Replacing battery for my F350 in sig, is 700 CCA enough or do I need 900? I'm in Canada. Also, am changing the oil this weekend, what viscosity should I use for winter if I'm also adding a quart of Lucas?

Thanks
Itch

 

I always buy the biggest battery that will fit. I am running 1000 cca on my 88 F150. I do run a lot of offroad lights and a winch. This is also with a 120 amp alternator.

As far as the oil vis I don't know. It doesn't get that cold down here. I run 20-50 all year long.

 

so I take it, there is no risk in causing damage to starter/alternator by running a stronger battery?

 

I have done it on all of my vehicles with no problems.

 

I also always buy the biggest battery that will fit in my vehicles. It's cheap insurance in my book especially in the winter months on a cold day/evening and also with all of the electronics, etc that run in todays vehicles. Also easier on the alternator when it needs to replenish the battery from the start up draw. In this case bigger is better naturally it may also depend on your funds. Just my $ .02.

 

I would go with the 900 CCA. As far with the oil, I would run a bit lighter weight like 10w-30 for the cold season.

 

I currently work for a major battery company, and we sell a LOT of automotive batteries.

Use the biggest one you can fit in there. It won't damage anything in your electrical system. My '85 has a 1,000 CCA Marine Deep Cycle Starting battery in it, and my '89 has a 750 CCA automotive battery. Driving and starting, I can't honestly tell a difference most days, but I like the added insurance of having more power if I need it.

The rated CCA for a typical Ford truck with a V-8 is around 650, but that's an average. I recommend going with as large as will physically fit in your vehicle.

When it comes to cranking power in a battery, there's no such thing as "too much", only "not enough".

 

Thanks Wild Karrde...The 900 CCA is only $20 more than the 700 CCA I was looking at. Will take the advice and get that one. I was a little worried I would damage anything with a higher rated battery. Why do you have a marine battery in your truck, any advantage to those, or do they just put out more CCA?

Thanks
Itch

 

I use the marine starting deep cycle, because I run lights and an inverter off my truck a lot when I'm out and about, and a normal car battery will not take the constant power drain I place on my battery.

Deep cycle batteries can stand being run all the way down to dead and charged back up. Do this once or twice with a regular car battery and it will severely weaken (if not completely kill) the battery.

There are different deep cycles, in case you were thinking of trying this. I'll give a brief description of each.

Automotive Standard Battery:
Typical applications for starting, lighting, and ignition. These will work well for most people, as they usually just run a battery for the car's starting sequence, and occasionally playing the radio for a few minutes. Good only for large bursts of energy to run the starter (and any accessories that are on when you turn your key).
Advantages = Typically moderate cost.
Disadvantages = Can be damaged by constant drain/recharging. Needs to stay full (or close to full) at all times.

Marine Deep Cycle:
Normal battery found on boats that typically only use the battery to run lights and accessories. Good for moderate drain for long periods of time. Not good for starting applications.
Advantages = Constant power drain, able to run all the way down before charging.
Disadvantages = low burst power capabilities, moderate to high cost.

Marine Starting Deep Cycle:
Used for larger boats with electric starters. Powers both the starting sequence of the boat's engines, but also the lights and accessories. Basically a "best of both worlds" kind of battery.
Advantages = Starting power is high, can run all the way down and charge back up without damage, good for a "just in case the alternator fails, I don't have to buy a new alternator AND battery".
Disadvantages = Cost is fairly high, battery is large and heavy. Will fit some pickup applications without modifications, but make sure of hood clearance to the top of the terminals.

Basically, if you don't plan on doing anything that drains your battery while the vehicle is off, you don't really need a deep cycle. If you're like me and run lights and such from your truck while it's off (especially for long periods of time) you would do well with one.

 

Wow! Thats a detailed explanation Wild Karrde. Will stick with the 900 CCA Std. Automotive battery...since I don't power anything but the starter, it should do what I need it to do.


Thanks again for the info!
Itch

 

Well Itch i live in canada a few provinces over in Saskatchewan it gets real cold here somedays like -30 -40 easily but usually never gets to -40 but for my F150 with a 351W i have 625 cold crankin amps and it seeems plenty many recommend for 5W30 in the winter and 10W30 in the summer

Im runnin 5W30 synthetic its lighter so easier on startin the truck too

 

I would agree for the 5w30 for the winter, i didnt know it got THAT cold up there!

 

ya, the manual says 5W30, so will go with that...thanks guys!