I found a bigger battery to fit in my 1991 Acty. Its about 1" wider than stock, what should fit real tight. Problem is is rated at double the cranking amps (495 vs 250) and the guy at the battery shop told me that doubling the cranking power might wreck something because the system was not designed for the that much cranking power. Not to sure what to do, as the stock YUASA battery is wimpy at anything below -20C. I want more cranking power, but I find it hard to believe how a battery that is only 1" wider than stock has that much more power...? What battery are you guys running? Any running something different than stock? Thanks!
If the battery will fit, you will be fine. The only battery properties that matter for electronics are wrong voltage or reverse polarity. Since all car batteries are 12V, you're OK. Just don't hook it up backwards
Wouldn't be any different than when you have to give it a jump from another vehicle. The starter is only going to draw the amps it draws whether it hooked to a 250 amp battery or a 600 amp battery. Just don't extend the cranking time more than the normal 15- 30 seconds max. I've found that on my Honda that one pump on the accelerator before cranking helps a lot when it really cold.
seems weird the battery guy was so worried about this. this is a specialty battery shop but the guy I was talking to just got pissed when I wanted to put something else other than stock in. Are any of you guys running bigger batteries?
Yes, I am running a larger battery. As long as you weren't going to put in a 24V Land Rover battery, the shop guy's worrying about nothing, don't let him stress you out.
I installed a 450 CCA battery in my 1992 Acty. It is working great. It is dimensionally a little bit larger than the original battery and I was not able to use the original battery holdown hardware because there is no space at the front and back of the battery for the rods. Currently, I am just using a nylon strap around it, but I'll devise something better when I find the time. The main issue was that with the larger battery, the positive post gets a little close to the battery box and cover. And the last thing you want is for the battery to short out to the chassis. For now, I simply wrapped a bunch of leather around the cable end and zip tied it down real well. But I think I am going to make a new battery box with more room for the larger battery. The bottom of my battery box is in pretty rough condition anyway from battery acid being spilled in it, so a new battery box is probably a good idea anyway.
I cut off the stock battery box and welded my own bracket in its place, then bought a marine battery box and use a full size car battery in place of the stock one. It's a crappy pic but you get the idea.
I just went and checked what I put in mine last year and it's 410 cca lawn and garden battery. It's a little thicker fron to back than the original 275 cca battery but I didn't get the original hold downs or cover with the truck. I tapped the 4 corners of the box and made a stainless steel cover with some self adhesive foam stuck to it. Holds the battery from moving around just fine. I also cut the original cable ends off, crimped and soldered new ring terminals.
The guy at the battery shop is an uneducated knob. I put the largest battery into my truck that would fit (don't recall specs), it does improve my cranking a bunch... I do continue to have some starting issues but those are unrelated to my battery/charging system. z
Battery If you live where it gets cold -20c or colder the best option is to a larger battery box and put a standard car battery in it. Also switch to synthetic in the crankcase as it doesnt turn to syrup when it gets cold.
