What battery for 30hp diesel?

[alchemysa]

The diesel is a 'brand new' 1992 Perkins 3 cylinder 29 hp engine. Even though its 20 years old its never been used and is still on the original packing skid. As you'd expect it has very high compression.

The Perkins brochure recommended a 70 aH battery. The Battery catalog at the auto store does not list batteries in 'Amp hours', nor does it have any listing for this particular engine, but it did recommended a 700 cca battery for an identical sized Volvo motor. (Actually its the same motor, just rebranded.) The biggest battery they had in stock was a 650 AH so I got that thinking it was close enough. Big mistake, it can barely turn it over. But now I don't think a 700aH battery will be big enough either.

So rather than make another mistake, I figured I'd ask you guys with similar sized diesels in your tractors what size batteries you are using. Everything over here seems to be quoted in cca's (cold cranking amps) but there seems to be no direct conversion from cca's to Amp hours so although I roughly understand the terminology I'm still confused about what to get. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[RickB]

If an identical engine calls for 700 CCA and 650 won't roll yours over, I'd suspect your 20 year old engine has internal friction issues that may or may not heal themselves with use. In the US, group 31 batteries with 950-1000 CCA are sold by the millions for trucks and farm vehicles. They are (relatively speaking) cheap and easy to find. I'd consider one of them until your engine loosens up a little.

 

[alchemysa]

If an identical engine calls for 700 CCA and 650 won't roll yours over, I'd suspect your 20 year old engine has internal friction issues that may or may not heal themselves with use. In the US, group 31 batteries with 950-1000 CCA are sold by the millions for trucks and farm vehicles. They are (relatively speaking) cheap and easy to find. I'd consider one of them until your engine loosens up a little.

It turns over and fires but it really struggles. If it doesnt fire straight away its virtually dead. For the first start-up I made sure the engine was fully lubricated including putting oil in the cylinders and turned it over a half dozen times by hand so I'm pretty sure theres no problem with the engine or the starter.

 

[RickB]

It turns over and fires but it really struggles. If it doesnt fire straight away its virtually dead. For the first start-up I made sure the engine was fully lubricated including putting oil in the cylinders and turned it over a half dozen times by hand so I'm pretty sure theres no problem with the engine or the starter.

650 CCA is common and reliable in similar sized diesels, which answers your original question.
Regardless, if 650 CCA won't roll it over fast enough to start reliably, more is needed for whatever reason.

 

[JasG]

It is possible sitting for 20 years that connections, possibly even the contacts inside the starter solenoid have corrosion and is limiting current.

 

[90cummins]

starter and all connections next time you start it, if they warm to the touch you have a poor connection.

90cummins

 

[banjodunn]

G'day Alchemysa a 650cca should swing it over no prob I use a ford falcon battery on our ford 3000 and it is rated at 520 cca and starts it no probs, Ihave also used the same battery in our 175 massey at work and no probs there, I think you may want to checkthe elec side of it out as JasG said.

By the way where abouts in SA are you I'm in Ararat in Vic.


Jon

 

[Xfaxman]

Put a digital voltmeter on the starter case and the stud (not the wire itself) where the wire from the solenoid attaches, to see how much voltage is getting there.

 

[alchemysa]

Put a digital voltmeter on the starter case and the stud (not the wire itself) where the wire from the solenoid attaches, to see how much voltage is getting there.

Hmmm, this not looking good. Not a lot of replies so far but the general advice seems to be that 650cca should be sufficient. Perhaps I do have an electrical problem, or the new battery is dodgy. (I'll put it in my 4WD and see how it goes.) I've gone to some effort to ensure I have good earth and good contact at the starter but perhaps its still not good enough. I've got 12v at various test points but that doesn't mean I'm getting all the boot I need.

 

[alchemysa]

G'day Alchemysa a 650cca should swing it over no prob I use a ford falcon battery on our ford 3000 and it is rated at 520 cca and starts it no probs, Ihave also used the same battery in our 175 massey at work and no probs there, I think you may want to checkthe elec side of it out as JasG said.

By the way where abouts in SA are you I'm in Ararat in Vic.


Jon

Jon. I'm in the Adelaide Hills and also have a beach shack near Robe. Thats a nice Charger you have there. Its funny, I was only thinking the other days that the two best cars I've ever owned were a Valiant wagon of the same vintage, and my current 2001 Magna wagon with 350,000ks on the clock. Both built in Adelaide, but about 40 years apart.