repalcing car battery
#1
10-05-04, 04:15 PM
Join Date: Nov 2003
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repalcing car battery
Hi,
I have a Toyota Camry 88 and want to replace the battery. Instead of getting another one in the same group 35, can I put another car battery with at least the same CCA and similar in size?
Thanks.
I have a Toyota Camry 88 and want to replace the battery. Instead of getting another one in the same group 35, can I put another car battery with at least the same CCA and similar in size?
Thanks.
#2
10-05-04, 06:26 PM
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Location: Kansas City, Missouri.
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If the new battery physically fits, then it will work.
The amp rating is an indicator of the life of a battery. More amp capacity will certainly last longer than a lesser amp battery. If you stay in the same group rating, you usually have two or more choices at the store. One choice is a given amp rating for a given price. The other choice will be a higher amp rating at a higher price. The bottom line is that it will last longer, and is generally the perferred choice if your not pinching pennys.
The group rating of a battery is a bit of a mystery; however, one thing the group rating involves is the physical size of the battery. It's not always well defined, however if you can get the battery to physicaly fit, it will work.
There is a catch. People often overlook battery fit features. For example:
-will your battery hold down clamp still attach if you change from maintenance free style to raised cap style.
- be sure you match the posts, either side mount or top mount.
- be sure the post are in the same position on the battery top. Some post are mounted in the center of the battery, others are mounted on the corner of the battery. Is it unlikely that your existing cables will streach even one inch to reach a new post location. A common mistake by battery buyers.
- be sure the polarity of the poles is the same. That is, pos post is near the pos cable. Some batteries have reversed poles.
- Be sure the new battery is not taller than the old one. The battery hold down clamp may not fit, or it may it hit the hood of the car, etc.
- Be sure the new battery is not "too" short. The hold down clamp may not tighten down all the way. A battery should be held snuggly in place.
- Some batteries are not cube shaped, rather they are odd shaped in ways that don't draw suspicion until you get it in your car.
-Some batteries use base pinch blocks as hold down clamps, others do not have the indent in the battery case for pinch blocks.
I recommend you take the old battery to the store, measure it side by side to the new battery. Check the position and polarity of the posts.
You will likely learn that you can either stick with your original group size, OR you can step down to a smaller size, often without any savings on the smaller battery shell.
It's an 88 model, so if you have a bargain battery, like someone is giving you one, then do your best to get it in and the see if the cables will reach the post. If it fits, then it will serve you.
The amp rating is an indicator of the life of a battery. More amp capacity will certainly last longer than a lesser amp battery. If you stay in the same group rating, you usually have two or more choices at the store. One choice is a given amp rating for a given price. The other choice will be a higher amp rating at a higher price. The bottom line is that it will last longer, and is generally the perferred choice if your not pinching pennys.
The group rating of a battery is a bit of a mystery; however, one thing the group rating involves is the physical size of the battery. It's not always well defined, however if you can get the battery to physicaly fit, it will work.
There is a catch. People often overlook battery fit features. For example:
-will your battery hold down clamp still attach if you change from maintenance free style to raised cap style.
- be sure you match the posts, either side mount or top mount.
- be sure the post are in the same position on the battery top. Some post are mounted in the center of the battery, others are mounted on the corner of the battery. Is it unlikely that your existing cables will streach even one inch to reach a new post location. A common mistake by battery buyers.
- be sure the polarity of the poles is the same. That is, pos post is near the pos cable. Some batteries have reversed poles.
- Be sure the new battery is not taller than the old one. The battery hold down clamp may not fit, or it may it hit the hood of the car, etc.
- Be sure the new battery is not "too" short. The hold down clamp may not tighten down all the way. A battery should be held snuggly in place.
- Some batteries are not cube shaped, rather they are odd shaped in ways that don't draw suspicion until you get it in your car.
-Some batteries use base pinch blocks as hold down clamps, others do not have the indent in the battery case for pinch blocks.
I recommend you take the old battery to the store, measure it side by side to the new battery. Check the position and polarity of the posts.
You will likely learn that you can either stick with your original group size, OR you can step down to a smaller size, often without any savings on the smaller battery shell.
It's an 88 model, so if you have a bargain battery, like someone is giving you one, then do your best to get it in and the see if the cables will reach the post. If it fits, then it will serve you.
#3
10-06-04, 03:24 AM
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Location: Boynton Beach Florida
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The group designation of a battery is the thing that determines the post type and orientation and physical dimensions. Your original group size is the one engineered to fit in your vehicle. Why would you want to go to a battery that either won't fit or has the wrong post arrangement to fit the car.
