Re: ihc-digest V5 #197

[<hofs@domain.elided>]

>I'm not an expert on batteries, but isn't what we're seeing a result of
>30 years of advancement in battery technology?  Now they can pack 1000
>CCA into the same package size that only permitted 400 CCA back in 1970. 
>This reserve lets us start at 0 degrees with a 5 year old battery when in
>the old days you had to replace it after about 3 years to be able to
>start when the temperature got cold.
>
>Howard Pletcher
>Howteron Products Scout Parts

Sorry about the post I just sent on brakes without changing the subject 
line. 
In regard to batteries, I have pontificated enough about batteries on 
this digest, without pushing your patience once again, but....
You don't get something for nothing in batteries. Much like life I guess. 
The higher the cranking amperage, the more plates the battery has, and 
the thinner those plates are, and the more susceptible the plates are to 
physical damage, and particularly to discharge. As a rule of thumb, if 
you leave your lights on twice and have to get a jump, a 1000 CCA battery 
is probably done for. With a lead acid battery, at this time, there is no 
best of both worlds. In my applications with the battery having to suffer 
from engine compartment heat, physical abuse from off roading, and 
occasional carelessness about shutting off interior lights or such, I 
prefer a battery made by Johnson Controls that in regard to cranking 
amperage is mid range- enough to start my Scout, but not enough to brag 
about. Maybe this battery will withstand 6 or 7 discharges, which even in 
my forgetful state, I won't reach. 

Most of you know that a huge percentage of batteries in the US are made 
by Johnson Controls or else the company with only 3 initials. Johnson 
Control's batteries, right now, are the better batteries. Check out a 
recent Consumers Reports that rated Walmarts batteries made by Johnson as 
among the best, although very cheap, and Walmarts batteries made by *** 
as among the poor, although still very cheap. It wasn't CR that convinced 
me, just reinforced what I already believed. Pep boys right now are 
selling any battery they stock for $29 (I saw in an ad yesterday), and 
you can bet they are made by Johnson or ***. Maybe some of each. My guess 
would be that one of those batteries made by Johnson would be OK. The 
more moderate the CCA, the more likely it would hold up well. I don't buy 
Pep Boys, or Walmarts, but get Johnson Control batteries from my parts 
house.  

Anyone towing trailers as long as I have been, plus having the experience 
gained through a lot of winching, either learned a lot about batteries, 
or was extremely lucky, or spent a lot of dark nights in his trailer or a 
lot of time waiting for someone to come up the canyon to offer a hand. 
What kind of a battery do you put into your vehicle for use with a winch? 
A battery capable of putting out a 1000 cranking amps for 5 minutes, or a 
battery capable of putting out 500 amps for 15 minutes while still being 
able to be charged up 6 or 7 more times? Winch or no winch, amp hours 
available from a battery is a much more important marker to look for than 
CCA. Amen. 
John

John Hofstetter  "Ol'Saline's Web Site" www.goldrush.com/~hofs
Life Member, National Rifle Association     California Rifle and Pistol 
Asc.
Member, Sierra Macintosh Users Group  Member, MacTwain Macintosh Users 
Group
Charter Member, FRIENDS OF DEATH VALLEY   Member, Blue Ribbon Coalition
Life Member, Association of California School Administrators
Owner of 79 Scout Terra "It's a legend"