news in the late '90s that Canadian Tire lost millions on that particular warranty deal, and had to take a huge writedown. It's the gift that keeps on giving. 
Not that this helps the OP, but go for the best warranty.
_________________
Darryl
--------------
'78 Westy, Boston Bob built 2.0 L, FI, MSD 6A
| Meyer wrote: |
| Lastly, you just referred to US citizens as 'Americans'. Exactly what kind of Canadian are you? From what continent? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dfmastin
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2015
Posts: 88
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 7:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ha, good lord dwil, that's a good warranty. I wonder if the guy that came up with that got fired.
Asiab, had to look up Absorbed Glass Mat batteries and learned more here http://www.solar-electric.com/agm-battery-technology.html/
Abscate, that's a thoughtful reply.
Tcash, of course, that's a great thread.
Jakokombi, I wonder why you had trouble with side terminals.
We have a Battery Outfitters nearby so I might head there tomorrow.
I was thinking of replacing the battery cables. I know where the ground is grounded, but when I traced the positive lead it went through the firewall. I thought it'd terminate within a couple of feet in the engine compartment. It's about 10pm and the bus is in flashlight territory. I need to look at my wiring diagram. Where is it going?
_________________
1973 Campmobile Watercooled Engine Click to view image |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22641
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The big fat heavy battery cable goes to the one thing on the car that needs high current ....the starter motor. I believe on Bays the rest of the power draw attaches to same point through a smaller wire.
_________________
.ssS! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tcash
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011
Posts: 12844
Location: San Jose, California, USA
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| dfmastin wrote: |
| I traced the positive lead it went through the firewall. I thought it'd terminate within a couple of feet in the engine compartment.Where is it going? |
It goes to the starter. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Brian
Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012
Posts: 8340
Location: Oceanside
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dfmastin
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2015
Posts: 88
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Is a yellow top ok for starting?
| Brian wrote: |
| Yellow top optima man. |
_________________
1973 Campmobile Watercooled Engine Click to view image |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Brian
Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012
Posts: 8340
Location: Oceanside
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dfmastin
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2015
Posts: 88
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Brian.
Installed. After all the reading I realize there are many possibilities and hopefully this will be a good choice.
_________________
1973 Campmobile Watercooled Engine Click to view image |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
