Larger CCA battery

gb19711 · Apr 28, 2007

When I first purchased my tractor (YM 2210D) last year it came with a 650 CCA battery. It cranked over alright but it didn't appear to attain high enough RPMs to enable quick starting with the diesel. Initial starting usually took several minutes. I recently installed a higher CCA battery (900) and now it cranks right up. Any harm or potential harm (electrical system, etc.) making the switch to the bigger battery?

normde2001 · Apr 28, 2007

No, use the biggest cca battery that will fit in the space.

Mickey_Fx · Apr 28, 2007

No problem using the larger battery but I suspect there was more in play than the diff between 650 & 900 CCA. I bet the battery in my tractor isn't any more than 650 CCA, it cranks quickly and starts within a few sec even when engine is cold.

gb19711 · Apr 28, 2007

Thanks for the response Norm and Mickey. It's the largest battery shell that will fit in the space. I foresee some engine work in the future but for now I'm satisfied!

BobRip · Apr 28, 2007

I think you starter will last a lot longer with the bigger battery. Less use, last longer.

California · May 1, 2007

gb19711 said:
I recently installed a higher CCA battery (900)...

I'm running the battery that came new in my '99 Subaru, 550 CCA. I think its Group 35. Just to be safe I put the float charger on it when it will be idle for a couple of weeks. I should replace it before it starts giving me trouble.

For the next battery, I would like one that I don't have to fuss with. What series, and CCA, should be in there?

gb19711 · May 1, 2007

California - I simply measured my tractor's battery space and went to the battery catalog (at Costco) and compared my dimensions to their measurement sheet. I narrowed it down to a couple batteries that would fit and then chose the one with the highest CCA. In hindsight I would get one a bit narrower (front to back) to allow more space for the hood when it's open - so it doesn't hit or rest against it!! I put a narrow block of wood in front of mine to act as a "cushion".

LMTC · May 2, 2007

Group 30 is the largest that will fit in most configurations, though group 27 tends to be more available. Neither is in common automotive use anymore, but in most brands they are app. 1000 and 850+ CCA, with lots of reserve capacity.

vongiese · May 3, 2007

gb19711 said:
California - I simply measured my tractor's battery space and went to the battery catalog (at Costco) and compared my dimensions to their measurement sheet. I narrowed it down to a couple batteries that would fit and then chose the one with the highest CCA. In hindsight I would get one a bit narrower (front to back) to allow more space for the hood when it's open - so it doesn't hit or rest against it!! I put a narrow block of wood in front of mine to act as a "cushion".

I just got a new batt from costco myself - did the same thing too. Got the highest CCA that would also fit. amd put a board in front to fill the void. I could tell the difference in starting - motor turns over faster = starts easier in cooler weather...

I think series 27 fits just right, but not that common anymore...

California · Sep 18, 2007

California said:
I'm running the battery that came new in my '99 Subaru, 550 CCA. I think its Group 35. Just to be safe I put the float charger on it when it will be idle for a couple of weeks. I should replace it before it starts giving me trouble.

Should follow my own advice.

I left it 2+ weeks behind the barn without the trickle charger. That killed this 8 year old battery, which has been trouble free until now. I had to string a 100 ft extension cord out there to charge it enough to start. Now even after a long charge it won't keep cranking if it doesn't fire on the first revolution. I cleaned the terminals; no improvement.

I'm going looking for a group 27 battery.

Has anyone had a good experience with the HF solar charger, the one about the size of a license plate?

SailorBob · Sep 18, 2007

A lot of people use those on boats to maintain their batteries. They work great. I would think it would in your area very well.

BobRip · Sep 18, 2007

California said:
Should follow my own advice.

Has anyone had a good experience with the HF solar charger, the one about the size of a license plate?

I used something similar from Radio Shack for my daughter's truck when she was in college. The truck would sit for weeks without use. The biggest negative is that you have to park it with the proper vehicle orientation or move the panel around. I think they are a good idea, especially with the new vehilces that leave some electronics on all of the time.

California · Sep 19, 2007

View attachment 86044

There. That should hold it for a while.

I learned that Autozone sells a group 27 (the largest that will fit) but only in their premium $90 line.

I was leaving and the clerk pointed out that their Dual Purpose Marine group 27 is only $59. He was an ex-farmworker and said this is what they use on harvesters etc that are parked for months, because a marine battery has less self-discharge than an automotive battery. I bought it.

It's 1000 Marine Amps, comparable to 1000 automotive Cranking Amps (both @ 32 degrees) which corresponds to about 850 CCA (zero degree cranking amps).

Yanmar specifies 75 amp-hours, this is 115 amp hours. Good enough for government work as we used to say. This should last a while.

chriswheeler · Sep 20, 2007

I just buy the largest deep cycle battery that Cosco sells for less than $60 and it is more than good to go even at zero degrees on cold mornings in the winter.
Chris

California · Sep 20, 2007

I did a little online research and found that using a true Deep Cycle as a starting battery is not a good for it.

A Dual Purpose deep cycle, however, is suitable for both starting and for the long slow drawdown found in solar or rv applications. This Autozone Dual Purpose Marine battery seems to be a good match for a tractor that might be parked off-season.

SnowRidge · Sep 20, 2007

California said:
Has anyone had a good experience with the HF solar charger, the one about the size of a license plate?

I just looked at that, and had a good laugh. All of 1.5 watts, which works out to about 125 milliamps (at solar noon, and only if pointed directly at the sun), and they call it "super high output." I was about to warn you that an unregulated solar panel can actually boil a battery dry over time, but there is no worry with than puny thing. More likely it couldn't keep up with the battery's self discharge anywhere north of the equator, and you would still end up with a flat battery.

oliver28472 · Sep 20, 2007

My wife's 2004 VW Beetle came standard with a solar charger that plugs in the cig lighter. And by golly you better be using it!

BobRip · Sep 20, 2007

SnowRidge said:
I just looked at that, and had a good laugh. All of 1.5 watts, which works out to about 125 milliamps (at solar noon, and only if pointed directly at the sun), and they call it "super high output." I was about to warn you that an unregulated solar panel can actually boil a battery dry over time, but there is no worry with than puny thing. More likely it couldn't keep up with the battery's self discharge anywhere north of the equator, and you would still end up with a flat battery.

I think it will extend the time to discharge. Is not that what we want? No it will not keep it up forever, but maybe long enough.

SnowRidge · Sep 20, 2007

BobRip said:
I think it will extend the time to discharge. Is not that what we want? No it will not keep it up forever, but maybe long enough.

Maybe, but I think for it to be useful, it will require frequent reorientation, just like you mentioned earlier.

oliver28472 · Sep 21, 2007

On the wife's VW, the battery will go down within 2 days if it don't get some help. We were gone earlier this month for 10 days. I left the solar charger place in the sunroof and plugged in. Started right up when we got home. This charger will not overcharge the battery and it came with the car. I know we shouldn't have to use it but the sad truth is the dealer couldn't find anything wrong with the car even though it died on their lot.