What battery amperage do you run in your Charger? (no problem just asking)

[Ghoste]

I'm curious because I'm walking around the shop and I notice that a lot of the musclecars have had batteries installled with a cranking amperage that I'm sure is well beyond the factory specs whereas a lof of the sports cars have ones that seem about right for the car and the big dollar classics have the tiniest ones they can seem to get away with.
What was stock on our cars 600, 650 amps something like that?  Maybe 750 on a Hemi or Six Pack car?   Does a big block Camaro need a 900 amp battery?  Does a 383 Charger?
Do you tend to keep your own close to stock or throw a big one in it?  Or smaller?  Why?

[Troy]

I always throw the biggest one I can in there. I think stock was something ridiculous like 325-350. Mine are all 750-825 at the moment. With the way my cars run sometimes I need all the extra capacity I can get! The fuels these days tend to evaporate/boil so it takes a bit of extra cranking to get started when it's hot outside. Plus, any added electronics put additional load on the system. Twice now I've had alternators fail at night when I've been on road trips and my big ol' batteries have saved the day.

Troy

[Ghoste]

There's a good set of reasons I hadn't considered. 

[resq302]

I agree.  I always try and put the biggest possible one I can in there just to have that extra reserve if needed.  I know my truck I upgraded to the Megatron Plus which puts out something like 250 cca and the truck seems to turn over a lot faster than what the factory battery did.

EDIT - the Megatron Plus puts out something like 250 cca MORE than the stock battery which was something like 750 or whatever.

[Cooter]

750-1000 CA. Interstate.

[AirborneSilva]

850 - 1000 CCA.

[Nacho-RT74]

take in mind this:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62772.0.html

a bigger batt upgrade will demand be accomplished with some other stuff.

[AirborneSilva]

take in mind this:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62772.0.html

a bigger batt upgrade will demand be accomplished with some other stuff.

So then you are saying that if you have a big amp battery you should also have a high output alt?

[moparstuart]

 oriellys here locally sells a 78 amp and a 95 amp  alternator 



I think our cars came with 60 amp factory 

[hatersaurusrex]

This will sound wierd, but I used to use a pair of deep cycle Optima marine batteries on my trail rig.  They're expensive, but if you need something to get you past a broken alternator on a cruise night I can't think of anything better.   Trail guys use them because there's usually a welder or something onboard for emergency repairs or a winch that might need to run if the motor's stalled out.   Usually great CCA and a lot of reserve power because they're chemically different.  IME they last longer too.

Also most of the Optima's are sealed, so if you do sidewheelies in your GL you won't spill anything

[Ghoste]

Side wheelies.  

[Nacho-RT74]

take in mind this:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62772.0.html

a bigger batt upgrade will demand be accomplished with some other stuff.

So then you are saying that if you have a big amp battery you should also have a high output alt?

yes... or live with get allways a batt being drained and never fullly charged back. The system will be allways getting loaded without need

IMHO, better get a high output alt and small amp batt than backwards.

Rememeber what I have allways said: as far you don't increase the iddle output able to feed all the car or most as posible, the charging system will suffer, specially with amm, the high overloads when revving up to try to get back the natural battery balance.

I'm running 900 amps batt BUT with 78 amps alt

[Nacho-RT74]

I think our cars came with 60 amp factory 

just if AC and that's with luck

[tan top]

 i always get the largest  black battery  that fits , with the terminals/posts  round the correct way , think its a 850ccA  now  ,  had a 750cca lasted 7 years  before ,

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I got the largest case....with the smallest battery  

PC 925 Specs:

925 cranking amps for 5 seconds
870 cranking amps for 10 seconds
765 cranking amps for 20 seconds
Short circuit current over 2400A
28 amp hours
50 minute reserve capacity with 25amp load
Female brass terminal w/M6 SS bolt
Length 6 15/32"
Width 6 7/8"
Height 4 7/8"
Weighs 24 lbs

[BrianShaughnessy]

9 year old Optima Red Top group 34  800.

[c00nhunterjoe]

1000 cca, 31 series industrial battery. I have no cranking issues.

Nacho, where did your info come from regarding the battery to alternator ratio? The battery will only put out the amperage the electrical system demands. An underrated battery will cause a voltage drop which will INCREASE in amp draw. That is what will burn things up.
    My dozer at work has 4 750 cca batteries in it but only a 70 amp alternator. If your theory is correct it should have burnt up years ago.

[Nacho-RT74]

wait... I'm talking about having the ammeter in line yet, AND, a non iddle charge issue which having a Mopar alternator is tipìcal. Everytime you rev up the engine will put out the load at max, so the load coming and going. Having a Mopar alt yet will require a higher output as posible, which are usually 78 amps in "stock" form

and of course bypass bulkhead or get parrallel wires to save the weak terminals.

without ammeter and having a more efficient alt, this is not something to consider

[Ghoste]

Interesting.  I like what Chris did too btw.

[resq302]

Interesting.  I like what Chris did too btw.

A lot of people have started doing that.  Best of both worlds in my opinion.  Stock appearing, yet able to change out the battery with newer technology and more cranking amps.  Plus the whole weight saving thing too!

[firefighter3931]

I have an AGM Odyssey with 1500 CCA 


Ron

[resq302]

Good grief Ron.  You trying to start a turbine engine with that battery?