Battery Size
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Battery Size
Living in a cold climate, I usually change out my battery every 4 years and sell the old one on KIJIJI while it still has some life in it and it's about that time.
Original Motorcraft is a 750CCA but the dealer also lists an 850CCA that apparently fits exactly on the same battery shelf for a few more $.
Anyone got the 850 and is there much difference? Was it worth the extra $$ ??
Truck has always started fine with a 750 even at -20 degrees. Would the 850 be cheap insurance or a waste of money i wonder?
Original Motorcraft is a 750CCA but the dealer also lists an 850CCA that apparently fits exactly on the same battery shelf for a few more $.
Anyone got the 850 and is there much difference? Was it worth the extra $$ ??
Truck has always started fine with a 750 even at -20 degrees. Would the 850 be cheap insurance or a waste of money i wonder?
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
I never cheap out on a battery for my daily driver...I would go for the bigger one. I have a bias about battery companies and I only buy Interstate or Optima, I've been stranded by many others.
I agree with you swapping them out before they fail.
I agree with you swapping them out before they fail.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,458
Likes: 722
From: Calgary Canada
One thing I always consider with any battery is the length of warranty, and the number of places I can make use of that warranty.
Fact is all brands can fail, and none of them are as well made as we'd like, so chances are you can have a premature failure.
Some folks choose wal-mart batteries for this reason. Around me, NAPA is the most common place, so I usualy buy those for that reason. I have made use of the warranty and it took some of the sting out of having a failed battery.
That being said, if the price is anything close, I'd always go with the higher CCA rating. But here's a question I can't answer. How do they get more amperage? Thinking of this like an RV'er, I wonder if they use more, but thinner lead plates, in which case, is that battery actually more likely to fail? This is pure speculation on my part.
Fact is all brands can fail, and none of them are as well made as we'd like, so chances are you can have a premature failure.
Some folks choose wal-mart batteries for this reason. Around me, NAPA is the most common place, so I usualy buy those for that reason. I have made use of the warranty and it took some of the sting out of having a failed battery.
That being said, if the price is anything close, I'd always go with the higher CCA rating. But here's a question I can't answer. How do they get more amperage? Thinking of this like an RV'er, I wonder if they use more, but thinner lead plates, in which case, is that battery actually more likely to fail? This is pure speculation on my part.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
There are tradeoffs. If we're talking the same size case, then for a given CCA rating the larger cold cranking amp battery will have more/thinner plates, to provide for a bit more juice when starting.
But, higher CCA comes at the expense of reserve minutes, and they are also more easily damaged in rough service (Off Roading) ; if you want the "best" what you really want is the heaviest battery that will fit, with the longest warranty.
Unless you absolutely need the highest CCA, there are better choices in my opinion, particularly if heavy draw accessories are being used frequently.
But, higher CCA comes at the expense of reserve minutes, and they are also more easily damaged in rough service (Off Roading) ; if you want the "best" what you really want is the heaviest battery that will fit, with the longest warranty.
Unless you absolutely need the highest CCA, there are better choices in my opinion, particularly if heavy draw accessories are being used frequently.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
The OE battery in my 09 was fine until last year, when it got below about 40 degrees, it wouldn't hardly crank.
I bought a new 65 series, wow what a difference.
Yes, the bigger battery is worth it.
I bought a new 65 series, wow what a difference.
Yes, the bigger battery is worth it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Sounds like the OE battery had failed was the actual problem, not so much a size issue. It was 6 years old after all.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Also, look at investing in an AGM battery. They seem to last much longer than lead acid. I am converting all mine over to from lead acid, which is no cheap task, since my boat alone has 4 batteries. As they fail, I replace them with AGMs.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,458
Likes: 722
From: Calgary Canada
I think a lot of folks won't see an economic payout for using AGM batteries, even if they do last a little longer. I have heard they are better with applications with high vibration, although i don't know how much.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Not with our battery management system. I've heard of AGMs lasting 8-9 years, which is double a "normal" lead-acid battery. They charge fine with the lead-acid chargers, but like a lower float. That's where the battery management system in our trucks should keep it happier than in a "regular" application.